In case you haven’t yet noticed, Hanukkah, Christmas, and winter break all fall at the exact same time this year. Which means that things are about to get rather busy. Over the next two weeks, parents across the New York area will be celebrating Hanukkah, looking for something to do with the family on Christmas Day when everything is closed, and searching for ways to keep the kids busy during winter break.
The great news is that there are fabulous events going on all over New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, and we’ve got them all listed right here. Happy Hanukkah!
Hanukkah begins on Saturday evening December 24, 2016 and ends at sundown on Sunday, January 1, 2017.
Brooklyn | Long Island | Manhattan | Westchester
Brooklyn
Hanukkah Shabbat Service & Dinner
Sing, dance, listen to a story, and enjoy a delicious Shabbat dinner with latkes and jelly donuts. RSVP required.
Bay Ridge Jewish Center, Fourth Ave & 81st St
Friday, Dec. 23, 6:30 – 9 p.m.
Grand Hanukkah Carnival for Children
Hanukkah carnival featuring a puppet theater, olive oil making workshop, and other activities, sponsored by Chabad of Flatbush.
Etz Chaim, 1639 E 13th St.
Sunday, Dec. 25, 1 – 3 p.m.
Kibbutznik Winter Mini Camp
A Russian-immersion vacation camp with play, singing, crafts, excursions, and outdoor play. Sign up for one day or all four. Limited space available, for ages 4 – 8 years, advance registration required.
Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, 53 Prospect Park West
Monday, Dec. 26 – Thursday, Dec. 29, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Hanukkah Art Festival
Learn about the ancient art of olive pressing, decorate your own donut, create your own canvas painting, and design a tile to be added to a giant menorah.
Jewish Children’s Museum, 792 Eastern Parkway
Sunday, Dec. 25 – Thursday, Dec. 29, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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Long Island
Hanukkah and Latkes
Listen to Hanukkah stories, sing holiday songs, and nosh on latkes. Best for ages 6 and under, sponsored by the Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore, drop-in.
Dolphin Books, corner of Main St & Shore Rd, Port Washington
Wednesday, Dec. 21, 6 – 7;30 p.m.
Chabad of the Hamptons Public Menorah Lightings
Celebrate Hanukkah with live music and the lighting of a 6-foot tall menorah and nosh on hot cocoa and donuts. Pick the date and location that works for you.
East Hampton: Herrick Park, Newtown Lane
Sunday, Dec. 25, 3 p.m.
Montauk: Kirk Park, 9 South Emerson Ave
Monday, Dec. 26, 5 p.m.
Amagansett: Amagansett Fire Department, Main Street & Atlantic Ave
Thursday, Dec. 29, 5 p.m.
Community Hanukkah Candle Lighting
Light the menorah, sing traditional prayers and holiday songs, and enjoy holiday treats. Sponsored by Congregation Beth Emeth, Temple B’nai Shalom-Beth David, and Central Synagogue of Nassau County.
Central Synagogue Beth Emeth, 430 DeMott Ave, Rockville Centre
Tuesday, Dec. 27, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Hanukkah Story Time
Wear your comfiest PJs and enjoy PJ Library stories, latkes, and a holiday-themed craft. Best for ages 4 and under, RSVP requested.
Ilene M Rubin Nursery School, 1430 Prospect Ave, East Meadow
Thursday, Dec. 29. 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
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Manhattan
Grand Menorah Lighting
Celebrate the first night of Hanukkah with the lighting of a 10-foot tall menorah, live music, and holiday treats. Free.
Chabad of the Lower East Side, South Corner of Delancey & Suffolk
Saturday, Dec. 24, 6:30 p.m.
LighTogether
An interfaith celebration of the first night of Hanukkah and Christmas Eve with candle lighting, food, stories, and songs. Organized by Lab/Shul and Judson Memorial Church, RSVP requested.
Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Square South
Saturday, Dec. 24, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
Any Way You Light It
A Hanukkah rock concert by Naomi Less, PJ Library storytelling, crafts, activities, and games. Advance ticket purchase recommended. Sponsored by Lab/Shul, Downtown Jewish Life, 14 St Y, and the Shul of NY.
City Winery, 155 Varick St
Sunday, Dec. 25, 11 a.m.
December 25th @ Museum of Jewish Heritage
Spend the day at the museum with family-friendly tours and a family concert by the National Yiddish Foklsbeine Theatre. The Lox Cafe will be open during museum hours. Tours are free with museum admission, separate ticket purchase required for the concert.
Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Pl
Sunday, Dec. 25, 10 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., concert @ 11 a.m.
Christmas Day @ Museum at Eldridge Street
A festive day of fun including tours, self-guided scavenger hunts, art activities, and a menorah lighting. Learn more about immigrant life on the Lower East Side at the 3 p.m. screening of a 1925 silent Yiddish film accompanied by live music.
Museum at Eldridge Street, 12 Eldridge St
Sunday, Dec. 25, 12 – 5 p.m.
Hanukkah Concert & Picture This!
Choose from an array of family programs including a session of the Picture This series, a Hanukkah family concert by Oran Etkin, and a Hanukkah-themed studio art session. Click here for further details.
The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave @ 92nd St
Sunday, Dec. 25, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Vacation Week Drop-in Workshop
Create a colorful family portrait inspired by a John Singer Sargent painting using an array of materials and incorporating favorite Hanukkah traditions. Free with museum admission, best for ages 3 and up.
Monday & Tuesday, Dec. 26 & 27, 1 – 4 p.m.
Thursday & Friday, Dec. 29 – 30, 1 – 4 p.m.
Downtown Lights
Join the Jewish Community Project for an outdoor Hanukkah candle lighting in Washington Market Park.
Washington Market Park, Chambers St
Saturday, Dec. 31, 5 – 5:30 p.m.
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Westchester
Hanukkah Hoopla
Celebrate the first day of Hanukkah with a pancake breakfast featuring Mickey Mouse and Olaf, a bouncy castle, balloon animals, and holiday crafts. RSVP requested, for children ages 8 and under.
Beth El Synagogue Center, 1324 North Ave
Sunday, Dec. 25, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
PJ Library Toddler Hanukkah Story Time
Celebrate Hanukkah with stories, songs, crafts, and games. Best for children ages 0 – 8.
Greenburgh Hebrew Center Synagogue, 515 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry
Tuesday, Dec. 27, 11 – 11:45 a.m.
Want to make your Hanukkah celebrations extra delicious? Check out 17 Epic Latke Recipes or these tips on making the ultimate Hanukkah cookies. And in case you need a refresher, check out these videos to learn how to light the Hanukkah candles and play dreidel. Happy Hanukkah!
Brought to you in partnership with PJ Library of New York.
