Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, begins at sundown on Tuesday, December 16 and ends the evening of Wednesday, December 24. In addition to spinning your dreidel and frying your latkes at home, here are some events throughout the New York metro area that will help you party like a Hanukkah rock star.
Manhattan:
When Mindy Saved Hanukkah Treasure Hunt
Who doesn’t love an adventure? Take the kids on a Hanukkah-themed treasure hunt in this century-old synagogue/museum and make holiday crafts and treats. $15 per family
Eldridge Street Synagogue, 12 Eldridge Street, Lower East Side
Sunday, Dec. 14, 11am-1pm
Hanukkah Family Day@ The Jewish Museum
This annual event is always a winner with activities to please everyone in the family including: crafts, performances, and the museum’s amazing collection of Hanukkah lamps. Best for ages 3 and up. Free with museum admission.
The Jewish Museum, 1109 5th Avenue @ 92nd St., Upper East Side
Sunday, Dec. 14, 12pm-4pm
Menorah Madness with Joanie Leeds & The Night Lights
The kids get to boogie to the music and create holiday crafts, and you get a family-friendly mini-tour of the museum. Because when is the last time you actually managed to tour a museum? Best for ages 3-10. $10 per person, $7 children 10 and under.
Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Place, Downtown Manhattan
Sunday, Dec. 14, 2pm
Dirty Sock Funtime Band Concert
Nosh on some latkes and rock your socks off to Hanukkah songs and other original hits.
$10/child in advance, $15/child at door — grown-ups are FREE!!
Temple Israel of the CIty of New York, 112 E. 75th Street, Upper East Side
Sunday, Dec. 14, 10:30am-12pm
The 92nd St. Y knows how to throw a party. Bring the entire family for musical performances, holiday crafts, make-your-own holiday treats, opportunities to give back, and more. $12 and up, good for all ages.
92 St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave., Upper East Side
Sunday, Dec. 14, 11am-2pm
Family & Friends Hanukkah Party
A Hanukkah show with Len Leavitt and his Levity puppets followed by snacks and family fun.
Conservative Synagogue of Fifth Avenue, 11 East 11th Street, Downtown
Sunday, Dec. 14, 1-3pm
Head on over to the Y and celebrate with music, crafts, and more.
YM/YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwoods, 54 Nagle Ave, Washington Heights
Sunday, Dec. 14, 1:30-3:30pm
Bundle everyone up for an evening of ice skating to live Jewish music and be sure not to strain your neck during the lighting of the 6-foot-tall hand-carved ice menorah!
Wollman Rink, Central Park @ 830 5th Avenue, Upper East Side
Tuesday, Dec. 16, 6-9pm
Hanukkah with the Levity Puppets
Everyone loves a puppet show! Let Len Leavitt and his puppets entertain your brood, enjoy some Hanukkah treats, and make your own puppet to take home.
$5 per person $18 max per family
West End Synagogue, 190 Amsterdam Avenue @69th St., Upper West Side
Saturday, Dec. 20, 4pm-6pm
Brooklyn
Hanukkah lights, singing with Adam Blotner, storytelling, and jelly doughnuts. What more can you ask for? Fun for all ages, free, and open to the community.
Kings Bay Y at North Williamsburg, 14 Hope Street, Suite 1, North Williamsburg
Sunday, Dec. 14, 10:30am-12:30pm
Channel your inner Maccabee and learn how to press your own olive oil, make a wick, and light a Hanukkah menorah with your creations.
Jewish Children’s Museum, 792 Eastern Parkway, Brownstone Brooklyn
Sunday, Dec. 14 & 21st, 12:30-5:30pm
Community Hanukkah Art Festival
Why just look at art when you can make it yourself? Kids ages 2-10 can participate in art workshops led by a variety of artists and organizations from all over NYC. $5 per person, no registration necessary.
Hannah Senesh Community Day School, 342 Smith Street, Brownstone Brooklyn
Sunday, Dec. 14, 1-4pm
Sit back, relax, and let the kids be wowed by face painting, balloon art, holiday arts & crafts, and an interactive concert by Oran Etkin’s Timbalooloo. $5 per person, $20 per family.
East Midwood Jewish Center, 1625 Ocean Avenue, Southern Brooklyn
Sunday, Dec. 14, 1-3pm
Long Island
Celebrate Hanukkah with activities for all age groups–including teens. While the kids are busy having fun, you can nosh on a latke and dream of summer at the Jewish summer camp fair. Free
Huntington Jewish Center, 510 Park Avenue, Huntington, NY
Sunday, Dec. 14, 11am-1pm
Celebrate Hanukkah deliciously with cookie-baking and chocolate-making along with PJ Library story time, crafts, and a sing-along. For kids in 2nd grade and younger. Free and open to the public.
Central Synagaguge of Nassau County & Congregation Beth Emeth, 430 DeMott Ave., Rockville Centre
Sunday, Dec. 14, 12-2pm
JWOW Hanukkah Extravaganza
– now @ 2 locations!
Jewish Without Wall’s annual Hanukkah party in the mall is always a blast and this year you have your choice of two locations! Free.
Smith Haven Mall, 313 Smith Haven Mall, Lake Grove
Sunday, Dec. 14, 1-4pm
Walt Whitman Mall, 160 Walt Whitman Rd., Huntington Station
Sunday, Dec. 14, 12-3pm
Family Hanukkah Sing-a-Long w/ Sifriyat Pijama B’America
Sing your favorite Hanukkah songs and learn some new ones, listen to stories, and have a snack. Free and open to the entire community.
Solomon Schechter of Long Island, 1 Barbara Lane, Jericho
Monday, Dec. 15, 5:30-6:30pm
Westchester
Latkepalooza @ Temple Beth Abraham
Finish up your holiday shopping at the gift boutique, listen to stories read by PJ Library author Leslie Kimmelman, make your own “Maccabear,” and have a holiday treat.
Temple Beth Abraham, 25 Leroy Avenue, Tarrytown
Sunday, Dec 14, 9am-1pm
Hanukkah Celebration @ the Rosenthal JCC
Kids will love participating in a re-enactment of the Hanukkah story with Jewish Drum Tales. When they are done banging on drums and shaking their noisemakers, refuel with fresh latkes and create holiday crafts to decorate your home or give as gifts.
Rosenthal JCC of Northern Westchester, 600 Bear RIdge Road, Pleasantville
Sunday, Dec. 14, 3:30-5:30pm
COJECO Family Hanukkah Celebration
Join other Russian-speaking Jewish families for a latke lunch, conversation, and fun activities for children ages 3-5 and 6-10. $18 per family.
Temple Israel Center, 280 Old Mamaroneck Road, White Plains
Sunday, Dec. 14, 12:30-2:30pm
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