Celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights, also known as Hanukkah – or Chanukkah.
However you spell it, it’s an eight-day celebration with an additional light added to a special Menorah (candelabra) each night.
Put these events on your calendar to celebrate the Festival of Lights. It begins at sundown on Sunday, Nov. 28, but some celebrations are starting before then.
Since Hanukkah is a family celebration, everything on our list is family-friendly.
See also
Send a Free Hanukkah e-card
Free Hanukkah Recipes
Menorah Lighting Ceremonies Around NYC
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies Around NYC
Free & Cheap Events Daily Calendar
Friday, Nov. 26, 10am
Josh & The Jamtones - The Jewish Museum
Jump to the roots-reggae-pop tunes of Josh & The Jamtones with sounds that bring the whole family to their feet. Hear re-imagined classics such as “Oh Hanukkah,” songs with a modern twist including “Hanukkah Time,” and “Let Your Lite Shine Brite” to get into the spirit of the holiday.
RSVP to receive a direct link to watch live online at the time of the premiere.
Visit the Jewish Museum Hanukkah YouTube playlist for previous concerts and art workshop videos related to the holiday.
- FREE.
Sunday, Nov. 28 through Monday, Dec. 6
ESN, Songs From the Kitchen - National Yiddish Theatre Folksbeine
National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene (NYTF) dishes up some exciting new Chanukah programming as part of their groundbreaking 107th season. ESN, a celebration of Jewish food through song and cooking demonstrations, comes to the NYTF virtual stage on November 28, 2021.
The event is free to stream and will be available to watch on the NYTF website at nytf.org/esn through Monday, December 6 — the last night of Chanukah.
The special Chanukah edition of ESN will be performed by Frank London and Lorin Sklamberg of the Grammy Award-winning Klezmatics and Yiddish singer/songwriter Sarah Mina Gordon.
View Folksbiene! LIVE and other streaming events at any time from anywhere with the new on-demand video library — featuring musical performances, exclusive interviews, instructive lessons, and more. The library is available at nytf.org/on-demand.
- FREE, with an option to donate directly to the Folsbiene.
Sunday, Nov. 28 through Monday, Dec. 6
Chanukah Family Fest - Jewish Children’s Museum
Get into the holiday spirit by designing unique Hanukkah arts and decorating a holiday doughnut. Discover the art of olive oil making in a fascinating and interactive workshop. Step into a world of wonder as you explore the museum’s unique exhibits, and help create a Hanukkah mural on a menorah.
Play session admission is $13 per person.
- Open Sunday, 10am-5:30pm; Monday-Thursday, 10am-4pm
- Jewish Children’s Museum, 792 Eastern Parkway, Crown Heights
Monday, Nov. 29
Chanukah on Ice - Central Park
This popular annual event returns to Wollman Rink in Central Park after a Panedmic pause in 2020.
The iconic parts of the event are back, including the giant Ice Menorah, skating to Jewish music and of course, traditional Chanukah donuts – there are some changes, based on the current reality.
Even though this is an outdoor event, all attendees will need to wear masks. Adults will need to either show proof of vaccination, a recent negative PCR test, or get rapid tested onsite. Boxed dinners will be distributed, and other social distancing guidelines will be in place.
This event is normally a sell-out, so get tickets now.
RSVP online: $22 admission; $30 with skate rental
At the door: $28 admission; $35 with skate rental
Wednesday, Dec. 1, 5pm
Chanukah at Jane’s Carousel
Families are invited to join the Chanukah party at Jane’s Carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park hosted by the Chabad of DUMBO and DUMBO Gan preschool.
- Ice Menorah carving at 5 pm, Menorah Lighting at 5.30 pm.
- FREE, but Suggested donation per family $20.
- RSVP here to reserve space
Friday, Dec. 3, 6pm
Chanukkah Celebration - Actor’s Temple
This temple in the Theater District was in 1917 to serve shopkeepers and nearby Garment Center workers, and is now mostly performers and others in the theater and movie business. Services are open to all, even if you can’t sing or dance, or write screenplays.
This Shabbat service is a Chanukkah Celebration with latkes, an open mic and a sign-along. With Aron Bederson and Judy Buchman, pianist Ira Nonkin, and many other performers. Come to eat, sing, laugh and celebrate!
- Latkes at 6 PM, Service and Sing Along at 7 PM, Open Mic at 8:30.
- Actors Temple is 39 West 47th St., in the heart of the Theater District
Saturday, Dec. 4, 6:30pm
Hanukkah Trivia Show - My Jewish Learning
Test your knowledge about all things Hanukkah, at My Jewish Learning’s Trivia Show with Rabbi Ben Resnick. Come for the trivia, or just to laugh!
Sign up with your name and email, for game information and Zoom link.
- FREE, but donations are accepted.
Sunday, Dec. 5, 10:30am to 3pm
Hanukkah Hunt Gallery Program - Jewish Museum
In-person drop-in program
Explore striking Hanukkah menorahs from around the world at the Jewish Museum. Embark on a playful hunt, draw your discoveries in a sketchbook, experiment with whimsical shapes, touch replicas of artifacts, and chat with Jewish Museum Educators about what you encounter in this special opportunity to see treasured works of art in person during the holiday.
The Jewish Museum’s collection of Hanukkah lamps is the largest in the world at nearly 1,050 pieces, amassed from around the world over the 114 years of the museum’s existence. The Hanukkah lamps reflect a wide variety of styles and decorative techniques, with lamps ranging from the 1500s to contemporary.
For ages 4 & Up. Free with Museum Admission: $18; $12 seniors 65 and older; $8 students; free for children younger than 18 and members
Note that The Jewish Museum has FREE admission on Saturdays
- Advance timed tickets required.
- Click here to select between 10:30am and 2:00pm for your timed entry slot.
Sunday, Dec. 5, 4pm
Cultural History of Hanukkah - Museum of Jewish Heritage
Another hybrid event - your choice of online or in-person.
Before the 1800s, Hanukkah was a minor holiday to most Jews. The status of the holiday began to change after the Civil War, when Hanukkah events for children began to be adopted. Then, in the twentieth century, Jews began expanding the celebration of Hanukkah to compete with Christmas and reinforce their dedication to Judaism.
Join this program exploring the history of Hanukkah in the United States. It’s a conversation between Jenna Joselit, Professor of History at George Washington University, and Marjorie Ingall, columnist atTablet magazine and author.
- Attend online for FREE. In-person attendance is $10.
- Register here for either in person or online.
These events in Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland and Westchester are courtesy of NYMetroParents.
Hanukkah Events - Long Island
Chanukah Experience
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 28, 4:15pm
WHERE: Chabad Center for Jewish Life, 2174 Hewlett Ave., Merrick
WHAT: Park your car at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life and join the walking parade to the Merrick Long Island Railroad Station for 12-foot Menorah lighting, latkes, dancing Rabbis, doughnuts, juggling show, and mor
- $18 suggested donation per family. Advanced registration required.
CKids Chanukah Disco
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 28, 10-11am
WHERE: Chabad of The Hamptons, 13 Woods Lane, East Hampton
WHAT: Boogie down at this glow-in-the-dark dance party complete with glowing cupcake decorating and a glowing dreidel spin-off
- Free. Advanced registration required.
MenorahCade
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 28, 3:30pm departs from Chabad; 4pm Chanukah Celebration
WHERE: Chabad of The Hamptons, 13 Woods Lane, East Hampton
WHAT: Show your Jewish pride by joining in the MenorahCade! Drive through the streets of East Hampton to Herrick Park for the grand finale Hanukkah celebration featuring Hanukkah treats, fun surprises for the whole family, and the lighting of a 6-foot-tall menorah with local dignitaries.
- Free. Call to reserve a menorah for your car.
Town of Oyster Bay Chabad: Chanukah Spectacular
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 28, 3:30pm
WHERE: Plainview Shopping Centre, 327-392 S. Oyster Bay Road, Plainview
WHAT: This year’s family-friendly event will feature vaudeville stunt act David Darwin, festive music, Hanukkah foods, such as latkes and jelly doughnuts, and classic pizza. This event celebrating the joy of Hanukkah will be an experience to be remembered. The highlight of the event will be the Grand Giant Menorah lighting. All children will receive Hanukkah gelt of one crisp dollar bill.
- Free.
Chanukah Wonderland
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 5, 9:30-11:30am
WHERE: The Chai Center, 501 Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills
WHAT: Celebrate Hanukkah with arts and crafts, games, and activities such as decorating doughnuts, sand art, finding Judah the Maccabee, and making special Hanukkah candles.
- $12. Advanced registration required.
Hanukkah Events in Westchester
Chanukah Car Parade and Menorah Lighting
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 28, 3:20pm parade line up; 3:45pm parade begins; 4pm menorah lighting and fire juggling show
WHERE: Chabad of Yorktown, 2629 Old Yorktown Road, Yorktown Heights
WHAT: Chabad of Yorktown will be hosting a Hanukkah car parade followed by a public menorah lighting at the Jack Devito Field in Yorktown. There will be a fire juggling show at the menorah lighting.
- Free. Call or register online to participate in the parade or to reserve a car decorating kit.
Community Chanukah Extravaganza: Fire on Ice
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 28, 4pm
WHERE: Dobbs Ferry Waterfront Park, 87 Ogden Park, Dobbs Ferry
WHAT: Watch the fastest ice carver in Guinness world record carve a giant Ice Menorah. Enjoy a dazzling fire show, and Epic Gelt drop and delicious Latkes and donuts.
- Free. RSVP appreciated.
Celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa December Holiday Grab and Go Crafts
WHEN: Nov. 29-Dec. 23, Monday-Tuesday, 9am-6pm; Thursday-Saturday, 9am-5pm
WHERE: Port Chester/Rye Brook Library, 1 Haseco Ave., Port Chester
WHAT: Children will be given a bag with all of the pieces they need to make a Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa craft.
- Free. Advanced registration required.
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