Hanukkah

50 places to shop locally in NYC for that perfect gift

Clockwise from top left, photo credits: Beacon’s Closet, Astoria Bookshop, Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store, Friends NYC, Coming Soon NY, Michele Varian Shop

November 21, 2025

50 places to shop locally in NYC for that perfect gift

By Michelle Cohen

We do so much of our shopping online that we sometimes forget the excitement of finding the just-right gift right in front of our eyes. New York City still considers shopping a high art, and some of the best shops on the planet are just around the corner from wherever you are. You’re sure to find a treasure for everyone on your list from the local shops below.
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How to spend a perfect holiday afternoon in Central Park

A snow day in Central Park last year. Photo courtesy of the Central Park Conservancy.

December 19, 2024

How to spend a perfect holiday afternoon in Central Park

By Lidia Ryan

Is there anywhere more magical than Central Park during the holidays? With Christmas and Hanukkah beginning on December 25, take some time and appreciate the peaceful feeling of a day in the park before the rush of parties and gift-giving commences. Read on for our idea of a perfect holiday afternoon in Central Park.
our itinerary, this way

Events & Things To Do

Credit: Brookfield Place

December 17, 2024

17 ways to celebrate Hanukkah in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

With Hanukkah coinciding with Christmas this year, New York City is transforming into a festive hub of holiday celebrations. This year, the Festival of Lights begins at sunset on Wednesday, December 25, and lasts until sunset on Thursday, January 2. Across the five boroughs, there are many ways to enjoy the eight-night holiday, from menorah lighting celebrations to live music performances. Ahead, discover ways to celebrate Hanukkah in the Big Apple, from competing giant menorah lightings to live klezmer band performances at Brookfield Place.
Find ways to celebrate ahead

Events & Things To Do

Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels

December 1, 2023

Where to order Hanukkah takeout in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

Break out the menorah and the dreidels because Hanukkah is nearly here. The Jewish Festival of Lights, which lasts eight days and eight nights, runs from December 7 to December 15 this year. Many hosts dread the preparation needed to whip together a big meal for Hanukkah, especially after cooking Thanksgiving dinner only a few weeks before. Here are some New York City restaurants that would happily take the stress out of Hanukkah this year, from a smorgasbord of Jewish culinary classics from Katz's Deli to swanky caviar potato latkes from Caviar Russe.
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Food & Dining

16 Hanukkah celebrations and ceremonies taking place in NYC this year

Image courtesy of Chabad West Village

December 7, 2022

16 Hanukkah celebrations and ceremonies taking place in NYC this year

By Aaron Ginsburg

Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, begins at sunset on Sunday, December 18, and lasts until sunset on Monday, December 26. There are a variety of events across New York City that celebrate the eight-night holiday, including menorah lighting ceremonies, arts festivals, live music, and much more. Ahead, find a way to celebrate the holiday, from the famous menorah lighting in Central Park and Prospect Park to arts and crafts at the Jewish Museum.
See the list

Events & Things To Do

Hanukkah celebration by the Young Men’s Hebrew Association at the Academy of Music in New York City, 1880, via Wikimedia Commons

November 29, 2021

100 years ago, Hanukkah was a brand-new holiday to New York

By Emily Nonko

Hanukkah is engrained into New York's holiday season, but roughly 100 years ago the Festival of Lights was big news to many New Yorkers. Look at the newspaper coverage back in the day regarding the holiday, and most "took an arms-length approach," as Bowery Boys puts it. "More than one old Tribune or World carried a variant of the headline "Jews Celebrate Chanukah," as though there might have been some doubt. A 1905 headline even informed readers that, "Chanukah, Commemorating Syrian Defeat, Lasts Eight Days." Such headlines weren't just the result of ignorance--New York's Jewish population was low through the 1800s, and even within the religion, Hanukkah has traditionally been a minor festival. But a boom in Jewish immigration from Eastern Europe and a reassertion of religious traditions in a new country completely changed the fabric of New York. Eventually, the eight-day festival of light--which commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks over 2,000 years ago--emerged as an important tradition of the city.
Here's what happened

Celebrate Hanukkah in NYC at these menorah lighting ceremonies and celebrations

Menorah lighting at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn in 2016; Credit: Chabad of Park Slope / Chabad.org

November 27, 2021

Celebrate Hanukkah in NYC at these menorah lighting ceremonies and celebrations

By Devin Gannon

The Jewish Festival of Lights starts early this year, running from sunset on Sunday, November 28 through Monday, December 6. To mark Hanukkah, several organizations in New York City are hosting menorah lighting ceremonies and events throughout the eight-night holiday. Ahead, find a celebration near you, from the rival "world's largest" menorahs near Central Park and Prospect Park to a menorah made of ice at the Seaport.
Get the details

Events & Things To Do

Where to get takeout latkes and treats for Hanukkah in NYC

Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels

November 23, 2021

Where to get takeout latkes and treats for Hanukkah in NYC

By Devin Gannon

While many families were unable to gather for Hanukkah in 2020, this year, with vaccination rates high, getting together is possible again. The Festival of Lights arrives early this year, running from November 28 to December 6. If you plan to cook a big meal for Thanksgiving just days before and don't feel like doing it all over again, there are several New York City restaurants, bakeries, and specialty shops offering takeout holiday meals and treats. Leave the latkes and lox to the professionals and place a to-go order with a local business during Hanukkah this year.
Full list ahead

Lighting of ‘world’s largest’ menorahs mark the first night of Hanukkah in NYC

Manhattan’s Menorah being lit by Danny Danon, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, in 2016. Credit: Credit: Chaim Perl / Chabad.org/ Chabad Lubavitch/Flickr.

December 10, 2020

Lighting of ‘world’s largest’ menorahs mark the first night of Hanukkah in NYC

By Alexandra Alexa

In the mid-1970s, former Chabad Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson encouraged his emissaries to build public menorahs in major cities and organize nightly lightings to increase public awareness about Hanukkah and inspire fellow Jews to light menorahs in their homes. Decades later, Chabad rabbis continue the effort in cities worldwide, but in New York, the practice hasn’t always been friendly. The tradition ended up creating a fun competition between rival menorahs in Brooklyn and Manhattan, both claiming to be "The World’s Largest." To mark the first night of Hanukkah on Thursday, both of New York City's 32-foot-tall menorahs will be lighted.
Find out the story and learn about this year's lightings

15 places in NYC to get latkes and takeout for Hanukkah

Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels

December 10, 2020

15 places in NYC to get latkes and takeout for Hanukkah

By Dana Schulz

A lot of families won't be able to get together for Hanukkah this year, but that doesn't mean you can't do a little something special for the Festival of Lights. Many local New York City restaurants, bakeries, and shops are offering amazing holiday meal packages, along with latkes, sufganiyot, chocolate gelt, and more. Ahead, we've rounded up 14 great options, many of which also ship nationally if you want to include your out-of-town family and friends.
The full list here

The 10 best holiday events and activities for NYC history buffs

By Devin Gannon

The holidays turn New York City into a bright, illuminated wonderland that even the biggest Scrooge among us can enjoy. While there are plenty of events to choose from, like alternative holiday markets and glittering art installations, many of these activities can be jampacked with tourists. For those looking to learn more about their own holiday traditions, or understand others, there are lots of low-key, educational events perfect for history buffs looking for a quieter holiday experience. Ahead, check out 6sqft’s guide to the best holiday events in New York City that come with a historical twist, from Christmas to Hanukkah to Kwanzaa.
This way for our top-10 picks

Events & Things To Do

Modern Menorahs: Celebrate Hanukkah With Design in Mind

Image via Jonathan Adler

December 6, 2015

Modern Menorahs: Celebrate Hanukkah With Design in Mind

By Susan Cohen

Tonight marks the beginning of Hanukkah, and for eight nights, Jews will be celebrating by lighting menorahs of all shapes and sizes in their homes, as well as in public spaces throughout New York. While Hanukkah might not traditionally be thought of as a design-oriented holiday, in recent years menorahs have become more and more creative and diverse. From contemporary interpretations to dinosaur versions to express your inner paleontologist, there is a menorah out there for everyone. We put together a list of some of our favorites that you can buy, in addition to three must-view menorahs in New York City.
Check out this festive holiday list here

Hanukkah

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