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Hanukkah begins this year on the evening of Thursday, Dec. 25, 2024, and lasts eight nights, through Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. While family is at the center of this celebration, there are also ways to connect with the wider community. Menorah lightings, crafts, activities and adored traditional treats and eats are all on the table this season to mark the Jewish Festival of Lights. Happy Hanukkah to all!
Family activities
Hands On Hanukkah Events
Date and time: Select dates, Dec. 7–15
Cost: Activities are free; some events require admission
Stroum Jewish Community Center brings Hanukkah fun to families! Hands On Hanukkah sessions take place at a number of different community events including Redmond Lights and Garden d’Lights in Bellevue. The celebrations will include crafts and free activities for kids.
Hanukkah Cookie Decorating
Date and time: Sunday, Dec. 8, 3–4:30 p.m.
Cost: $10–$15 per family
Making sweet treats for the holidays is a tried-and-true family tradition. Join families at the Stroum Jewish Community Center to decorate cookies with colorful frosting and delicious toppings.

Family Fun: Make Candy Dreidels
Date and time: Saturday, Dec. 14, 2–3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Make your own tasty version of a dreidel using marshmallows, chocolate candies and pretzels at the Newcastle Library, then learn to play the game with the finished product.
Pre-Hanukkah PJ Palooza
Date and time: Sunday, Dec. 15, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Cost: Free; pajamas available for purchase
Gear up for Hanukkah and make your own Hanukkah pajamas, listen to a story by PJ Library, help build a giant Lego menorah and more at this fun and festive event held at Seattle Waldorf School.
Dreidel Workshop at the Home Depot
Date and time: Sunday, Dec. 15, 11 a.m.–noon
Cost: Free
Kids can join a free workshop to build a complete dreidel game at the Aurora Village Home Depot. There will also be doughnuts, gelt and menorah fun.
Hanukkah Concert + Celebration: Dan Nichols & Eighteen
Date and time: Sunday, Dec. 15, 3–5:30 p.m.
Cost: $25 adults; $20 youth
Sing along to Jewish communal anthems like “Chazak” and “Sweet as Honey” at Stroum Jewish Community Center’s Hanukkah rock concert. Arrive early at 3 p.m. to enjoy Hands On Hanukkah craft tables and treats at this fun event for the whole family.
Hanukkah Story Hour & Paint Your Own Menorah
Date and time: Sunday, Dec. 15, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Bring the whole family to the Bellevue Library for Hanukkah story hour where kids can also paint their own menorah and enjoy chocolate gelt.
‘The Magic of the Light’: A Hanukkah Concert From Seattle Jewish Chorale
Date and time: Sunday, Dec. 15, 4–6 p.m.
Cost: $25 adults; $18 youth
Bring the family to enjoy an all-ages concert presented by the Seattle Jewish Chorale at Temple Beth Am in Seattle. Celebrate the season with music from traditional melodies to Broadway-esque showstoppers.
Discover Hanukkah
Date and time: Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2–2:45 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join the Chabad of Maple Valley at the Maple Valley Library to discover the traditions of Hanukkah through stories, crafts and more. Preregister.
Family Hanukkah Celebration
Date and time: Friday, Dec. 20, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Cost: $15–$20 single tickets; $55–$65 per family
All families are invited to celebrate the Festival of Lights at Stroum Jewish Community Center with a delicious pizza dinner, lots of all-ages fun activities and a community menorah lighting.
Hanukkah Celebration of Lights and Latke Party
Date and time: Saturday–Sunday, Dec. 21–22, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Cost: Food for purchase
‘Tis the season for delicious eats. Zylberschtein’s Delicatessen & Bakery in Seattle will be serving up hot latkes and seasonal beverages at its festive Latke Party. Join the celebration!
Hanukkah Cupcakes From Trophy Cupcakes
Date and time: Available Dec. 26–Jan. 2
Cost: $36 per six-pack of cupcakes; additional items and gift packs available
Cupcakes! That’ll get everyone’s attention. Trophy Cupcakes is once again offering Hanukkah-themed cupcake packs. Preorder now and pick them up at one of the store’s designated locations or have them delivered. Other treats and gift packs are available, too!
Hanukkah Celebration
Date and time: Sunday, Dec. 29, 4–6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Highline Heritage Museum is hosting a Hanukkah celebration with the Chabad of Burien and Federal Way. All are invited to learn about Hanukkah traditions and take part in the festivities.
Hanukkah on Ice
Date and time: Sunday, Dec. 29, 5–6:30 p.m.
Cost: $14; $5 skate rental ages 6 and older; $7 ages 5 and younger
Skate into Hanukkah merriment with Chabad of the Central Cascades’ annual Hanukkah on Ice celebration at Sno-King Ice Arena in Snoqualmie.
Hanukkah at the Kraken
Date and time: Monday, Dec. 30, 2:30–4 p.m.
Cost: $20 per person; ages 3 and younger are free
Don’t miss the fun on the ice at Hanukkah at the Kraken. Skate to your favorite holiday music and enjoy festive goodies and traditions at our local hockey team’s community iceplex.
Community menorah lightings

Grand Menorah Lighting
Date and time: Wednesday, Dec. 25, 4:30–5:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 28, 6–7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Chabad of the Central Cascades is hosting two menorah lightings in Issaquah: one in downtown Issaquah on Dec. 25 and another at Grand Ridge Plaza on Dec. 28. Gather to light a grand menorah and rejoice with gelt, traditional latkes, doughnuts, music, crafts and more.
Grand Menorah Lighting and Hanukkah Celebration
Date and time: Wednesday, Dec. 25, 4:30–5:15 p.m.
Cost: Free
Celebrate the first night of Hanukkah with Chabad of Capitol Hill at this community menorah lighting at Volunteer Park in Seattle.
Hanukkah Village in Greenwood
Date and time: Sunday, Dec. 29, 4–6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Embrace the Hanukkah spirit when Chabad of NW Seattle transforms into Hanukkah Village, complete with an outdoor menorah lighting, scavenger hunt, Lego menorah building, tasty food and more. You’ll find festive fun for all ages.
Giant Menorah Lighting
Date and time: Sunday, Dec. 29, 4–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Fun family attractions such as balloon twisting, music, chocolate gelt and doughnuts are part of Chabad of Snohomish County’s giant menorah lighting at Lynnwood City Hall.
Haunkkah Celebration at BAM
Date and time: Sunday, Dec. 29, 4:15–5:45 p.m.
Cost: Free
Push out darkness with light at a public menorah lighting at Bellevue Arts Museum by Chabad Downtown Bellevue. Join for delicious eats, games, music and more. Registration is appreciated.
Pop-Up Hanukkah
Date and time: Sunday, Dec. 29, 5–6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Gather at Junction Plaza Park for West Seattle’s beloved annual Pop-Up Hanukkah with a grand menorah lighting, songs and doughnuts.
Giant Menorah Lighting: Glow in the Dark Hanukkah Celebration
Date and time: Monday, Dec. 30, 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join the Shoreline community when people gather to light the 9-foot tall menorah and enjoy latkes, doughnuts and other holiday treats. Kids can make their own wax candle. It all finishes off with a gelt drop by a fire truck at Shoreline City Hall.
Menorah Lighting at U Village
Date and time: Monday, Dec. 30, 6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Catch a performance by KlezKids at Chabad of Seattle’s annual menorah lighting held at University Village.
Menorah Lighting on Alki Beach
Date and time: Wednesday, Jan. 1, 4:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join West Seattle Torah Learning Center for a chocolate gelt drop, 12-foot menorah lighting, doughnuts and fire show at Alki Beach on the eighth night of Hanukkah.
More holiday season fun for Seattle-area families: |
Editor’s note: This article was originally published many years ago and was updated most recently in December 2024 by ParentMap's calendar editor, Julie Dodobara, to include this year's Hanukkah events.