hanukkah

Hanukkah in the Capital: Family-Friendly Celebrations

December 8, 2024

Hanukkah begins December 25 this year! In Washington, D.C., the holiday shines brightly with a diverse range of events, from iconic public menorah lightings to intimate community gatherings.

December 13: Fire & Ice Hanukkah Celebration
Join at Washington Hebrew as they bring the warmth of Hanukkah into the cold of winter with a celebratory oneg including hot and cold treats, foods, and much more. Participate in fire and ice activities, art projects and so much more! Come dressed as you normally would for Shabbat OR if you want to be a bit more festive, wear an ugly Hanukkah sweater, a favorite pair of Hanukkah pajamas, or dress in red to bring the heat or blue if you want to play it cool.

December 15: Kid and Family Hanukkah Celebration: Featuring a Mad Scientist Show
Join Kesher Israel for an afternoon of laughter, learning, and lunch!

December 17: Hanukkah Party at the National Museum of American Jewish Military History
Come to the annual Pre-Hanukkah Celebration for latkes, jelly doughnuts, chocolate gelt and holiday songs! The celebration is before the holiday this year. But they’ll have the same festive Hanukkah fun. Explore the museum and eat, play games and sing.

December 20: Lights & Ice: Hanukkah Skate Night
The Festival of Lights is back at the Canal Park Ice Rink with Free Skate Rentals for the first 150 attendees to glide around the outdoor menorah along with live music from DJ Ci Ci, free Hanukkah-themed donuts, and hot cider from neighborhood confectionary shop Kilwins courtesy of the Capitol Riverfront BID; PLUS dreidels, glow sticks, gelt, and Capitol Riverfront giveaways for the first 100 attendees! The official menorah lighting will take place at 7:00 pm.

December 25: National Chanukah Menorah Lighting
The annual lighting ceremony of the National Chanukah Menorah, on the Ellipse, just across from the White House, helps launch and strengthen the celebration of “Chanukah – Festival of Lights” in all 50 states and over 100 countries globally.

December 25: Lighting of the Menorah at the Wharf
The Wharf is continuing the annual tradition of lighting the menorah in District Square for each night of Hanukkah. Come to The Wharf to celebrate the Festival of Lights.

December 26: Chanukah Festival in Old Town Alexandria
Celebrate the holiday of Chanukah! Enjoy delicious Latkes, hot cocoa, donuts and more!

Hanukkah celebrations in and around Washington, DC

November 27, 2021

Hanukkah begins November 28 this year! There are several ways to get festive in our area from menorah lightings to family Hanukkah parties to ice skating! Edible DC has an amazing round-up of places to get food for your holiday.

Now through Dec 7: Military Mitzvah Chanukah Card Project
PJ Library and The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington are partnering to share a wonderful opportunity with you to send Chanukah greeting cards to Jewish military members and veterans! Sign up to mail your cards by December 7^th.

Nov. 19 – Jan. 2: Winterfest production at Adventure Theatre
Get three shows for the price of one! Adventure brings favorites from the digital Jingle in July festival to the live stage. The shows are: Uri & Ora Light the Menorah, Connection & Cranky Penguin.

Nov. 26 – Jan. 2: Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins at The Puppet Co.
Hershel just wants to celebrate Hanukkah with the community, but the Queen and King of the Goblins have forbidden the lighting of the candles. Can Hershel save the day and lift the curse for this shtetl (village)? Join during Hanukkah (November 28 – December 5) to take home a special gift.

Nov. 28 from 3:15pm – 5:45pm: National Menorah Lighting
The annual lighting ceremony of the National Chanukah Menorah, on the Ellipse, just across from the White House, helps launch and strengthen the celebration of “Chanukah – Festival of Lights” in all 50 states and over 100 countries globally. The National Menorah is honored to have the presence of the Military Bands of the Military District of Washington perform at the lighting ceremony, often accompanied by a celebrity Jewish artist. Prominent guests including the President, Vice President, members of the Cabinet, Congress and the diplomatic corps, as well as numerous senior Administration officials and international dignitaries and celebrities have participated in the ceremony. The event creates much joy and celebration throughout the entire Washington community and beyond. Music, food, entertainment and the “National Essay Winners” are main attractions of the National Menorah Ceremony.

Nov. 28 – Dec. 6 from 5:00pm-6:00pm: The Wharf Lighting of the Menorah
The Wharf is continuing the annual tradition of lighting the menorah in District Square for each night of Hanukkah. Come to The Wharf to celebrate the Festival of Lights.

Nov. 28 at 5:30pm: Chanukah Festival in Old Town, Alexandria
Join us as we celebrate the holiday of Chanukah! Enjoy delicious pre-packaged Latkes, hot cocoa, pre-packaged donuts and more!

Nov. 30 at 6:00pm: Light Up Arlington
Experience the festival of lights at Clarendon Menorah Lighting and Community Celebration when they light a giant 9 foot Menorah. Enjoy delicious hot potato latkes (pre-packaged), hot cocoa, donuts, (pre-packaged), chocolate gelt and dreidels for all. There will also be lively Chanukah music!

Dec. 2 from 5:30pm-8:00pm: Chanukah Party for Jews of Color & the Families
Please join for an evening in the EDCJCC parking lot to celebrate Chanukah in fellowship with Jews of Color and multiracial Jewish and interfaith families in the DMV. It may be chilly outside, but latkes, candle-lighting, music, activities for a wide range of ages (tweens and teens welcome!), and friendly conversations will keep us warm. 🙂 Bring your coat and yourself, and join us for a festive opportunity to be together and get to know other Jews of color and multiracial families — Jewish, Jew-ish, interfaith, and everything in between.

Dec. 2 from 6:00pm-8:00pm: Lights & Ice: Hanukkah Skate Night
Celebrate the Festival of Lights at the Canal Park Ice Rink with the Capitol Riverfront BID! Free skate rentals will be offered to the first 100 attendees to slip and slide around the outdoor menorah along with free donuts plus dreidel and gelt giveaways.

Dec. 2 from 6:00pm-8:00pm: Chanukah on Ice
Skate with family and friends at the Pentagon Row Ice Rink. There will be a free raffle and the lighting of a giant 6ft Menorah. There will be hot latkes, kosher hot dogs and refreshments.

Dec. 4 10:30am (Brunch), 11:30am (Concert): Boogie-Woogie Klezmer Brunch with The Music Pilgrim Trio & Daryl Davis
Klezmer brunch is back and family friendly this December! Music lovers of all ages are welcome to join us for Boogie-Woogie Klezmer Brunch with Seth Kibel paired with the Music Pilgrim Trio & Daryl Davis. There will be concert seating for those who want it, but children will not be expected to sit quietly — dancing is encouraged! $25/person for concert and brunch; $15 for concert only; children 7 and under are FREE

Dec. 4 at 11:00am: City-State Brewing Story Hour: The Ninth Night of Hanukkah
Erica is the author of numerous early-reader books, chapter books, middle grade novels and picture books, including the festive and inspiring The Ninth Night of Hanukkah, which follows siblings Rachel and Max as they navigate their first Hanukkah in a new apartment.

Dec. 5 from 10:00am-11:00am: Family Chanukah Party
Happy Chanukah! Join at the EDCJCC for a fun morning celebrating Hanukkah. There will be arts and crafts, music, science and a community service opportunity. This program will take place in the JCC parking lot and inside the building.

Dec. 4 from 4:30pm-6:30pm: Hanukkah Party at The Lane
The Lane loves a party and there’s no better reason to celebrate than the festival of lights: Hanukkah! Join the party in partnership with The Micah Storefront Project for a Hanukkah party with latkes, donuts, dreidels, and singing with Rabbis Josh Beraha and Stephanie Crawley! Sign up here.

Dec. 5 from 5pm-6pm: Community Menorah Lighting
It’s Chanukah time – and they’re bringing the celebration to you! Join as they light the candles, sing songs, enjoy entertainment, spin the dreidel and more!

Dec. 10 at 6:30pm: Chanukah Havdalah in Pajamas
Join PJ Library, Berman Hebrew Academy, Kehilat Pardes, and The Jewish Federation to celebrate how to bring more light into the world with Chanukah (the Festival of Lights) and Havdalah. After a warm, spirited Havdalah ceremony to end Shabbat, we’ll create our own lanterns for a lantern walk!

Dec. 11 from 1:00pm–2:30pm: The Great Hanukkah Escape
Join the CESJDS STEM Center for Hanukkah! Families will work to solve puzzles to celebrate the joy of Hanukkah! *Ages 3-10, must be accompanied by an adult.

Dec. 13 at 4:30pm: Chanukah with Grandfriends Zoom (link sent after registration)
Join a virtual, multi-generational event for PJ kids and their “grandfriends” to celebrate the Festival of Lights with stories, a de-light-ful craft project, and games. Register by December 7^th to receive the project materials in the mail. Registration opens 11/17. This is a collaboration of PJ Library, Bender JCC, Edlavitch DCJCC, Pozez JCC’s Growing Jewish Families, HoneymoonIsrael, and The Jewish Federation of Great Washington. $8/screen, which includes project materials mailed to you.

Dec. 18 from 3:45pm-5:15pm: National Menorah Lighting
Musical performances, special guest and the lighting will occur on the Ellipse. Register to attend at link above.

Dec. 18 at 5:30pm: Northern VA Night of Lights
Join a family-oriented, community-wide candle lighting event featuring holiday-themed activities, including latkes, dreidel playing, doughnuts, kids crafts, music, a photo booth and more!

Weekend Picks: December 15-17, 2017

December 15, 2017

Join Nats Winterfest, returning December 16 and 17 to the Washington Convention Center. Winterfest will again feature two days of fun! Activities include:

Clinics with Nationals players and coaches
Watch a Home Run Derby featuring the Nationals mascots
Make a snow fort, participate in the steal home challenge and take batting practice
Hear a winter or baseball-themed story, read by a Nationals player
Participate in the Kids Press Conferences
Sign up for 2018 season Jr. Nats Kids Club memberships at the Jr. Nationals Kids Club kiosk
Ride down The Slider, a giant slide reminiscent of a sledding hill
“Video Pitch,” where fans can give virtual batters their best pitch

Bring your young animal lover to the Zoo this weekend for “Meerkat Mania,” or “Monkey See, Monkey Do,” preschool classes for 2-3 and 3-5 year olds! Friends of the National Zoo preschool classes are designed for children ages 2-3 and 3-5 to discover a whole new view of the National Zoo. “Adult-and-me” format classes use interactive learning stations, hands-on activities and crafts, Nature Play, and exciting Zoo Walks to engage your child’s sense of wonder and curiosity about wildlife and the natural world. Pre-registration is required. “Meerkat Mania” will run on Saturday, December 16 from 10:00am-11:30am “Monkey See, Monkey Do” will run on Sunday, December 17 from 10:00am-11:30am $28/child for FONZ members. $35/child for non-members. Registration fee covers one child with adult.

This weekend Greenberg’s Train & Toy Show is at the Dulles Expo Center. It is the largest and longest-running model train and collectible toy show in the country. The show is geared towards the general public and towards modelers and hobbyists, featuring hundreds of tables of trains and accessories for sale, huge operating exhibits, activities for kids, and more. All aboard!

Saturday-

9:30am AND 11:00am: Bright Star Theatre: Holiday Songs: Music Around the World at National Theatre
Songs and stories come together for a truly magical wintertime show. Audiences will travel from Africa to Mexico and everywhere in between, while hearing a range of songs from “I Have A Little Dreidel” and “Auld Lang Syne” to “Away in a Manger,” “Sankta Lucia” and so much more.

11:00am-1:00 pm: Holiday Edition Art Making at Treehouse Atelier
Bring your school-age kids and take some time off your busy schedules to craft alongside your child during this special time of year. What a better gift than to create some holiday cheer with your children? Projects include: Gingerbread Wintery Mural (art), Make your own Ornament (craft), Create a Candy/Winter Wonderland world (craft) and Create a Nutcracker collage (art). Please note this Open Studio is geared towards school-age kids 4 and older. $25 per child with sibling discounts. Please register here.

1:00pm-4:00pm: From Our Happy Home Holiday Craft Program at National Portrait Gallery
Step into the 19th century world of Louisa May Alcott in this craft program for the entire family. Construct paper house lanterns and handmade books as you explore some of the ways people have created feelings of comfort and warmth in the cold winter months. Join Little Women story time to hear how Alcott’s heroines the March sisters celebrated the holidays, bringing literature and music together to light their home. This drop-in program will take place Saturday, December 16 in the National Portrait Gallery’s Education Center, E151, and Explore! children’s space. Reservations are appreciated but not required. Designed in collaboration with the National Building Museum; a variation of this program will take place on Sunday, December 17 at the National Building Museum. Visit their website for more information.

4:00pm: Family Yoga at LemonTree
Come enjoy an all-levels vinyasa yoga practice with your little one(s). Mamas (and papas) with kiddos are welcome to join us for this fun, interactive flow. Grown-ups and older children will move through poses while littler yogis sleep, play and/or explore in a child-friendly (and safe) environment. No prior experience is required. Please bring your mats and a playful attitude.

Sunday-

1:00pm-4:00pm: Family Afternoon: From Our Happy Home at National Building Museum
Construct paper house lanterns and handmade books as you explore some of the ways people in the past and today create feelings of home in the cold winter months. Investigate objects from the Museum’s House & Home exhibition for examples of interior lighting. Step into the 19^thcentury world of author Louisa May Alcott and discover how music and literature were brought together to light her homes during the winter season. Designed in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery; a variation of this program will take place on Saturday, December 16 at the National Portrait Gallery. Visit their website for more information. Free, drop in. All ages.

3:30-5:00 pm: Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas at Hooray for Books
Come meet Pamela Ehrenberg, author of the new PJ Library® book, Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas. We will have a book reading and signing, followed by crafts and vegetarian Indian snacks from Namaste King Street. You’ll get a signed, hardcover copy of the book!$25 for up to 3 people – includes signed book and Indian snacks; $5 for every additional person. Best for ages 3 and up. Brought to you by PJ Library Greater Washington, Federation’s Jewish Food Experience, The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington andHooray For Books.

Holidays in Washington, DC

Weekend Picks

December 4, 2015

Experience the Mall Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6, to celebrate the season with Smithsonian. We’ve got special events galore to help you get in the holiday spirit, including musical performances, book signings, trunk shows, activities for kids, and more! Participating museums include: National Museum of American History, National Museum of Air and Space, National Museum of Natural History, Freer Gallery of Art and Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Museum of the American Indian, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, National Museum of African American Art, National Postal Museum, and The Smithsonian Castle. Hours are 10:30am-5:30pm and the Holiday Festival is free.

This weekend Baltimore will be having Dollar or Less Days. Many of your favorite spots will only be $1 for admission. Get there early as lines will be long but they’ll move fast. Check the above link for participating places. See our post on Baltimore for ideas of other places to go.

Ice! Featuring Santa Claus is Coming to Town is still going on at The Gaylord National Harbor. Guests can walk-through holiday attraction, kept at a chilly 9 degrees, marvel at two million pounds of hand-carved ice sculpture, have fun on five ice slides, walk and see the 7 individual rooms depicting the story of Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town and see The Frostbite Factory – a live carving zone.

Home Sweet Home Gingerbread Workshop at National Building Museum is Saturday and Sunday. Get in the holiday spirit and construct a gingerbread house at the National Building Museum. Participants will learn how to use gingerbread walls and royal icing to build a house. We’ll provide the supplies and treats to make your gingerbread home as sweet as can be. Register online!

‘Tis the Circus! A Holiday Party on High presented by Sweet Spot Aerial Productions at Atlas Performing Arts Friday-Sunday. The holidays can be a circus – quite literally, at this holiday party! As the guests arrive, one couple’s living room is transformed as acrobats, aerialists, jugglers and other performers dazzle with spectacular routines celebrating the magic of the holiday season. Fun for the whole family – prepare to be delighted, amazed and inspired. A unique and new holiday tradition. All ages. [Read more…]