Chanukah Around Town

There are so many ways to celebrate Chanukah all over the Greater Philadelphia area! Here’s a roundup of events for the holiday, which will begin at sunset on December 12th and will continue through sunset on December 20th (the eighth and final candle is lit on December 19th). Take a look — because no matter where in the region you live, something fun is in store.

Chester County Giant Menorah Lighting
Starting at 4:30 p.m.
Chester County Courthouse, 10 N. High Street, West Chester, PA 19380
Sponsors: Chabad of Chester County & Western Main Line & the Kehillah of Chester County Giant Menorah Lighting. Also: Chanukah music, doughnuts, dreidles, gelt and hot cider.
610.971.9977  |  www.jewishchestercounty.com

Chanukah at the Delaware County Courthouse
Starting 4:30 p.m.
Delaware County Courthouse, 201 West Front Street, Media, PA 19063
Lighting of the Giant Glow-in-the-Dark Menorah, Greetings from Local Dignitaries, Live Music, Glowing Chanukah Crafts, Laser Show, Latkes, Donuts, and Gelt.  Free of Charge.
RSVP: info@jewishdelco.org, 610.353.3835.

City of Philadelphia Chanukah Celebration 
Starting at 5:30 p.m.
Fairmount Fish Ladder on Martin Luther King Drive (between Eakins Oval and Sweet Briar Drive) across from Boathouse Row
Philadelphia city officials and members of the Jewish Community will host this event on the 1st night of Chanukah. MLK Drive will be shut down to traffic between Eakins Oval and Sweet Briar Drive beginning around 5:00 pm so that attendees can walk to the gathering spot across from Boathouse Row.  All Philadelphians are encourage to come out to celebrate the Festival of Lights. From Tuesday, December 12 through Tuesday, December 19, Boathouse Row will light a new house each night to symbolize the candles in a menorah.
215.686.6210 |  http://www.phila.gov/parksandrecreation

Please Touch Museum Chanukah Celebration
Starting at 9:00 a.m.
4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 19131
Enjoy a daylong program of Hanukkah-related activities for kids of all ages at the Please Touch Museum, including dreidel games, holiday card-making, story time, holiday foods, live entertainment and more. Cost: Free with admission– Adults and children 1 and older: $19. Museum hours extended until 6:00 p.m. And Chanukah Wonderland with Chabad at 4:00 pm.
215.581.3181  |  www.pleasetouchmuseum.org

Germantown Jewish Centre Celebrates Chanukah
Starting at 5:30 p.m.
100 W. Ellet Street, Philadelphia, PA 19119
215.844.1507 | www.germantownjewishcentre.org/hanukah-2017
5:30 pm – ECP Potluck Dinner; 6:00 pm – You’ll-Like-It-A-Latke Dinner; 7:00 pm – Hanukiyah Lighting with the GJC Choir; and 7:30 pm – Open-Mic Night at the Hanukah Coffee House.
Register online for Dinner and Open Mic Night:
215.844.1507 | www.germantownjewishcentre.org/hanukah-2017

Celebrate Hanukkah at Beth Israel
Starting at 6:00 p.m.
Beth Israel Congregation of Chester County, 385 Pottstown Pike (Route 100), Eagle, PA 19480
Bring your favorite menorah to light together (candles to be provided by Beth Israel Sisterhood), Play dreidel with family and friends. Fun crafts and activities for kids, Hanukkah songs with the Beth Israel Choir. Delicious latkes made by the Beth Israel Men’s Club. $15 per family (includes 1 large cheese pizza). RSVP by Friday, December 8^th: hlsimon98@gmail.com or 610.438.8550. Money due to the BI office by Sunday, Dec. 10^th.  Family, friends and non-members, welcome!

POWER Interfaith Hannukah Candle Lighting
Starting at 7:00 p.m.
Zion Baptist Church in Ardmore, 221 W Spring Avenue, Ardmore, PA
Let There Be Light! Interfaith Hanukkah Candle Lighting: Music, Prayer, Fellowship Sing-A-Long with Main Line Unity Choir and Shir Singing Circle. We gather as one sacred community bringing light in the face of darkness, by kindling Chanukah lights together we unite in our commitment to racial justice.

Happening for Hanukah
Starting at 5:15 p.m.
Congregation Rodeph Shalom, 615 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA  19123
Sponsored by the Israeli American Council Philadelphia@israeliamerican.org
Taste of Keshetot Activity—KesheTot is an innovative program in Hebrew, for families with infants and toddlers ages 1 to 4.  Families can meet and gain a deeper sense of community.  The program includes Israeli music, games, stories, art and movement flavored by Israel culture.

Yishai Lapidot and the Oif Simchas Band
Starting at 6:00 pm
KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Avenue, Philadelphia, PA  19119
Sponsored by the Israeli American Council Philadelphia@israeliamerican.org
Join us for candle-lighting, songs, special activities for children, wonderful energetic music with Yishai Lapidot and the Oif Simchas band.  Primary audience: Hebrew language speakers. Cost: $10 per person.

Annual Chanukah Celebration
Starting at 6:00 p.m.
Congregations of  Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road, Philadelphia, PA 19115
Sponsored by: Congregations of Shaare Shamayim. Enjoy latkes, donuts, applesauce and candle lighting. Entertainment with Ice Creations – Almost anything can be made out of ice! This event is free of charge- come and enjoy the evening with family & friends!
215.677.1600 | http://www.shaareshamayim.org/

Cooking with Rikki – Chanukah Edition
Starting at 7:30 p.m.
Chabad Lubavitch of Northern Delaware County, 590 Reed Road #2 Broomall, PA 19008
Jewish Women’s Circle presents a Kosher culinary course with cooking, tasting and fun! $18.
RSVP: rikki@jewishdelco.org, 610.353.3835.

Friday Night Live
Starting at 4:30 p.m.
Chabad of Chester County, 946 N. Valley Forge Road, Devon, PA 19333
A joyful celebration of Shabbat infused with song, stories and discussion, complete with diverse around-the-globe cuisine.  This week, Mexican Cuisine, Shabbat & Chanukah candle lighting and Kabbalat Shabbat.
610.971.9977 | www.jewishchestercounty.com

Glowstick Shabbat & Latke Off!
Starting at 6:30pm
Congregation Beth Or, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen, PA 19002 * 215.646.5806 *
Glowstick Shabbat Worship at 6:30pm; Family Friendly Dinner, Dancing with Rak Dan & Shreddy Potatoman’s Latke Off at 7:45pm. Beth Or is aglow with lights as we celebrate Chanukah during this special Family Shabbat service featuring the Jr. Choir.  Following services, join us for a family-friendly dinner, entertainment by Rak Dan, and the return of Shreddy Potatoman and the latke off. Bring your chanukiah to light during the pre-neg!
This event is free but advanced RSVP required by December 8.
https://bethor.org/glowstick-shabbat-latke

Whole Community Inclusion (WCI) Sensory-Friendly Chanukah Celebration
Starting at 10:30 a.m.
Ohev Shalom of Bucks County, 944 2nd Street Pike, Richboro, PA 18954
Sponsored by jkidphilly and WCI
Join us for a fun morning of Chanukah songs and activities! Supports and accommodations for every child/teen. Everyone welcome! Whole Community Inclusion is Jewish Learning Venture’s initiative that engages people with special needs and their families and supports their ability to access a range of Jewish educational experiences from early childhood through the transition to adulthood.

Hanukkah Laser Light Show
Starting at 5:30 p.m.
Beth Sholom Congregtion, 8231 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027
Sponsored by The Kehillah of Old York Road
Hanukkah Laser Light Show Includes Havdalah, Candle Lighting, and laser light show. The event is free to the community with a suggested $5 donation per individual or $10 per family to the Kehillah Magen David Adom (Ambulance) Campaign in honor of Israel’s 70th anniversary. Additional parking will be available at Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel (KI) and a bus will transfer attendees between 5:15 PM and 7:30 PM. RSVP to oyrkehillah@gmail.com.

City-wide Menorah Parade
Starting at 7:00 p.m.
Beginning at Benjamin Franklin Parkway and 22^nd Street
Finishing at Independence National Park – 5^th and Arch Street
Join Lubavitch of Greater Philadelphia for the March of Lights-The World’s Largest Car Menorah Parade, with a Special appearance by Phillies manager Gabe Kapler.  Also: Chanukah Wonderland under the “Big Top.” Face painting, balloon artist, arts & crafts for all ages, popcorn, cotton candy, live music, and juggling, dancing, traditional donuts and goodie bags for all children. Contact: 215.725.2030.

The Broken Crowns Tour Featuring Matisyahu
Starting at 9:00 a.m.
Theatre of Living Arts, 334 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Live Nation Philadelphia presents The Broken Crowns Tour Featuring Matisyahu, Common Kings and Orphan, for a special show during Chanukah. Ticket prices: $37 – $156. Tickets at TLAPhilly.com or TicketMaster.com or 1.800.745.3000.

Celebrate Hanukkah at the Elmwood Park Zoo
Starting at 2:00 p.m.
1661 Harding Boulevard, Norristown, PA  19401 | 800.652.4143
Break out your dreidels and join us for a celebration of the festival of lights!
We’ll start at 2PM in our Trail of the Jaguar exhibit for games, crafts, and animal fun! At 2:15PM, we’ll learn all about jaguars from one of our animal care staff, and watch them do a training session! At 3PM, we’ll take our celebration on the road as we stroll the zoo with our donkeys and EPZ Veterinarian Dr. Denish! We will finish up our celebration on to the Eagles Deck as we light our very own menorah at 3:30PM!
This event is great for all ages, and is FREE to attend with admission!

Menorah Workshop
Starting at 2:00 p.m.
Lowe’s Home Improvement, 116 West Township Line Road, Havertown, PA 19083
Sponsored by Chabad Lubavitch of Northern Delaware County.
Build and design your own Menorah for Chanukah.  Judah the Maccabee photo op, Latkes, and Music.  Children must be accompanied by an adult.
RSVP: rikki@jewishdelco.org, 610.353.3835

Jkidphilly: Light Up the Mall for Chanukah
Starting at 3:00 p.m.
Plymouth Meeting Mall, 500 W Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
A program of Jewish Learning Venture
Join us for a special pre-Chanukah celebration at the mall!  There will be music, crafts, snacks, and so much more.  Join LegoLand and area summer camps who will provide extraordinary Chanukah activities for kids young and old.  Geared for kids ages 3-10!
Contact lrubin@jewishlearningventure.org for more information.

Family Chanukah Party
Starting at 3:30 p.m.
Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Sponsored by B’nai Abraham Chabad | 215.238.2100
Family Chanukah Party followed by
Giant Menorah Lighting in Rittenhouse Square at 5:00pm. Fee: $5 admission, $20 family. The One-Man Juggling Show, Arts & Crafts, Chanukah Refreshments, Music, Donuts & Hot Chocolate. RSVP to office@phillyshul.com or call 215.238.2100.

Chanukah Candle Lighting
Starting at 5:30 p.m.
Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103
The Center City Kehillah, in cooperation with and funded by Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia invite you to join them for the annual lighting of the Giant Menorah in Rittenhouse Square. They will have refreshments, music, and a few words from some community leaders. Contact: 267.225.8701 | centercityjews.org

Library Playdate
Starting at 10:30 a.m.
Langhorne Library, 301 S. Pine Street (Rt. 413 & Flowers Ave.), Langhorne, PA 19047-2829
Jkidphilly Parent Ambassador Program
Join jkidphilly for a playdate at the Langhorne Library! We will meet in the group study room at 10:30am for a Chanukah story, craft and a snack. Then we will play in the Penn’s Little Village at 11am. Penn’s Little Village is a wonderful play space for children newborn to age 5 to explore miniature versions of a library, a service station, a camper, a market, a firehouse, and a school.
RSVP required: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScUSLwk5i7FTc96rR7IaGxwiPcW3zjVg4e0OpYL3xZYF1MEVQ/viewform

Community Chanukah at the Narberth Train Station
Starting at 6:00 p.m.
1 Station Circle, Narberth, PA 19072
Sponsored by the Kehillah of Lower Merion
Come celebrate Hanukkah together with our Kehillah of Lower Merion (a groups of synagogues and Jewish organizations across the Main Line) community in the glow of the Hanukkiah’s lights. Hanukkah candle lighting held twice at both 6:05 pm and 6:45 pm. Bring your family and friends! Free and open to the community.

Third Annual Chanukah on the Delaware
Starting at 6:30 p.m.
Come to the foot of the New Hope/Lambertville Free Bridge on the PA side
Sponsored by the Bucks County Jewish Coalition: Bucks County Rabbinic Council, Bucks County Synagogues and Hadassah
There will be candle-lighting, singing, refreshments, as well as, gelt and dreidels for the children.
Open to the whole community.

Lights & Latkes Lunch
Starting at 12:30 pm
Chabad Doylestown Jewish Center, 300 E. Swamp Road, Doylestown, 18901, 215.622.9090
Discover the light within yourself and those around you while you enjoy a delicious lunch and listen to a guest speaker. Connie Victor will share the fascinating story of how her family escaped the Nazis and her recent discovery of what happened to her brother, Bertram Polak. Connie will present the findings and pictures unearthed by a Dutch professor who wondered about the original owners of his house and the family who lived there.