62 Ways to Celebrate Hanukkah With Kids in New York – Kveller
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62 Ways to Celebrate Hanukkah With Kids in New York


Get ready to spin your dreidel and light your menorah, because Hanukkah is here! We’ve rounded up all of the best ways to celebrate in the five boroughs, Long Island, and Westchester. There are Hanukkah parties, storytimes, sing-a-longs, outdoor menorah lightings, crafts, concerts, and lots of latkes, Hanukkah gelt, and doughnuts.

Want to make some Hanukkah treats at home? Head on over to our sister site, The Nosher to find recipes for all of your holiday favorites as well as fresh takes on latkes, doughnuts, and other holiday treats.

Hanukkah 2017 begins at sundown on Tuesday, December 12th and concludes at sundown on Wednesday, December 20th.

Brought to you in partnership with PJ Library in New York


Bronx | Brooklyn | Long Island | Manhattan | Queens | Staten Island | Westchester 



Bronx


Menorah Lighting Ceremony & Hanukkah Celebration

Light the menorah with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr, and enjoy holiday treats and music by Kinneret Day and Riverdale Y nursery school. All ages. Free.
Riverdale Y, 5625 Arlington Ave
Wednesday, December 13, 10 – 11 a.m.



Brooklyn

Doughnuts and Dreidels: Hanukkah Party at JCC Brooklyn Windsor Terrace  
Hanukkah party for the whole community with treats, crafts, singing with Tkiya: the Jewish Community Music Project and a volunteer opportunity with Repair the World. Free.
JCC Brooklyn Windsor Terrace, 1224 Prospect Ave (corner of Vanderbilt)
Sunday, December 17, 3 – 5 p.m.

Family Hanukkah Concert at Brooklyn Bowl  
Live music with Rabbi Dan and the New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars, latkes, dreidels, and menorah lighting. Tickets available online.
Brooklyn Bowl, 61 Wythe Ave
Sunday, December 17, 6 – 8 p.m.

Clinton Hill Community Hanukkah Celebration  
An afternoon of Hanukkah family fun with dreidels, latkes, activities, and music and movement with Tkiya: the Jewish Community Music Initiative. Free and open to all. RSVP requested.
JCC Brooklyn Clinton Hill, 309 Grand Ave
Sunday, December 17, 3 – 5 p.m.

Hanukkah Carnival
Puppet show, olive-oil making demonstration, and activity booths followed by menorah lighting, and holiday treats.
Chabad of Flatbush, 1923 Ocean Ave
Sunday, December 17, 1:30 – 4 p.m.

#BeTheLight Hanukkah Party & Toy Drive
Celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah with Fig Tree, an independent Jewish education program for kids from interfaith, interracial, and secular backgrounds, with food, wine, crafts, and games. RSVP requested. Free with RSVP.
Old First Reform Church, 729 Carroll St
Sunday, December 17, 4 – 6 p.m.

Hanukkah Party for All
Holiday fun for all ages, including games, crafts, doughnut decorating, latkes, and candle lighting.
Bay Ridge Jewish Center, Fourth Ave & 81st St
Sunday, December 17, 4 – 6 p.m.

PJ Library Hanukkah Concert 
Holiday concert featuring singer-storyteller Ira Levin. Best for ages 5 and under. RSVP requested. Free.
Union Temple of Brooklyn, 17 Eastern Parkway, 4th fl
Sunday, December 17, 3 – 4 p.m.

Hanukkah Celebration
Hanukkah fun for the whole family with a DJ, food, dreidel tournament, and family candle-lighting. Buy tickets in advance or at the door.
Union Temple of Brooklyn, 17 Eastern Parkway, 4th fl
Sunday, December 17, 4 – 6 p.m.

iMishpacha Hanukkah Celebration  
Hanukkah celebration for Russian speaking families with food, stories, free family photos, a cooking workshop, and a volunteer opportunity. Free for ages 13 and under. RSVP requested.
Kings Bay Y, 3495 Nostrand Ave (btw Ave U & V)
Sunday, December 17, 3:30 – 7 p.m.


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Long Island

Hanukkah Candle Lighting
Celebrate Hanukkah in the JCC lobby with candle lighting, treats, crafts, and songs. Free.
Sid Jacobson JCC, 300 Forest Drive, East Hills
Tuesday – Friday, December 12 – 15, 4:50 p.m.
Monday & Tuesday, December 18 & 19, 4:50 p.m..

Amagansett Menorah Lighting
Celebrate Hanukkah with Chabad of the Hamptons with the lighting of a 6-foot tall menorah, hot cocoa, doughnuts and music. Free.
Main St & Atlantic Ave, Amagansett
Tuesday, December 12, 4 p.m.

Hanukkah at Dolphin Book Shop
Stories, songs, and latkes with the Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore. For families with children ages 7 and under. Free.
Dolphin Book Shop, 299 Main St, Port Washington
Wednesday, December 13, 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Pop Up Shabbat  
A musical celebration of Shabbat and Hanukkah for families with children ages 6 and under. RSVP requested. Free.
Williston Park Library & Village Hall — 3rd fl, 494 Willis Avenue, Williston Park
Thursday, December 14, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Montauk Menorah Lighting
Celebrate Hanukkah with Chabad of the Hamptons with the lighting of a 6-foot tall menorah, hot cocoa, doughnuts and music. Free.
Kirk Park, Montauk
Thursday, December 14, 4 p.m.

Hanukkah Tot Shabbat
Celebrate Shabbat and Hanukkah with singing, dancing, candle lighting, a story, Torah parade, crafts, and dinner. For families with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. RSVP required for dinner. Free and open to all.
North Shore Synagogue, 83 Muttontown Eastwoods Rd, Syosset
Friday, December 15, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Hanukkah Service & Dinner
Community dinner and service in celebration of Hanukkah with Makom NY. Register online.
Bethpage Worship Center, Bethpage Worship Center, Bethpage
Friday, December 15, 5:30 – 9 p.m.

Friday Night Live – Hanukkah Celebration
Family rock Shabbat followed by dinner and live entertainment from comedian & ventriloquist John Pizzi from America’s Got Talent.
Temple Avodah, 3050 Oceanside Rd, Oceanside
Friday, December 15, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

PJs and Prayer 
Family-friendly prayers, songs, and activities to celebrate Shabbat and Hanukkah followed by a menorah-making contest and holiday candle lighting. RSVP requested. Free
Temple Chaverim, 1050 Washington Ave, Plainview
Friday, December 15, 6 – 7 p.m.

Hanukkah Craft Night 
Celebrate Hanukkah with Shabbat-friendly crafts, latkes, jelly doughnuts, and other fun. Activities are geared toward ages 8 and under. Free
Merrick Jewish Centre. 225 Fox Blvd
Friday, December 15, 5:45 – 6:30 p.m

Bim Bam Family Shabbat Havdalah and Hanukkah Candle Lighting  
Huntington Jewish Center, 510 Park Ave
Saturday, December 16, 5:15 – 6:45 p.m.

Holidays And Heroes
Learn about Hanukkah through food, stories, crafts, and other fun activities. Best for ages 5 – 8 years.
Sid Jacobson JCC, 300 Forest Drive, East Hills
Saturday, December 16, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Children’s Hanukkah Party 
Hanukkah celebration for all ages with crafts, stories, cookie baking, chocolate-making, and a holiday sing-along. RSVP requested.
Central Synagogue – Beth Emeth, 430 DeMott Ave, Rockville Centre
Sunday, December 17, Noon – 2 p.m.

Hanukkah Happening 
Live entertainment with Jester Jim, raffles, a free gift for every child, Maccabee Market for gift shopping and food available for purchase. Free.
North Shore Jewish Center, 385 Old Town Rd, Port Jefferson Station
Sunday, December 17, 10:30 a.m. – Noon

Stay, Play and Pray – Hanukkah 
Celebrate Hanukkah with stories, songs, crafts, and snacks. For families with children ages 4 and under. RSVP requested. Free.
Temple Chaverim, 1050 Washington Ave, Plainview
Sunday, December 17. 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Hanukkah Family Day
Make your own latkes and Hanukkah candles and finish the day with candle lighting and a Hanukkah sing-a-long. Fun for all ages. $5 suggested donation.
Suffolk Y JCC, 74 Hauppauge Rd, Commack
Sunday, December 17, 2 – 4 p.m.

East Hampton Menorah Lighting
Celebrate Hanukkah with the lighting of a giant, 6-foot-tall menorah, hot cocoa, doughnuts, and holiday music. All ages. Free.
Herrick Park, Newton Lane, East Hampton
Sunday, December 17, 3:30 p.m.

Family Hanukkah Dinner and Party
Dinner, candle lighting, crafts, and games. RSVP required.
Port Jewish Center, 20 Manorhaven Blvd, Port Washington
Sunday, December 17, 5 – 7:30 p.m.

Shira L’ Hanukkah
Light the Hanukkah candles and sing along The Broadway at Schechter Players and the Schechter AirNotes.
Schechter School of Long Island, 1 Barbara Lane, Jericho
Monday, December 18, 6 – 7:30 p.m.

HJC Community Candle Lighting
Come together for the last night of Hanukkah, light the hanukkiah (menorah) in front of the synagogue and then enjoy hot cocoa and doughnuts. Free.
Huntington Jewish Center, 510 Park Ave, Huntington
Tuesday, December 19, 6:15 – 7:30 p.m.

9th Annual World Series of Dreidels
Spin and win with a pizza dinner followed by a dreidel tournament with trophies and prizes. Advance registration required.
Mid-Island Y Jewish Community Center, 45 Manetto Hill Rd, Plainview
Tuesday, December 19, 6:15 – 8:30 p.m.


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Manhattan

Downtown

Grand Hanukkah Menorah Lighting
Festive public menorah lighting with jugglers, live music, hot latkes, balloon art, and other holiday fun with Chabad of the Lower East Side. Free.
Corner of Delancey and Suffolk
Tuesday, December 12, 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Downtown Lights: Hanukkah Candle Lighting 
Celebrate the first night of Hanukkah with the entire neighborhood, with doughnuts, dreidels, and glowing giveaways sponsored by the Jewish Community Project Downtown. Free and open to all.
Washington Market Park, 199 Chambers
Tuesday, December 12, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Hanukkah Pop-up at Ottendorfer Library 
Join Town & Village synagogue for music, creative play, crafts, and other Hanukkah fun. Free.
Ottendorfer Library, 135 2nd Ave
Wednesday, December 13, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Latkes and Love with Lab/Shul 
Celebrate the tastes, smells, and feels of Hanukkah with latke making and candle lighting with Lab/Shul’s teaching artists. For families with children ages 8 and under, siblings welcome. RSVP required. Free.
Private Home, Address Provided Upon RSVP
Wednesday, December 13, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Hanukkah Shabbat Celebration
Celebrate Shabbat and Hanukkah with a family-friendly service, holiday songs and holiday treats. All ages. Free.
The Shul of New York, 50 E 7th St, (Middle Collegiate Church)
Friday, December 15, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Hanukkah Hoopla 
Hanukkah fun for families with children ages 5 and under with PJ Library stories, crafts, puppets and singing with Ora & Yoshie Fruchter, and holiday snacks. Limited space available, RSVP required. Free.
JCP Downtown, 146 Duane St
Saturday, December 16, 10 a.m. – Noon

Menorah on the High Line 
Celebrate Hanukkah with lively music, holiday-themed crafts, hot cocoa, doughnuts, latkes, and other Hanukkah treats with New York Hebrew: Chabad Center for Jewish Discovery and Preschool of the Arts. Free.
The High Line (15th Street Porch), 450 W 15th St
Sunday, December 17. 4:30 – 6 p.m.

JCP Dreidel Spin-Off
Join the JCP Downtown Hebrew School for a dreidel design competition, games, and singing for kids in grades 3 – 6 and their families. Open to the community. All are welcome. RSVP requested. Free.
JCP Downtown, 146 Duane St
Monday, December 18, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Midtown

Havd-anukkah 
Havdalah service followed by candle lighting, crafts, dancing, singing, and movies. RSVP requested. All ages. Free.
Congregation Habonim, 103 West End Ave
Saturday, December 16, 5:15 – 7:30 p.m.

Upper East Side

Glow-in-the-Dark Hanukkah Dinner
A family-friendly celebration with glow sticks, music, latkes, and light. Register online.
92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave
Friday, December 15, 6 – 9 p.m.

Mister G Family Hanukkah Concert
A high-energy Hanukkah concert with Latin Grammy-winning children’s musician Mr. G. Buy tickets in advance or at the door. Best for families with children ages 8 and under.
The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave
Sunday, December 17, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Upper West Side

Hanukkah on Ice NYC
Ice skate to live Jewish music, nosh on Hanukkah treats and watch the lighting of a hand-carved six-foot-tall ice menorah. Buy tickets online or at the door.
Wollman Rink, Central Park
Tuesday, December 12, 6 – 9 p.m.

Hanukkah Celebration
Explore the holiday through songs, art, and open play. Best for ages 4 and under. Free.
JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave
Tuesday, December 12, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Hanukkah Fun for All Ages 
Activities for all ages including stories, movement, glow-in-the-dark crafts, dreidel games, music, and Hanukkah treats.
The SAJ (Society for the Advancement of Judaism), 15 W 86th St
Saturday, December 16, 5 – 9 p.m.

Beit Rabban’s Festival of Lights
Explore the theme of light using art, science, storytelling, music, and Hebrew language. Best for ages 2 – 5 years accompanied by an adult. Free.
Beit Rabban Day School, 15 West 86th St
Sunday, December 17, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Family Hanukkah Celebration
Celebrate the sixth night of Hanukkah at B’nai Jeshurun with songs, candle-making, dreidel-spinning and other fun. Best for ages 6 and under. Free.
B’nai Jeshurun, 270 West 89th St
Sunday, December 17, 3:45 – 4:30 p.m.

Shine Your Light: A Hanukkah Festival That Puts Your Family’s Love into Action 
An intergenerational holiday celebration with snacks, crafts, music, storytelling, and candle lighting with Romemu, PJ Library, and Tkiya: The Jewish Community Music Project.
The New Jewish Home, 120 W 106th St
Sunday, December 17, 3 – 5 p.m.

Washington Heights

Hanukkah Family Cooking Event
Celebrate the first night of Hanukkah with a jelly profiterole making session led by visiting Israeli pastry chef Lior Mashiach followed by a light dinner. RSVP requested. Free.
YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood, 54 Nagle Ave
Tuesday, December 12, 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Festival of Lights: A Hanukkah Celebration at the Y 
A community Hanukkah celebration with candle and menorah making, holiday treats, stories, and a community candle-lighting and sing-along. RSVP requested.
YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood, 54 Nagle Ave, Rm 201
Sunday, December 17, 3 – 5 p.m.


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Queens

 


Hanukkah Party
Community Hanukkah party with dreidel games, crafts, face painting, holiday music, singing, dancing, holiday-themed treats, and candle lighting.
Astoria Center of Israel, 27-35 Crescent St
Sunday, December 17, 3 – 5 p.m.


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Staten Island

 

Sadie’s Almost Marvelous Menorah 
Stories, menorah-making, and snacks. RSVP requested.
Arden Heights Jewish Center, 1766 Arthur Kill Rd
Sunday, December 10, 10:45 a.m. – Noon


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Westchester


Community Hanukkah Party
Celebrate Hanukkah with the Jewish Community Center of Harrison with games, crafts, music, and food. RSVP requested. Free.
Purchase Community House, 3095 Purchase St, Purchase
Wednesday, December 13, 5:45- 7:45 p.m.

Bim Bam Shabbat 
Get ready for Shabbat with singing, stories, and challah led by the staff of Ramah Day Camp in Nyack. For toddlers, preschoolers, and their grown-ups. RSVP on Facebook. Free.
Penny Lick Ice Cream, 580 Warburton Ave, Hastings-On-Hudson
Friday, December 15, 1 – 2 p.m.

Family Shabbat Hanukkah Celebration
Festive dinner followed by a service including live music by the synagogue band and a sing-along. Bring your own menorah. Service and activities are free, RSVP required for dinner.
Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester, 2125 Westchester Ave East, Rye
Friday, December 15, 6:30 p.m.

PJ Library Family “Shabbanukkah   
Family-friendly Shabbat service followed by a catered dinner with children’s activities and schmoozing time for the adults. RSVP requested.
Congregation Sons of Israel, 1666 Pleasantville Rd, Briarcliff Manor
Friday, December 15, 5:15 – 7 p.m.

Family Hanukkah Dinner
Join other families for a Hanukkah dinner with games, candles, latkes, and fun. RSVP required. Free.
Congregation B’nai Yisrael, 2 Banksville Rd, Armonk
Friday, December 15, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Hanukkah Palooza
Celebrate Hanukkah with games, gelt, dreidels, and latkes. RSVP requested. Fun for all ages. Free.
JCC Harrison, 130 Union Ave, Harrison
Sunday, December 17, 10:30 a.m. – Noon

Josh Nelson in Concert
Hanukkah concert with Josh Nelson. Free and open to all.
Temple Israel of Northern Westchester, 31 Glengary Rd, Croton-on-Hudson
Sunday, December 17, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Family Hanukkah Party at Scarsdale Synagogue 
Hanukkah makerspace, tzedakah projects, holiday-themed games, edible crafts, stories, sing-along, and allergy-friendly holiday treats. RSVP
requested
. Free.
Scarsdale Synagogue, 2 Ogden Rd, Scarsdale
Sunday, December 17, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Community Hanukkah Party   
Family Hanukkah fun with games, music, and holiday treats. RSVP online. Children 5 and under are free.
Pleasantville Community Synagogue, 219 Bedford Rd, Pleasantville
Sunday, December 17, 4 – 6 p.m.

PJ Library Hanukkah Story Time and Music 
Hanukkah story time and sing-a-long with Marc the Music Man. Best for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Free.
JCC of Mid-Westchester, 999 Wilmot Rd, Scarsdale
Tuesday, December 19, 10 – 10:45 a.m.


 

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