KIRYAS JOEL, N.Y. (VINnews) — Thousands of Chasidim gathered Monday evening in Kiryas Joel for a Lag BaOmer celebration, as travel to Israel’s traditional pilgrimage site at Mount Meron remained restricted.

The annual event, marked by music, dancing and ceremonial bonfires honoring second-century sage Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, drew visitors from across the northeastern United States.

Tens of thousands of Jews participated in tonight's Lag B'Omer bonfire in the Satmar Hasidic village of Kiryas Joel, NY.

Due to crowd restrictions in Meron, Israel, this year's Lag B'Omer event in Upstate NY was the largest in the world. pic.twitter.com/175zqUGSfU

— Joel M. Petlin (@Joelmpetlin) May 5, 2026

Attendance has grown steadily in recent years, and organizers say the Kiryas Joel gathering is now considered the largest Lag BaOmer bonfire event in the United States, led by the Satmar Rebbe Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum.

Local and state law enforcement, along with emergency personnel, were deployed throughout the area to manage crowds and ensure safety during the gathering, which continued late into the night.