The countdown to Hanukkah is underway. We’ve rounded up all the cool Hanukkah parties in the Baltimore area, because there are lots of ways to start celebrating before the holiday even begins, like concerts, story times, Lego menorah building and many opportunities to eat latkes. Happy Hanukkah!
Hanukkah begins on Saturday night, Dec. 24, 2016 and concludes on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017
Mom’s Night Out
Get a jump on your Hanukkah shopping with fabulous vendors including LulaRoe, Stella & Dot, Young Living, ThirtyOne, and Beauty Counter.
Park Heights JCC, 5700 Park Heights Ave
Saturday, Dec. 10, 8 – 10 p.m.
1st Annual Hanukkah Hot Chocolate 5K
Get a workout in before you start eating those latkes and donuts. Both runners and walkers are welcome. Advance registration encouraged, sponsored by the JCC of Greater Baltimore and Hadassah.
Owings Mills JCC, 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave, Owings Mills
Sunday, Dec. 11, 9 a.m., check-in begins @ 7:30, on-site registration until 8:30 a.m.
Walters Art Museum Community Holiday Celebration
Spend an afternoon at the museum making beeswax candles and Hanukkah cards followed by a PJ Library story time and free concert by the Baltimore Baroque Band and Peabody Renaissance ensemble.
Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St, Baltimore
Sunday, Dec. 11, 12 – 4 p.m.
Hands on Holidays
Celebrate the holidays with a free story time, songs, and crafts. Best for children ages 5 and under – multiple dates and locations.
Ivy Bookshop, 6080 Falls Rd
Sunday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m.
Enoch Pratt Library, 400 Cathedral St, Roland Park
Wednesday, Dec. 14, 10:30 a.m.
Happy Birthday JTown
Celebrate JTown’s 2nd birthday with party games and crafts.
Park Heights JCC, 5700 Park Heights Ave
Wednesday, Dec. 14, Noon
PJ in your PJs 
A Hanukkah-themed PJ Library story time followed by pizza and snacks, RSVP requested.
Park Heights JCC, 5700 Park Heights Ave
Wednesday, Dec. 14, 6 – 7 p.m.
DBJCC Hanukkah Party
Head over to the Downtown Baltimore JCC for PJ Library story time, crafts, and songs.
Downtown Baltimore JCC, 1118 Light St
Friday, Dec. 16, 10 a.m.
Chanukahpalooza
Two days of family-friendly Hanukkah activities. Music, story time, face painting, balloon art, crafts, and more! Choose one or go to both!
Foundry Row, 10100 Reisterstown Rd, Owings Mills
Sunday, Dec. 18, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Hunt Valley Town Center, 118 Shawan Rd, Cockeysville
Monday, Dec. 19, 5 – 6:30 p.m.
Ner Tamid Hanukkah Party & Menorah Contest
Enter the menorah building contest, watch the Wings and Things animal show and try your hand at Scout activities led by the Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops.
Ner Tamid Greenspring Valley Synagogue, 6214 Pimlico Rd
Sunday, Dec. 18, 2 p.m.
PJ Library Pop-Up @ Yankee Doodle
Make your own Hanukkah candle, have a nut-free nosh, enjoy a PJ Library storytime, and sing some Hanukkah songs. RSVP requested but not required.
Yankee Doodle Art Studio, 11341 York Rd, Cockeysville
Tuesday, Dec. 20, 10 – 11:15 a.m.
Hanukkah Party @ Beth Israel
Build a giant lego menorah with Sir Brixalot, play Hanukkah games, eat dinner and Hanukkah treats, and play some games. RSVP required.
Beth Israel Congregation, 3706 Crondall Lane, Owings Mills
Tuesday, Dec. 20, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Family Hanukkah Bingo
Get in the Hanukkah spirit with family bingo, latkes, and pizza. Advance registration required for pizza.
Beth Tfiloh Auditorium, 3300 Old Court Rd, Baltimore
Tuesday, Dec. 20, 5:30 p.m.
Bolton Street Hanukkah Party
Potluck dinner, latke contest and other Hanukkah merriment.
Bolton Street Synagogue, 212 W. Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore
Friday, Dec. 23, 6 p.m.
Jewish Bluegrass Concert with Nefesh Mountain
A Jewish twist on Bluegrass with elements of Old Time and Appalachian music performed by Doni Zasloff (a.k.a. Mama Doni) and husband Eric Lindberg. Buy tickets in advance or at the door.
The Gordon Center for Performing Arts, 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave, Owings Mills
Saturday, Dec. 24, 8:00 p.m.
11th Annual Community Mitzvah Day
Join thousands of other volunteers and help feed the hungry, and work with other populations in need – project sites available throughout Baltimore and at both JCC’s. Check out the Jewish Volunteer Connection for exact times and locations and find one that works for you.
Saturday evening, Dec. 24 – Sunday, Dec. 25.
Mitzvah Day @ The Jewish Museum of Maryland
Decorate soup bowls and make soup kits to help feed the hungry and other at-risk populations.
Jewish Museum of Maryland, 15 Lloyd St, Baltimore
Sunday, Dec. 25, 10 a.m. – Noon
The Mama Doni Band – Hanukkah Fever Concert
World renowned kids’ entertainer Mama Doni and her band will get you grooving to their signature mix of reggae, rock, disco, klezmer, and bluegrass. Best for ages three and up and their grown-ups, buy tickets in advance or at the door.
The Gordon Center for Performing Arts, 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave, Owings Mills
Sunday, Dec. 25, 3 – 5 p.m.
Hanukkah Jewish Super Stars
Be a Hanukkah superstar and win prizes and activity badge through scavenger hunts, imaginative role play, and other activities.
JTown, Park Heights JCC, 5700 Park Heights Ave
Monday, Dec. 26, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Downtown Baltimore Family Fun Day
Keep the kids busy with breakfast, music, an age-appropriate community service project and a puppet show. Best for ages 4 and under and their families, RSVP required. Hosted by the CJE Community Connectors.
The Ritz Carlton Residences, 801 Key Highway
Monday, Dec. 26, 9 a.m. – Noon
Family Fun Day – Owings Mills
Open play, a Hanukkah puppet show, age-appropriate community service project and pizza lunch. For ages 4 and under, and their families, RSVP required. Hosted by the CJE Community Connectors.
JCC Owings Mills, 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave
Tuesday, Dec. 27, 10 a.m. – Noon
Hanukkah Musical Experience & JTown
Reenact the story of Hanukkah with props and costumes, check out the puppet Hanukkah and take home delicious holiday recipes.
JTown, Park Heights JCC, 5700 Park Heights Ave
Tuesday, Dec. 27 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Little Chefs:Sufganiyot (Jelly Donuts)
Grab the kids and head over to JTown to make sufganiyot (jelly donuts) to celebrate Hanukkah.
JTown, Park Heights JCC, 5700 Park Heights Ave
Wednesday, Dec. 28, 10 a.m.
Family Fun Day – Park Heights
Indoor open play at JTown, make your own playdoh, an age-appropriate community service project, and a PJ Library book swap. RSVP requested. Hosted by the CJE Community Connectors.
JTown, Park Heights JCC, 5700 Park Heights Ave
Thursday, Dec. 29, 10 a.m. – Noon
Hanukkah Laser Light Show
The Hanukkah story presented as a laser light show, culminating in the lighting of a giant menorah. Fun for all ages, tickets available here.
The Gordon Center for Performing Arts, 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave, Owings Mills
Thursday, Dec. 29, 7:00 p.m.
Hanukkah Tot Shabbat
Celebrate Shabbat and Hanukkah at JTown’s weekly tot Shabbat.
Enjoy a JTown Tot Shabbat with a Hanukkah flavor!
JTown, Park Heights JCC, 5700 Park Heights Ave
Friday, Dec. 30, 11 a.m.
Hanukkah Dinner @ Baltimore Hebrew Congregation
Shabbat dinner followed by a special Hanukkah Shabbat service and candlelighting, BYO menorah and candles. RSVP required for dinner.
.Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, 7401 Park Heights Ave, Baltimore
Friday, Dec. 30, 6 – 7 p.m.
JCS Hanukkah Toy Drive
Help spread joy this holiday season by donating to the JCS Hanukkah toy drive. Donate new, unwrapped toys, books, crafts, or gift cards to Target, Walmart or Toys R Us. Pick from two drop-off locations.
Jewish Community Services, 5750 Park Heights Ave, Baltimore
Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC, 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave, Owings Mills
Now through January 3, 2017
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