Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, starts Dec. 14 and last eight nights until Dec. 22.
The holiday commemorates the victory of the Maccabees, Jewish rebel fighters, in recapturing Jerusalem’s Holy Temple in 165 BCE, according to Chabad.org, ReformJudaism.org and the University of Southern California.
On each night of Hanukkah, a candle is lit on a menorah to celebrate the historic Temple’s menorah miraculously burning for eight days, even though there was only enough oil to burn for one.
Traditional celebrations include the menorah lighting, eating delicious foods fried in oil (such as latkes or jelly-filled doughnuts called sufganiyot) and playing a game, or three, of Dreidel.
Such festivities need not be celebrated alone. There’s plenty of joyful Hanukkah events taking place in the Lower Hudson Valley. Read on for a sampling. Is there an event missing from this list? Email us at afontones@lohud.com and the list will be updated.
Westchester Hanukkah events
Westchester Children’s Museum Hanukkah Celebration
The Westchester Children’s Museum is hosting a three-day celebration for Hanukkah. On Dec. 15, 16 and 17, bring the entire family for story times at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., as well as Hanukkah-themed crafts from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Makerspace. 100 Playland Parkway, Rye, discoverwcm.org/new-events/Hanukkah.
Hanukkah at Shames Jewish Community Center on the Hudson
Shames JCC, is hosting multiple events to celebrate Hanukkah this year, including a throwback concert featuring the cast of Broadway’s “Jersey Boys.” 371 S. Broadway, Tarrytown, 914-306-9477, shamesjcc.org.
Check out the schedule below:
Westchester Jewish Center’s Community Hanukkah Celebration
Celebrate the second night of Hanukkah with a game show, menorah lighting, festive dinner and concert with Matty Roxx. Event starts at 4 p.m. Cost is $5 per person or $25 per family. Registration suggested. 175 Rockland Ave., Mamaroneck, 914-698-2966, wjcenter.org.
Hanukkah menorah lighting at Cross County Center in Yonkers
Hosted by Chabad of Yonkers, Rabbi Mendy Hurwitz will light the menorah near Macy’s at 6 p.m. Dec. 15 as part of Cross County Center’s Winter Fest. 8000 Mall Walk, Yonkers, .crosscountycenter.com.
Somers community Hanukkah festival and menorah lighting
Join the community at the Somers Town Hall (located within the Elephant Hotel building) at 5 p.m., Dec. 15, for a free Hanukkah festival featuring doughnuts, chocolate gelt, face painting and more. Menorah lighting to follow at 6 p.m. RSVP with Chabad Yorktown at ChabadYorktown.com or call 914-962-1111. 335 US-202, Somers.
Rockland County Hanukkah events
Festival of Lights Hanukkah Celebration at Nanuet Town Centre
Dance to live Hanukkah music, check out a glowing lights photo wall and more at the Festival of Lights Hanukkah Celebration. The free event kicks off at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21 on the green at Nanuet Town Centre. 5101 Fashion Drive, Nanuet, nanuettowncentre.com.
Pre-Chanukah Family Fair at Chabad of the Nyacks
Kids can enjoy crafts, games and a D.I.Y. menorah competition Sunday, Dec. 7. For the D.I.Y. menorah competition, participants should sign up in advance at chabadnyack.org/competition and work on their menorah before the fair. Competing designs will be on display at the event Sunday and winners chosen.
Light up Nyack Chanukah Celebration
Head to Hezekiah Easter Veterans Memorial Square in Nyack at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14 for live entertainment, latkes and of course, the annual lighting of the grand menorah. Hosted by Chabad of the Nyacks. Chabadnyack.org/chanukah2025.
Pearl River Community menorah lighting
Meet in Pearl River’s Braunsdorf Park at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, for a community menorah lighting to celebrate the second night of Hanukkah. Co-hosted by Chabad of the Nyacks and Beth Am Temple. Chabadnyack.org/chanukah2025; bethamtemple.org.
Celebrate with the whole family at Beth Am Temple
Reform congregation Beth Am Temple will host its Hanukkah Group Menorah Lighting service at the temple in Pearl River at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19. “Attendees are encouraged to bring a menorah and seven candles for lighting during the Shabbat service,” a spokesperson for Beth Am Temple said. “The family-friendly program with joyous music and songs will be followed by a festive Oneg with Hanukkah specialties and desserts.” 60 East Madison Ave., Pearl River, bethamtemple.org.
Piermont Community menorah lighting
Join the Piermont community at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, for the annual lighting of the menorah, along with latkes and doughnuts, as well as music. Hosted by Chabad of the Nyacks. Chabadnyack.org/chanukah2025.
Town of Clarkstown Chanukah menorah lighting
Meet at the Congers Train Station Park at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, for the annual menorah lighting ceremony, led by Rabbi Paul Kurland. Enjoy jelly donuts and hot chocolate following the ceremony inside the train station. 2 Burnside Ave., Congers, shirshalomrockland.org.
Light the menorah at Suffern Village Hall
Celebrate the first night of Hanukkah starting at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14 at Suffern Village Hall with hot chocolate and snacks. Next door, check out a showing of the animated holiday favorite “Adam Sandler’s Eight Crazy Nights” before heading to the menorah lighting. Movie tickets are $8 for seniors, veterans and children; or $10 for adults. Buy tickets online at lafayettetheatre.ticketspice.com/december-holiday-films or at the door. 61 Washington Ave., Suffern, jewishrockland.org.
(This list was updated with new information and may continue to update throughout the season.)
Contributing: USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Where to find Hanukkah celebrations in Westchester, Rockland
Reporting by Ashley Catherine Fontones, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
