Hanukkah celebrations in and around Washington, DC

Hanukkah begins November 28 this year! There are several ways to get festive in our area from menorah lightings to family Hanukkah parties to ice skating! Edible DC has an amazing round-up of places to get food for your holiday.

Now through Dec 7: Military Mitzvah Chanukah Card Project
PJ Library and The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington are partnering to share a wonderful opportunity with you to send Chanukah greeting cards to Jewish military members and veterans! Sign up to mail your cards by December 7^th.

Nov. 19 – Jan. 2: Winterfest production at Adventure Theatre
Get three shows for the price of one! Adventure brings favorites from the digital Jingle in July festival to the live stage. The shows are: Uri & Ora Light the Menorah, Connection & Cranky Penguin.

Nov. 26 – Jan. 2: Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins at The Puppet Co.
Hershel just wants to celebrate Hanukkah with the community, but the Queen and King of the Goblins have forbidden the lighting of the candles. Can Hershel save the day and lift the curse for this shtetl (village)? Join during Hanukkah (November 28 – December 5) to take home a special gift.

Nov. 28 from 3:15pm – 5:45pm: National Menorah Lighting
The annual lighting ceremony of the National Chanukah Menorah, on the Ellipse, just across from the White House, helps launch and strengthen the celebration of “Chanukah – Festival of Lights” in all 50 states and over 100 countries globally. The National Menorah is honored to have the presence of the Military Bands of the Military District of Washington perform at the lighting ceremony, often accompanied by a celebrity Jewish artist. Prominent guests including the President, Vice President, members of the Cabinet, Congress and the diplomatic corps, as well as numerous senior Administration officials and international dignitaries and celebrities have participated in the ceremony. The event creates much joy and celebration throughout the entire Washington community and beyond. Music, food, entertainment and the “National Essay Winners” are main attractions of the National Menorah Ceremony.

Nov. 28 – Dec. 6 from 5:00pm-6:00pm: The Wharf Lighting of the Menorah
The Wharf is continuing the annual tradition of lighting the menorah in District Square for each night of Hanukkah. Come to The Wharf to celebrate the Festival of Lights.

Nov. 28 at 5:30pm: Chanukah Festival in Old Town, Alexandria
Join us as we celebrate the holiday of Chanukah! Enjoy delicious pre-packaged Latkes, hot cocoa, pre-packaged donuts and more!

Nov. 30 at 6:00pm: Light Up Arlington
Experience the festival of lights at Clarendon Menorah Lighting and Community Celebration when they light a giant 9 foot Menorah. Enjoy delicious hot potato latkes (pre-packaged), hot cocoa, donuts, (pre-packaged), chocolate gelt and dreidels for all. There will also be lively Chanukah music!

Dec. 2 from 5:30pm-8:00pm: Chanukah Party for Jews of Color & the Families
Please join for an evening in the EDCJCC parking lot to celebrate Chanukah in fellowship with Jews of Color and multiracial Jewish and interfaith families in the DMV. It may be chilly outside, but latkes, candle-lighting, music, activities for a wide range of ages (tweens and teens welcome!), and friendly conversations will keep us warm. 🙂 Bring your coat and yourself, and join us for a festive opportunity to be together and get to know other Jews of color and multiracial families — Jewish, Jew-ish, interfaith, and everything in between.

Dec. 2 from 6:00pm-8:00pm: Lights & Ice: Hanukkah Skate Night
Celebrate the Festival of Lights at the Canal Park Ice Rink with the Capitol Riverfront BID! Free skate rentals will be offered to the first 100 attendees to slip and slide around the outdoor menorah along with free donuts plus dreidel and gelt giveaways.

Dec. 2 from 6:00pm-8:00pm: Chanukah on Ice
Skate with family and friends at the Pentagon Row Ice Rink. There will be a free raffle and the lighting of a giant 6ft Menorah. There will be hot latkes, kosher hot dogs and refreshments.

Dec. 4 10:30am (Brunch), 11:30am (Concert): Boogie-Woogie Klezmer Brunch with The Music Pilgrim Trio & Daryl Davis
Klezmer brunch is back and family friendly this December! Music lovers of all ages are welcome to join us for Boogie-Woogie Klezmer Brunch with Seth Kibel paired with the Music Pilgrim Trio & Daryl Davis. There will be concert seating for those who want it, but children will not be expected to sit quietly — dancing is encouraged! $25/person for concert and brunch; $15 for concert only; children 7 and under are FREE

Dec. 4 at 11:00am: City-State Brewing Story Hour: The Ninth Night of Hanukkah
Erica is the author of numerous early-reader books, chapter books, middle grade novels and picture books, including the festive and inspiring The Ninth Night of Hanukkah, which follows siblings Rachel and Max as they navigate their first Hanukkah in a new apartment.

Dec. 5 from 10:00am-11:00am: Family Chanukah Party
Happy Chanukah! Join at the EDCJCC for a fun morning celebrating Hanukkah. There will be arts and crafts, music, science and a community service opportunity. This program will take place in the JCC parking lot and inside the building.

Dec. 4 from 4:30pm-6:30pm: Hanukkah Party at The Lane
The Lane loves a party and there’s no better reason to celebrate than the festival of lights: Hanukkah! Join the party in partnership with The Micah Storefront Project for a Hanukkah party with latkes, donuts, dreidels, and singing with Rabbis Josh Beraha and Stephanie Crawley! Sign up here.

Dec. 5 from 5pm-6pm: Community Menorah Lighting
It’s Chanukah time – and they’re bringing the celebration to you! Join as they light the candles, sing songs, enjoy entertainment, spin the dreidel and more!

Dec. 10 at 6:30pm: Chanukah Havdalah in Pajamas
Join PJ Library, Berman Hebrew Academy, Kehilat Pardes, and The Jewish Federation to celebrate how to bring more light into the world with Chanukah (the Festival of Lights) and Havdalah. After a warm, spirited Havdalah ceremony to end Shabbat, we’ll create our own lanterns for a lantern walk!

Dec. 11 from 1:00pm–2:30pm: The Great Hanukkah Escape
Join the CESJDS STEM Center for Hanukkah! Families will work to solve puzzles to celebrate the joy of Hanukkah! *Ages 3-10, must be accompanied by an adult.

Dec. 13 at 4:30pm: Chanukah with Grandfriends Zoom (link sent after registration)
Join a virtual, multi-generational event for PJ kids and their “grandfriends” to celebrate the Festival of Lights with stories, a de-light-ful craft project, and games. Register by December 7^th to receive the project materials in the mail. Registration opens 11/17. This is a collaboration of PJ Library, Bender JCC, Edlavitch DCJCC, Pozez JCC’s Growing Jewish Families, HoneymoonIsrael, and The Jewish Federation of Great Washington. $8/screen, which includes project materials mailed to you.

Dec. 18 from 3:45pm-5:15pm: National Menorah Lighting
Musical performances, special guest and the lighting will occur on the Ellipse. Register to attend at link above.

Dec. 18 at 5:30pm: Northern VA Night of Lights
Join a family-oriented, community-wide candle lighting event featuring holiday-themed activities, including latkes, dreidel playing, doughnuts, kids crafts, music, a photo booth and more!