Nakba Day is observed worldwide on May 15. In Israel Nakba Day is observed on Israeli Independence Day (around the 5th day of the Jewish month of Iyar) for historical reasons: During the years of military rule over the Arab population in Israel (1948-1966) this was the only day of the year when Arabs could travel freely without permits. Families of internally displaced refugees spent this day visiting the villages from which they were uprooted and thus maintained their relationships to the places that Israel destroyed. This tradition is continued by the younger generations.

On Nakba day Zochrot holds a commemoration ceremony and participates in the Procession  of Return held by ADRID (the Association for the Defense of the Rights of the Internally Displaced) together with other groups. On the evening before Nakba Day (the eve of Israeli Independence Day) Zochrot organizes seminars and protest activities as an alternative to the public experience of Independence Day.