New York City is about to shine a little brighter as the world’s largest menorah returns to Fifth Avenue this week, kicking off Hanukkah in truly monumental fashion. Towering 36 feet above Midtown with its glittering lights and signature golden glow, this beloved NYC tradition draws massive crowds each year who gather to watch the giant menorah illuminate the winter skyline.
If you’re looking for a magical, only-in-New-York moment to spark your holiday spirit, this is one celebration you absolutely won’t want to miss.
The World’s Largest Menorah
Inspired by a hand drawing by Maimonides of the original menorah in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, this remarkable structure was designed by world-renowned sculptor Yaacov Agam.
At a jaw-dropping 36 feet tall, it officially holds the Guinness World Record for the largest menorah on Earth–making it one of NYC’s most iconic holiday landmarks.
A New York Tradition
The tradition of lighting the giant menorah over NYC dates back to 1977 and is part of the worldwide Chanukah campaign–an initiative launched in 1973 by the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, to promote awareness and observance of the holiday across the globe.
Over the last 50 years, the Chanukah Campaign has helped revitalize celebrations of the Festival of Lights and brought the holiday into the cultural spotlight of American life.
This year alone, Chabad-Lubavitch will install more than 15,000 public menorahs in over 100 countries, including at major global landmarks such as the White House, the Eiffel Tower, the Great Wall of China, and Plymouth Rock. Rabbi Butman stated:
The Rebbe famously called America a Malchut Shel Chessed – a Nation of Kindness. May each of us be inspired by the Menorah’s light – which increases in number each night of Chanukah – to do even more in the realms of goodness and kindness, illuminating the lives of everyone personally, and of society at large.
2025 Lighting Schedule
Menorah lightings will take place every night of Chanukah–Sunday, December 14th through Sunday, December 21st, 2025.
The eight-day festival celebrates the Jewish people’s spiritual triumph over the Syrian-Greeks in 164 BCE and is observed with nightly menorah lightings, delicious holiday foods like latkes and donuts, festive gatherings, and acts of kindness.
The menorah will be assembled at the corner of 5th Ave and 59th Street across from the Plaza Hotel on Wednesday, December 10th at 8 am. This year’s full lighting schedule:
- December 14th | 5:30 pm
- December 15th | 5:30 pm
- December 16th | 5:30 pm
- December 17th | 5:30 pm
- December 18th | 5:30 pm
- December 19th | 3:45 pm
- December 20th | 8:30 pm
- December 21st | 5:30 pm
📍 Grand Army Plaza – Fifth Avenue and north side of 59th Street at Central Park
Rabbi Yossi Butman, organizer of the menorah on behalf of the Lubavitch Youth Organization, stated:
This year’s Chanukah celebrations take on even greater significance as we prepare to celebrate 250 years since America’s founding. The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson taught that the Menorah is a universal symbol of liberty, and holds an important place not only in Jewish life, but in the life of the American people.