Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights that remembers the miracle of lamp oil lasting for eight days, is celebrated this year from December 22-30. Here's our list of the best events to celebrate Hanukkah, or learn about Jewish culture, from menorah lightings to musical performances and yummy foods. Experience Hanukkah in New York City regardless of your county, be it Westchester, Rockland, or Bergen County, NJ. Also check out our roundups for Hanukkah events on Long Island and in New York City.
Hanukkah Celebrations in Westchester County
FREE Chanukah Celebration
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 8, ages 3-5: 9:30-10:45am; ages newborn to 2: 10:45-11:45am
WHERE: Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester, 2125 Westchester Ave. E., Rye
AGES: Newborn to 5
WHAT: Your little maccabees will celebrate Chanukah, the festival of lights, through crafts, games, and the story of Judah Maccabee. Call to RSVP or e-mail Tal at tdrori@c-e-w.org. Free and open to the public. Followed by Young Families Committee Chanukah Celebration at 10:45am.
WANT TO GO? 914-967-4382 x12. http://www.congregationemanuel.org.
FREE Young Families Chanukah Celebration
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 8, 10:45-11:45am
WHERE: Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester, 2125 Westchester Ave. E., Rye
AGES: Newborn to 5
WHAT: Latkes, games, crafts, and music! After a fun, musical service the Chanukah candles will be lit in celebration of the festival. Free and open to the public. Call to RSVP or e-mail Jane at jdubro@c-e-w.org. Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester is committed to helping young families begin their Jewish journeys. Bring your children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren- any little one who is special in your life. All Young Families Committee events are free and open to the community and are appropriate for ages 6 months through 2nd grade. Start the story of the next generation. Proudly funded by the UJA Federation.
WANT TO GO? 914-967-4382 x21. http://www.congregationemanuel.org.
FREE Chanukah Party!
WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 11, 4pm
WHERE: The Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate the Festival of Lights with dreidel games, a Chanukah craft, and some sweet treats!
WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. https://fieldkids.wordpress.com/.
FREE Holiday Crafts
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 14, 11am
WHERE: The Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill
AGES: 2-12
WHAT: No matter what holiday you celebrate, the library has got a craft for you! Make a festive craft for Chanukah, Christmas, or Kwanzaa. All ages are welcome!
WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. https://fieldkids.wordpress.com/.
FREE Chanukah Party Open House
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 15, 2-4pm
WHERE: Camp Pinebrook, 1000 Pinebrook Blvd., New Rochelle
AGES: All
WHAT: See the facilities and enjoy bouncy castles, carnival games, face paint, fun, food, and more.
WANT TO GO? 914-235-1800. www.tinr.org/events.
Lots of Latkes
WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 18, 5-7pm
WHERE: Congregation Sons of Israel, 300 N. Broadway, Nyack
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate Hanukkah with dinner including Israeli salad, Falafel, pitas, donuts, juice/water/soda and of course…lots of latkes with applesauce and sour cream! There will also be a fun craft activity available.
WANT TO GO? $18; free for kids; additional fee for craft activity. 845-358-3767. csinyack.org.
FREE Chanukah City
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 22, 1-4pm
WHERE: Ridge Hill, 1 Ridge Hill Blvd., Yonkers
AGES: All
WHAT: The annual Chanukah Village event is moving to Ridge Hill! Kick-off the holiday with one of Westchester’s biggest holiday tradition as Ridge Hill is transformed into a magical Chanukah Town complete with rides, music and entertainment, crafts, seasonal refreshments, and even a “gelt drop.” Enjoy the world’s first Virtual Reality Chanukah experience, have fun with the Inventor Mentor, watch a show by Mario the Magician, and build a clay Chanukah Town sculpture with the ClayCenter! And there’s more! A holiday train ride with Judah Macabee, balloon sculpting, 3D printing and robotics, Kosher food truck, glitter tattoos, latkes, just to name a few!! Come celebrate, have fun and enjoy the Menorah lighting at the end of the day.
WANT TO GO? 914-693-6100. www.chanukahtown.com.
FREE Hanukkah Festival of Lights Celebration
WHEN: Monday, Dec. 23, 5pm
WHERE: The Westchester Mall, 125 Westchester Ave., White Plains
AGES: All
WHAT: Families will be treated to songs, arts and crafts, giveaways, and sweets! Cantor Chanin Becker will be leading with songs and Rabbi Jeffrey Brown and Rabbi Ilyse Glickman, from Temples Tremont and Emanu-El, will lead the prayer to light the Menorah.
WANT TO GO? 914-683-8600. https://www.simon.com/mall/the-westchester/stream/hanukkah-the-festival-of-lights-celebration-6151101.
The Magic Dreidels
WHEN: Dec. 26-30, Thursday, 2pm and Monday, 11am
WHERE: White Plains Performing Arts Center, 11 City Place, 3rd Floor, White Plains
AGES: 2-5
WHAT: Created for children and performed by adults, this show is fun for the whole family! When young Jakob meets a goblin who offers him dreidels that work miracles, the town busybody becomes jealous and Jakob's father lays down the law. Luckily, the holiday works its own magic as the boy and others learn the true meaning of Hanukkah.
WANT TO GO? $17-22. 914-328-1600. https://wppac.com/shows/the-magic-dreidels/.
Hanukkah Celebrations in Rockland County
FREE Chanukah Party
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 15, 10-11am
WHERE: Montebello Jewish Center, 34 Montebello Road, Suffern
AGES: All
WHAT: Chanukah party for children and their families including latkes, donuts, crafts, games, and more.
WANT TO GO? 845-357-2430. www.montebellojc.org.
FREE Menorah Parade
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 22, begins at 3:30pm
WHERE: 3:30pm Glen Rock (Kilroy’s Supermarket, 288 Rock Road); 4:30pm Wyckoff; 5:30pm Franklin Lakes; 6:30pm Mahwah
AGES: All
WHAT: Chabad of North West Bergen County is kicking off the 8 nights of Hanukkah with a Car Menorah Parade that will be stopping to light menorahs in Glen Rock, Wyckoff, Franklin Lakes and Mahwah. There will also be hot food, Chanukah giveaways and a ‘gelt drop’ from a ladder fire truck in Franklin Lakes. See the website for a full schedule of events.
WANT TO GO? 201-848-0449. https://www.chabadplace.org/.
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