Chanukah begins on Thursday, December 7^th and ends Friday, December 15^th.  During that week, Jewish families around the world will gather to celebrate the Festival of Lights with latkes, dreidels, gifts, giving back and more.  You can join a community celebration or use our resources to create a celebration at home.

Jump to a section:

• Pre-Chanukah Events

• Events During Chanukah (December 7^th–15^th)

• Events on December 25^th

• Chanukah Resources

• Celebrating Chanukah with Your Grandchildren

Bim Bom Bags: Chanukah

Order by Wednesday, November 29^th

Bim Bom Bags are the perfect way to bring Jewish holidays and celebrations into your home with learning, crafts, snacks, and more. Most appreciated by kids 2–7 years old.

Northern Virginia families: Order from the Pozez JCC

Montgomery County families: Order from the Bender JCC

Hanukkah Tot Service, Shabbat Potluck & Family Service at Oseh Shalom

Friday, December 1^st | 5:3o PM
Oseh Shalom (Laurel, MD)

This is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to come together, share delicious food, and create lasting memories with other families in our community.Tot Service most appreciated by kids 0–5 years old.

Tiny Lights: Tales for Chanukah

Sunday, December 3^rd
10:0o AM & 11:30 AM
Theater J at the EDCJCC (Washington, DC)

Taking inspiration from the great Chanukah tales of master storyteller Issac Bashevis Singer, our theatrical storytellers will weave tales out of words, a few simple props, and theatrical devices—and then teach you and your young kids how to do the same! Most appreciated by kids 4–9 years old.

STEM Meets Tradition: The Chanukah Miracle

Sunday, December 3^rd | 10:0o AM
Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School (Washington, DC)

Your child will engineer their own miracle solutions to connect with the Chanukah story in a whole new way. Most appreciated by kids 3–6 years old.

JxJ Klezmer Brunch: Seth Kibel & Friends

Sunday, December 3^rd | 10:3o AM
Edlavitch DCJCC (Washington, DC)

Celebrate the season with our Family Chanukah Klezmer Brunch featuring Seth Kibel and friends! Get into the holiday spirit with creative and jazzy renditions of your favorite Chanukah carols, and traditional klezmer romps. Kids under 7 are free and are encouraged to dance with the band!

Menorahs and Milkshakes – Ashburn

Sunday, December 3^rd | 3:3o PM
One Loudoun (Asbhurn, VA)

Celebrate Chanukah with Julie at One Loudoun with an amazing milkshake. JFamily Ambassador Julie will read Chanukah stories and spin dreidels.

Virtual Chanukah Candle Lightings

Every night of Chanukah, December 7^th-14^th
6:00 PM (4:15 PM on Friday)
Zoom

Whether you have your own Chanukiyah (Menorah) to light along with us or not, please join us each night as we spread light throughout our entire community.

Northern Virginia Night of Lights

Thursday, December 7^th | 5:00 PM
Village at Leesburg (Leesburg, VA)

Candle lighting, latkes, music, dreidels & gelt, doughnuts, kids crafts and more!

Celebrate Chanukah with Jews of Color and their Families

Thursday, December 7^th | 6:30 PM
Edlavitch DCJCC (Washington, DC)

We’ll light the menorah, eat delicious latkes and sufganiyot, spin dreidels, do crafts, and watch the short movie Blewish.

Please note this holiday celebration is specifically curated for community members who identify as Jews of Color and for their families.

Little Bookworms: Reston

Saturday, December 9^th | 10:0o AM
Reston Regional Library (Reston, VA)

Calling all book lovers! We invite you and your little one(s) to join us for a Chanukah-themed story time with the JFamily Ambassadors at the Pozez JCC. Most appreciated by children under 6 years old.

Shabbat Shabbang: Hanukkah Edition

Friday, December 8^th | 5:3o PM
Bender JCC of Greater Washington (Rockville, MD)

Following a delicious Shabbat dinner, we will all gather around for a story time with our wonderful guest, author Ilan Stavans, will present his book, The Mexican Dreidel, as part of the Lessans Family Literary Series!

Tiny Lights: Tales for Chanukah

Saturday, December 9^th | 10:0o AM & 11:30 AM
Sunday, December 10^th | 10:0o AM & 11:30 AM
Theater J at the EDCJCC (Washington, DC)

Taking inspiration from the great Chanukah tales of master storyteller Issac Bashevis Singer, our theatrical storytellers will weave tales out of words, a few simple props, and theatrical devices—and then teach you and your young kids how to do the same! Most appreciated by kids 4–9 years old.

JFamily Chanukah Party

Sunday, December 10^th | 10:30 AM
Edlavitch DCJCC (Washington, DC)

We will have snacks, stories, shmoozing, and a music performance by our beloved Mr. Ari. Most appreciated by kids under 4 years old.

Sing-a-Long with the Hazzan at Fairlington Park

Sunday, December 10^th | 11:00 AM
Fairlington Park (Alexandria, VA)

Led by Hazzan Dienstfrey of Agudas Achim Congregration, this is an outdoor opportunity to introduce our children to Judaism through song, and a chance to connect with other families from the community. Most appreciated by children 0-5 years old.

Su-Fun-Yot: Donut Making Class for the Family

Sunday, December 10^th | 2:00 PM
Zoom

Join Hanna from the JFamily Ambassadors virtually to learn how to make Sufganiyot (jelly donuts). Recipes will be provided in advance.

Community Hanukkah Celebration at Oseh Shalom

Sunday, December 10^th | 4:00 PM
Oseh Shalom (Laurel, MD)

Join us for candle lighting and Hanukkah festivities including games, crafts, songs, dinner, latkes, and sufganiot (jelly doughnuts)!

Chanukah Hop to the Donut Shop – Chantilly

Sunday, December 10^th | 1:00 PM
Donut Shop (Chantilly, VA)

Hop on over to Greenbrier to celebrate Chanukah together. Buy your donut; JFA Julie will be there to read and spin with you. Most appreciated by kids ages 5 and under.

6^th Annual Grand Menorah Lighting

Sunday, December 10^th | 4:30 PM
One Loudoun (Ashburn, VA)

This year we have an epic lineup of entertainment, officials, crafts and Chanukah excitement with a Grand Menorah Lighting to celebrate our community with Jewish pride and unity!

Latkes and Lights!

Sunday, December 10^th | 5:00 PM
Congregation Adat Reyim (Springfield, VA)

Join us for candle lighting and Hanukkah festivities including games, crafts, songs, dinner, latkes, and sufganiot (jelly doughnuts)!

Hanukkah Supper, Celebration and Learning

Sunday, December 10^th | 6:00 PM
Congregation Etz Hayim (Arlington, VA)

Bring your menorah (and candles) and join your CEH friends to celebrate the fourth night of Hanukkah with dinner, a group candle lighting, and songs. Rav Amelia will lead a learning session for teens and adults while kids have their own supervised fun activities.

Chanukah Hop to the Donut Shop – Alexandria

Monday, December 11^th | 4:30 PM
Donut Shop (Alexandria, VA)

Hop on over to Route 1 to celebrate Chanukah together. Buy your donut; JFA Tracy will be there to read and spin with you. Most appreciated by kids ages 5 and under.

Oh Gaydel, Gaydel, Gaydel Queer Happy Hour

Monday, December 11^th | 6:00 PM
Shakers DC (Washington, DC)

Light up the night when you celebrate at the largest Chanukah happy hour in the DC area for LGBTQ Jews (and our friends)! Most appreciated by adults 21 years and older. 🙂

Chanukah Hop to the Donut Shop – Fairfax

Wednesday, December 13^th | 4:30 PM
Donut Shop (Fairfax, VA)

Hop on over to Fairfax to celebrate Chanukah with us. Buy your donut; JFA Tracy will be there to read and spin with you. Most appreciated by kids ages 5 and under.

Community Hanukkah Concert with Y-Studs A Cappella

Wednesday, December 13^th | 5:0o PM
Bender JCC of Greater Washington (Rockville, MD)

Unite as one – b’yachad – on the seventh night of Hanukkah with your Bender JCC family for an evening of light, love, latkes, and music!

Chanukah Hop to the Donut Shop – Bristow

Wednesday, December 13^th | 6:00 PM
Donut Shop (Bristow, VA)

Hop on over to Bristow to celebrate Chanukah with us. Buy your donut; JFA Brie will be there to read and spin with you. Most appreciated by kids ages 5 and under.

Story Time at CJM

Thursday, December 14^th | 10:00 AM
Capital Jewish Museum (Washington, DC)

Children and their caregivers are invited to join us for Chanukah stories, songs, and exploratory play as a means of reinforcing early literacy skills. Most appreciated by kids ages 5 and under.

CommUNITY Menorah Lighting at Mosaic District

Wednesday, December 14^th | 5:30 PM
Mosaic District (Fairfax, VA)

Join the commUNITY on the last night of Chanukah to light the candles, sing songs, enjoy entertainment, spin the dreidel and more!