16 Hanukkah celebrations and ceremonies taking place in NYC this year
Image courtesy of Chabad West Village
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.
Image courtesy of Chabad-Lubavitch on Flickr
Prospect Park
Grand Army Plaza
Located at Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn’s largest menorah has been towering above Prospect Park since 1985. Built by Rabbi Shimon Hecht, Prospect Park’s menorah has been competing with Rabbi Shmuel Butman’s Central Park menorah for decades, both claiming to be the “world’s largest.” The first night’s celebration will begin with live music and other festivities. Please note, the schedule for Central Park has not been released yet.
- Sunday, December 18 – The kickoff concert event begins at 4:00 p.m.
- Monday, December 19 at 6:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, December 20 at 6:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, December 21 at 6:00 p.m.
- Thursday, December 22 at 6:00 p.m.
- Friday, December 23 at 3:30 p.m.
- Saturday, December 24 at 7:15 p.m.
- Sunday, December 25 at 5:00 p.m.
Fifth Avenue Menorah Lighting
J.J. Byrne Playground, Corner of 4th and 5th Avenues
December 18 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Celebrate the first night of Hanukkah with the residents of Park Slope alongside games, treats, and live music hosted by the Park Slope Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) and Chabad of Park Slope. The event is free and open to everyone.
Chanukah on Ice
Wollman Rink, Central Park
December 19 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Grab a pair of skates and glide beneath the menorah light in Central Park this Chanukah. Hosted within Central Park’s Wollman Rink, this special event includes live entertainment, special guest appearances, and the lighting of a giant, hand-carved ice menorah. Entry comes with complimentary kosher food, including classic Chanukah eats like sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts) and latkes. Tickets can be purchased online for $28, and cost $35 at the door.
Image courtesy of Chabad West Village
Abingdon Square Park
December 18 at 5 p.m.
Located in Abingdon Square Park, the Chabad of the West Village’s Chanukah celebration is returning for another year. This year’s event will feature jazz band Sammy Miller and the Congregation, donuts, latkes, hot soup, and entertainment for kids. The parachute gelt drop, a fan favorite, will be returning this year as well. You can RSVP for the celebration here.
The Seaport
The Ice Rink at the Seaport & the Heineken Riverdeck at Pier 17
December 18 from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Hosted by the Jewish Learning Experience, Chabad of Wall Street, and the Howard Hughes Corporation, the Seaport’s own Chanukah celebration will begin at the Seaport Ice Rink before proceeding to the north side of Pier 17. The rink will feature live music by local artists and a children’s choir, and a variety of family-friendly activities, including arts and crafts, face painting, an ice menorah carving, and traditional Jewish treats.
The celebration will move to Pier 17 at 4 p.m. where the Seaport’s new menorah designed by Moully Art will be unveiled and a traditional lighting ceremony will take place. Entry is free, but you can RSVP here to confirm attendance.
Hanukkah Art Mix at the Jewish Museum
1109 5th Avenue at 92nd Street
December 18 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The Jewish Museum is hosting a celebration to mark the first night of Hanukkah, complete with a slew of arts and crafts activities. The event includes drawing, printing Hanukkah cards, and more. The event is free with museum admission. Reservations are recommended for those interested in attending.
Image courtesy of Chabad of Dumbo
Chanukah at Jane’s Carousel
Jane’s Carousel, Brooklyn Bridge Park
December 20 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Chabad of Dumbo and the Dumbo GAN preschool are hosting a family-friendly Chanukah celebration at Jane’s Carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Activities include free rides of the carousel, arts and crafts, and an ice menorah lighting at 4:30 p.m. The event is free, but the organizers suggest a $20 donation per family. You can reserve a spot here.
Chanukah Festival: Light Up Your Life!
1395 Lexington Avenue
December 18 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The Bronfman Center for Jewish Life is hosting its own Chanukah celebration, including fun activities and traditional eats. This family-friendly event includes dreidel spinning contents, Hebrew letter yoga, art projects, face painting, and more. The festival will end with a lighting of the menorah. Register here for free.
Kings Bay Y Hanukkah Celebration
3495 Nostrand Avenue
December 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Kings Bay Y is hosting its annual Hanukkah celebration, which includes inflatable rides, live music performances, raffles, carnival games, arts and crafts, and more. There will also be a station for making donuts. Admission is free, and you can reserve a spot here.
Dreidels and Donuts: A Hanukkah Celebration
Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, 30 West 68th Street
December 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The Stephen Wise Free Synagogue is inviting families to come and take part in arts and crafts, sing and dance, spin dreidels, and enjoy potato latkes and doughnuts. Families with children ages five and under are free, and families with older children must pay $25 each. Tickets can be purchased here.
Klezmer Hanukkah Celebration
Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, 58 Seventh Avenue
December 18 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Join the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music’s Community Klezmer Band in celebrating Hanukkah this year. Led by Ira Temple, the band will be playing traditional Jewish music and invite guests to bring their own instruments to jam! Tickets are free and you can RSVP here.
Eldridge Arts & Learning: Chanukah
Museum at Eldridge Street, 12 Eldridge Street
December 18 at 10:30 a.m.
The Museum at Eldridge Street is celebrating the Jewish Festival of Lights with a retelling of the Chanukah story, the singing of holiday songs, and arts and crafts activities like creating colorful handprinted menorahs. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $8 for children.
Chanukah Celebration at Atlantic Terminal Mall
139 Flatbush Avenue
December 20 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The Chabad Jewish Center of Prospect Heights is putting on a special Chanukah celebration within the Atlantic Terminal Mall. The event includes arts and crafts for kids, donut decorating, balloons, face painting, live music, latkes, and a menorah lighting. Entry is free and you can RSVP here.
Image courtesy of Dinah Brooklyn
Chanukah at Carroll Park
Carroll Park, Smith and President Streets
December 20 at 5:30 p.m.
Dinah is hosting its second annual Chanukah celebration at Brooklyn’s Carroll Park. The event includes live music, hot latkes and donuts, fire juggling, and much more. You can RSVP here.
Temple Emanu-El
1 East 65th Street
Temple Emanu-El, one of the largest synagogues in the world, is hosting a variety of events in celebration of Chanukah. At both its Upper West Side and Downtown location, the temple has fun activities and celebrations suitable for guests of all ages.
- An Everlasting Light
Temple Emanu-El’s Streicker Center
December 14 at 6:30 p.m.
The temple’s Streicker Center will host An Everlasting Light, a music celebration of Chanukah featuring Grammy award winners Anthony Roth Costanzo and Angel Blue, as well as The Knights and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus. The concert will also include selections from Handel’s oratorio on Chanukah themes and some of his renowned arias. The event is free and will be hosted both in-person and virtually. You can register here. - “The Night Before Christmas” Chanukah Party
TAO Downtown, 92 9th Avenue
December 24 at 8 p.m.
Hosted at the popular nightclub Tao Downtown, the night will feature an Asian food buffet, unlimited premium open bar, and dancing alongside live performances by DJ Ann Streichman and rapper Kosha Dillz. The event is only open to those ages 21 to 39. Tickets cost $45 and can be purchased here.
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