It’s almost here: the Festival of Lights. Chanukah starts at sunset Sunday, December 14th and ends at sunset, Monday, December 22nd. Time to stock up on potatoes for latkes, find a local bakery with the best sufganiyot, and bulk order that Manischewitz. Check out our Guide to Jewish-owned eateries here!
There’s always lots of fun things to do with the family during the holiday season. If you’re looking for a broader assortment of winter activities, check out our articles “Best Local Holiday Markets and Craft Fairs” or the “December Family-Friendly Events Guide.” If you’re only interested in Chanukah content, then keep on reading!
Chanukah Events
Menorah Lightings
The National Menorah Lighting
December 14th, 3:30-5 PM
The White House Ellipse, DC. Tickets are required, but are free.
The lighting of the national menorah is usually attended by members of the administration, like the President and Vice President, as well as local and national Jewish celebrities. For sure there will be fun musical performances!
Kensington Menorah Lighting
December 14th, 6:00 PM
Kensington Town Hall, 3710 Mitchell Street Kensington,MD 20895
Music and treats are promised.
Clarendon Menorah Lighting
December 16th, 6 PM
1307 N Highland St., Clarendon, VA 22201
Tickets are free but registration is required. Food, music and hot cocoa included.
Attend a Play
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins
Running December 11- December 22
Price: $16
Location: The Puppet Co. Playhouse, Glen Echo MD
Chanukah in the Dark
Running December 6-21
Price: $12-15/child, $24-27/adult
Location: Edlavitch DCJCC | Downtown DC
Fun Activities
Chanukah Workshop with Dreidel Making at Home Depot
December 7th, 2:30-3:30 PM
901 Rhode Island Ave NE Washington, DC 20018. Tickets are free-sign up through Eventbrite.
Home Depot will teach kids how to make their very own Menorahs. While the little ones are playing, take a moment to peruse the aisles for your own Chanukah wishlist!
Annapolis Parade of Light
December 14th, 5:30 PM
Safeway, 2365 Housely Rd, Annapolis, MD 21401. Free but please RSVP.
Join a Menorah Car Parade that ends at the city dock for a giant Menorah lighting! Hosted by the Chabad of Anne Arundel County.
Chanukah Festival- Old Town Alexandria
December 15th, 6:00 PM
The Lyceum: Alexandria’s History Museum 201 South Washington Street Alexandria, VA 22314. Tickets are free but you must register.
Food, music, a menorah lighting- what more could you ask for! This event will be outside. Hosted by the Chabad-Lubavitch of Arlington-Alexandria.
Chanukah Events at the Edlavitch DCJCC
The DCJCC, located at 1529 16th Street NW, DC 20036, will be hosting a variety of programming for Chanukah, including:
Celebrate Chanukah with Jews of Color and their Families
December 21st, 3:00- 5:00 PM
Tickets are free and intended for Jews of Color and their Families
Enjoy a Chanukah celebration with food, games, and a Menorah lighting.
Chanukah Party
December 14th, 10:00 AM
Tickets are $30/ family
Geared towards families with kids under 5 years old. Snacks, stories, schmoozing and see a performance of Chanukah in the Dark!
Enjoy Food
Everyone will have the opportunity to get their nosh on this season with a variety of options for food! If you’re not in the mood to peel and shred a mountain of Yukons, here is a comprehensive list of places in the Washington, DC area to order your Chanukah goodies.
Notable mentions:
- Call Your Mother has raspberry-guava sufganiyot and a deluxe latke platter.
- Baked by Yael, in addition to its normal offering of one of the best challahs in the region, is making jumbo menorah pops!
- In the mood for something savory? Silver and Sons BBQ has spicy lamb and beef meatballs, brisket bourekas with gruyere and caramelized onions, smoked brisket in tomato stew and classic potato latkes with apple butter and lemon whipped yogurt. *Just drooled on the computer*
Activities at Home
This year my daughter’s winter break coincides with mine perfectly, which means we’re going to have *a lot* of free time to fill. It also feels like about -2 degrees outside, so there will be plenty of indoor activities until Mother Nature decides to be nice again. The PJ Library has miraculously (pun intended) made a “Chanukah Cheat Sheet” for families, which includes videos, songs, recipes, books and crafts for babies through tweens.
