The first night of Hanukkah is almost here, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate.
From menorah lightings to dining at one of NYC’s best kosher restaurants, our guide to the Festival of Lights doesn’t miss a beat. Prepare to light the eight candles, enjoy some delicious latkes, and enjoy this special time with loved ones.
Here are the best events and happenings for Hanukkah this year:
1. The Grand Army Plaza Menorah Lighting
Brooklyn’s largest menorah will be lit for Hanukkah in Grand Army Plaza this year, starting on the first night December 25th. A tradition that has spanned the NYC neighborhood for over 30 years, it’s one of the largest menorah lightings in NYC. Plus, the first night will feature a special kickoff concert at 4pm, as well as treats and gifts for children. Check out the full lighting schedule below:
- 1st Night of Chanukah, Wednesday, December 25th
- 2nd Night of Chanukah, Thursday, December 26th
- 3rd Night of Chanukah, Friday, December 27th
- 4th Night of Chanukah, Saturday, December 28th
- 5th Night of Chanukah, Sunday, December 29th
- 6th Night of Chanukah, Monday, December 30th
- 7th Night of Chanukah, Tuesday, December 31st
- 8th Night of Chanukah, Wednesday, January 1st, 2025
Where: Grand Army Plaza: Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn
2. Fifth Avenue Menorah Lighting
Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue menorah comes in at a whopping 4,000 pounds, and it has long rivaled Brooklyn’s for the most festive and largest in all of NYC. The attraction will be lit every night during the “Festival of Lights, and the schedule is as follows:
- 1st Night of Chanukah, Wednesday, December 25th at 5 pm
- 2nd Night of Chanukah, Thursday, December 26th at 5 pm
- 3rd Night of Chanukah, Friday, December 27th at 3:45 pm
- 4th Night of Chanukah, Saturday, December 28th at 6:30 pm
- 5th Night of Chanukah, Sunday, December 29th at 5 pm
- 6th Night of Chanukah, Monday, December 30th at 5 pm
- 7th Night of Chanukah, Tuesday, December 31st at 5 pm
- 8th Night of Chanukah, Wednesday, January 1st at 5 pm
Where: 5th Avenue and 59th Street
3. Hudson Yards’ Hanukkah Celebration
Celebrate the Festival of Lights at Hudson Yards with a live Menorah lighting during each night of the holiday! From December 25th to January 2nd, a massive menorah in front of The Vessel will be illuminated in the Public Square and Gardens. Learn more about the festivities on the Hudson Yards website.
Where: Hudson Yards (10th to 12th Aves, W 30 to 34th Sts)
4. Seaport’s Chanukah Menorah Lighting & Celebration
Seaport’s Chanukah programming will take place on the waterfront on December 29th from 3 pm – 5 pm! The free event will include latkes, hot chocolate, live music by the FiDi Hebrew School, arts and crafts, and the lighting of a six-foot-tall chocolate Menorah. Learn more about the event and RSVP online!
Where: Seaport District (19 Fulton St)
5. Hanukkah Family Day at The Jewish Museum
The Jewish Museum is NYC’s hub for amplifying and celebrating Jewish culture throughout the city, and this year they’re hosting a Hanukkah Family Day featuring drop-in art workshops and concerts!
On December 15th from 11 am – 3:30 pm, children and families are invited to come build holiday sculptures with a playful mix of found objects inspired by the museum’s current exhibition Ilit Azoulay: Mere Things! There will also be live music from Grammy winner Joanie Leeds.
Learn more and buy tickets here.
Where: 1109 5th Ave & E 92nd St
6. Brookfield Place’s Hanukkah Celebration
Stop by Brookfield Place on December 17th (12 – 6:30 pm), for some festive Hanukkah celebrations including performances by Shoko Nagai’s Menorahs Quartet and Michael Winograd’s Heimishe Klezmer Band with special guest Sarah Mina Gordon. Plus, there will also be drop-in art-making activities with art therapist Tova Speter! It’s completely free and you can learn more about the event here!
Where: Winter Garden at Brookfield Place
7. Hanukkah Around the Campfire at Manhattan West
Manhattan West recently introduced a new outdoor art piece in the area, an electrifying urban bonfire called Warmth by ATOMIC3.
On December 18th from 5 – 7 pm, New Yorkers are encouraged to come gather around the campfire for Hanukkah and welcome musical group Brooklyn Klezmer Trio Plus led by renowned accordionist Ilya Shneyveys for a special performance. It’s totally free!
Learn more about the event online.
Where: Manhattan West Plaza (385 9th Avenue)
8. A Goyishe Christmas to You! at Congregation Beth Simchat Torah
The 15th annual show, A Goyishe Christmas to You!, is set to return to NYC again on December 17th at Congregation Beth Simchat Torah! New Yorkers can enjoy favorite Yuletide tunes (performed with a twist) and specialty material by Jewish composers and sung by soprano Lauren Worsham, mezzo-sopranos Donna Breitzer and Rebecca Jo Loeb, tenor Alex Mansoori, baritone Joshua Jeremiah, and Cantor Joshua Breitzer. Steven Blier joins as pianist and host, alongside clarinetist Alan R. Kay.
The show will feature loads of classics includingYiddish versions of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Baby, It’s Cold Outside, amongst more. It’s hosted by the New York Festival of Song and you can learn more about the concert here!
Where: 130 W 30th St
9. Maccabees Bar
This Hanukkah-themed pop-up bar is coming to NYC on December 23rd through January 4th, and it’s serving up tasty treats and delicious themed cocktails!
Come for the latkes and stay for the drinks, like the Latke Sour (apple brandy, potato, lemon, egg white, havana, and hyde bitters) and Ocho Kandelikas (olive oil gin, honey, apricot, almond, lemon). Learn more about Maccabees online.
Where: 24 Cortlandt Alley (inside the Walker Hotel Tribeca)
10. Wechsler Center Chanukah Candle Lighting
The Marlene Meyerson JCC community center is hosting a Chanukah candle lighting on December 30th from 5 – 6 pm. New Yorkers are encouraged to stop by the lobby of the center to light candles, sing festive songs, and spin a dreidel or two to celebrate the Festival of Lights. Learn more about the event online!
Where: 334 Amsterdam Ave at W 76th St
11. Feast on latkes from around NYC
Potato latkes are always the talk of the town during the holiday, and there’s so many delicious ones to be discovered this time of year! Check out our full list of places with the best latkes in NYC here!
12. Winter Concert at the Museum at Eldridge Street
The Museum at Eldridge Street hosts a Hanukkah winter concert on the first night of the holiday (December 25th) featuring a performance from the Jazzukkah Project, a candle lighting ceremony with menorahs from the Aharon Ben Zalman Collection, which is on display in the Museum’s 1887 Sanctuary, and much more. The festivities get underway at 2pm.
Although tickets have sold out for the event, those who are still interested in snagging a spot are encouraged to arrive early, as the museum will be reserving blocks for a limited number of walk-in guests. Learn more on the museum website. Tickets for adults are $30 at the door, $20 for children 5-17, and $25 at the door for students and seniors.