Oh Hanukkah, oh Hanukkah, come to light up...you know the rest. If you want to light candlesticks in public places, dance with other people (of course, at a safe distance), or even gather around (outdoor) tables to eat jelly doughnuts or fast food, these Bay Area events will meet the requirements. The Festival of Lights begins at sunset on Sunday, November 28, and will end on the night of Hanukkah on Sunday evening, December 5 with eight candles and a low-pitched festival. Unless otherwise stated, all activities listed below are free and outdoors. 🎵 Dreidels to play and latkes to eat? 🎶 You bet!
"Bill Graham Candlestick Day"-San Francisco Union Square 46th annual candlestick lighting, live and live broadcast. Virtual lighting for Hanukkah every night until December 5th. Provided by the Bill Graham Support Foundation of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund. It was 5 pm, earlier than the Sabbath on December 3.
JCCSF Daily Gathering-The community is invited to gather in the atrium, light up the candlesticks, and sing to the music of Jonathan Bayer. Until December 2. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., SF 4-4:30 PM
Golden Gate Park-Congregation Emanu-El invites the community to participate in outdoor activities, including singing, dancing, lattes, snacks and candlestick lighting. Proof of vaccination and mask is required. San Francisco 5:30-7 pm at the Kennedy Avenue Golden Gate Park Band on Hagiwara Tea Garden Avenue
"Shiny Hanukkah Party in Ghirardelli Square"-JCCSF family-friendly outdoor pop-up store includes candlestick lighting, live music, crafts, games and snacks, some of which are from Harvey's Donuts. Wear items and clothes that glow, sparkle, and glow in the dark. Ghirardelli Square, 900 North Point Street, San Francisco, 3-6pm
"Noe Valley Hanukkah Wonderland"-including luminous candlesticks, handicrafts, latkes, hot chocolate, gelt, fire show, music and spinning tops. Chabad in Noe Valley, 3771 Cesar Chavez, SF 3-5:30 PM
"Hanukkah Farm Festival"-including workshops on making cider and beeswax candles, baking tutorials, music, candlestick lighting, etc. Suitable for children aged 6-12 and their families. Provided by Urban Adamah and Eden Village West. In Urban Adamah, 1151 Sixth St., Berkeley. 1:30-5:30 pm Sliding scale.
Chabad of Alameda celebration-public lighting with 9-foot-tall Lego candlesticks, latkes, fresh donuts, chocolate gel, inflatable gym and slides, crafts, music, dance and vaudeville performances. At Ritter Park, 1400 Otis Drive, Alameda. 4:30-6 pm Free, registration required.
Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek-Contra Costa's Chabad lit up the county's tallest candlestick to kick off the festival. Including bubble show, SF Acrobatic Troupe, crafts, latkes, donuts and hot chocolate. At Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek. 4 pm
Bay Street in Emeryville — Chabad of Emeryville displayed a huge candlestick lighting at 4:45pm, followed by arts and crafts, face painting, balloon art, live music, latkes, sweet Circle and magic show. Near the Apple Store. At Bay Street Mall, 5636 Bay Street, Emeryville. 3pm
"Stoneridge Hanukkah Wonderland"-Tri-Valley's Chabad invites everyone to gather for games, crafts, activities, music and lighting of the 9-foot candlestick. The 17th. At Stoneridge Mall, 1 Stoneridge Mall Road, Pleasanton. 5:30-7 pm
Chabad of Castro Valley Celebration-Day 8 band concert, children’s handicrafts, individually packaged muffins/donuts and huge candlestick lighting. At Creekside Middle School, 19722 Centre St., Castro Valley. 5:30 PM is free and requires registration.
"Afikomen Hanukkah Celebration"-including Rabbi Chaim's community candlestick lighting, Ben Kramarz's SingJam music, sufganiyot, prizes, special offers, etc. At Afikomen Judaica, 3042 Claremont Ave., Berkeley. 4-5 pm
Beth Chaim congregation celebrations-including candlestick lighting, Nathaniel Markman's music, dancing with Bruce Bierman, food, children's crafts, free drinks and more. In the Blackhawk Plaza Rotunda, 3380 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville. 5:30-7:30 pm
"Hanukkah under the stars"-Tri-Valley's Chabad held a candlestick lighting together with local dignitaries, live music, latkes, donuts, sweepstakes and the local fire department. The square in front of the Bankhead Theatre at 2400 First Street in Livermore. 7:30-8:30 in the evening
Lake Merritt, Oakland-the 16th annual candlestick light show, unleavened bread soup, latkes, sufganiyot, gelt, candles, dreidels, slime factory and more. Proposed by Chabad of Auckland. At the Lake Merritt Amphitheater, between 12th Street and 1st Avenue, Lake Merritt Avenue, Oakland. 4:30 pm
Martinez’s main street square-B'nai Shalom in Walnut Creek. The congregation used music and sufganiyot to display public candlestick lighting. At 700 Main St., Martinez. 5-6 pm
"Light up the night"-the annual festival includes live music, latkes, large ice candlestick lighting, prizes, etc. Provided by Joseph Weingarten Chabad Jewish Center in Sonoma County. Village court in Santa Rosa Montgomery Village Shopping Center. 4-6 pm
Petaluma Fairgrounds-Petaluma’s Chabad events include grand candlestick lighting, jelly donuts, latkes, live DJs, crafts, events, prizes, spinning tops, fire juggling shows, and drone gel landings. At Petaluma Fairgrounds, 175 Fairgrounds Drive. 4:30-6 pm
Healdsburg Square-Chabad Jewish Center in Sonoma County hosted an event that included latkes, drydels, prizes, and large candlestick lighting. At the Oakville grocery store, 124 W. Matheson St., Healdsburg. 17:00
Chabad for Novato Community Party — Decorate your own Hanukkah cookies, listen to live Jewish music, play games and enjoy dinner, bread and donuts. 695 De Long Ave, Chabad, Novato, 6-8pm
"Hanukkah Inside Out"-Osher Marin JCC invites children and others to participate in activities held in the parking lot, including handicrafts, music, sufganiyot, dance, storytelling, etc. At Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Novato City Hall-Outdoor activities for the eighth night include drone candlesticks, gelt drops, fire and LED shows, latkes, donuts and music. Provided by Novato's Chabad, Novato City and Nugget Market. At the City Hall, 901 Sherman Ave., Novato. 4 pm
"The history of rock and roll unveiled the prelude to Hanukkah"-A performance by the Beth Air Temple Rock Sabbath Band in Aptos, huge candlestick lighting, children's crafts and "the last special treat." In addition, the eight night candlestick will be lit at 5 pm on December 5 at Aptos Town Clock. At Temple Beth El, 3055 Porter Gulch Road, Aptos. 3:30 pm
"Drive-in Hanukkah"-The Chabad candlestick lighting in the North Peninsula includes the luminous experience of LA Rainbow Events, Jonathan Bayer's live music, the spinning top mascot, children's entertainment and donuts. In the San Mateo location where RSVP is provided. 5:30-6:30 PM 18 USD per car.
"Hanukkah Walk Art and Gift Fair"-Congregation Kol Emeth events include local artisans, restaurant vendors, snow play areas, Hanukkah characters meeting and greetings, photo booths, music and candlestick lighting, and hot chocolate sips'n 'Walk (extra cost). At Kol Emeth, 4175 Manuela Ave., Palo Alto. 4-9pm in the afternoon, 5 dollars per person, 18 dollars for a family of four.
Leo J. Ryan Park in Foster City-JCC Peninsula and other Jewish entities nearby invite the community to participate in candlelight lighting, offering Krispy Kreme donuts, latkes, gelt, dreidels, music and trivia. Encourage wearing masks. In Leo J. Ryan Park, Amphitheater District, 650 Shell Blvd., Foster City. Free from 7-8pm, registration is encouraged.
"Stanford Shopping Center Celebration"-weather permitting, suitable for families with children. Octopretzel's music, puppet shows, arts and crafts, spinning top games and candlestick lighting. Provided by Oshman Family JCC. At the Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto. 5-6:30 pm
"Pruneyard by candlelight"-including a short Lior Ben-Hur concert and reading "Larry's Latkes", a new book by Jenna Waldman, author of the local PJ library. Provided by Addison-Penzak JCC, nearby synagogues, day schools, etc. At Pruneyard Shopping Center, main stage, 1875 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell. 4:30-5:30 pm
"Hanukkah-Palooza"-PJCC, PJ Library and San Mateo Parents Club held an event on the Koret Lawn of PJCC. Handicrafts, games, magician Jeremy, magician David Martinez, waffle and French fries food trucks, canned food drives and candlestick lighting. Proof of vaccination, you need to wear a mask. In the peninsula JCC, 800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City. Free from 3-5 pm, early registration is encouraged.
Chabad Celebration in Palo Alto-Enjoy the last night of Hanukkah outside the city hall, including family activities, dancing, huge candlestick lighting, donuts, latkes and chocolate gels. At Palo Alto City Hall, 250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto. 4:30 pm