Hanukkah begins this year on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, and lasts eight nights, through Monday, Dec. 26. 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!
Hands On Hanukkah events
This year, the Stroum Jewish Community Center brings Hanukkah fun to you! Hands On Hanukkah sessions take place at a number of different King County locations, and the fun will include free activities for kids and yummy treats.
When:
- Friday, Dec. 9, 6–9 p.m. at Redmond Lights
- Sunday, Dec. 11, 2–5 p.m. at Third Place Books, Seward Park
- Saturday, Dec. 17, 4:30–7:30 p.m. at Garden D’Lights
- Tuesday, Dec. 20, 4–6 p.m. at Stroum Jewish Community Center
- Wednesday, Dec. 21, 4–6 p.m. at Crossroads Bellevue
- Thursday, Dec. 22, 3–6 p.m. at University Village
Sweet treats
Cupcakes! That’ll get everyone’s attention. Trophy Cupcakes is once again offering Hanukkah-themed cupcake packs. Preorder now and pick them up at any of the store’s locations or have them delivered. Other treats and gift packs are available, too!
When: Available Dec. 16–26.
There’s another sweet way to celebrate your Hanukkah season. Mighty-O Donuts, a locally owned doughnut shop with five locations around Seattle, once again plans to serve up limited-edition sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts). These sweet treats are available for special order starting Dec. 14. Check the shop’s Facebook page for updates.
When: Preordering starts Dec. 14, pick up orders Dec. 18–26. Hours vary by location.
More family activities
The Power Petite, a maternity and kids’ clothing consignment boutique, hosts friends from PJ Library for a free Hanukkah story time. Bring your outgrown winter clothing items to donate to families in need.
When: Saturday, Dec. 10, 9:15 a.m.
Join Stroum Jewish Community Center for stories and songs with two Sephardic children’s authors who will read from their books about their Jewish-Cuban families. $5 per person; ages 2 and younger free; or free with book purchase.
When: Sunday, Dec. 11, 10–11 a.m.
Chabad of the Central Cascades invites kids to make colorful tie-dye creations at a Hanukkah celebration in Issaquah, where they can also also enjoy doughnuts and play with dreidels. $5 per person.
When: Sunday, Dec. 11, 11–12:30 p.m.
Gather the kids for stories and songs about Hanukkah at this virtual program with King County Libraries. Free; preregister.
When: Tuesday, Dec. 13, 10:30–11 a.m.
PJ Library has teamed up with Temple Beth Am in Seattle for a family shabbat followed by Hanukkah cookie decorating. The whole family is encouraged to attend this fun morning filled with songs, stories and cookies provided by Zylberschtein’s Deli. Cost is TBD but will be under $15 per family.
When: Saturday, Dec. 17, 9:30–11:30 a.m.
Secular Jewish Circle of Puget Sound holds its annual Hanukkah party featuring lots of latkes, plus other food, games, songs and group lighting of menorahs. Register for precise location. Cost is a $10 donation per non-member adult.
When: Sunday, Dec. 18, 5–8 p.m.
Skate into Hanukkah merriment with Chabad of the Central Cascades' annual Hanukkah on Ice celebration at Sno-King Ice Arena in Snoqualmie. $18; ages 4 and younger free.
When: Sunday, Dec. 18, 4–6 p.m.
Don’t miss the fun on the ice at Hanukkah at the Kraken. Skate to your favorite holiday music, light the grand menorah on the ice and enjoy festive goodies at our local hockey team’s community iceplex.
When: Sunday, Dec. 18, 4–6 p.m.
Rabbi Yohanna Kinberg will be reading some of her favorite Hanukkah selections at Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Totem Lake for this special Hanukkah story time. Free.
When: Monday, Dec. 19, 6–7 p.m.
Kids can join a free workshop to build a menorah at the Aurora Village Home Depot. There will also be doughnuts, gelt and dreidel fun. Free.
When: Wednesday, Dec. 21, 4:30–5:30 p.m.
Community menorah lightings
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. Free.
When: Sunday, Dec. 18, 4–5 p.m.
Come for a traditional menorah lighting and share in the story of Hanukkah at the grand menorah lighting at Kirkland Marina Park by Chabad of Kirkland. Free.
When: Sunday, Dec. 18, 4–6 p.m.
A light and stunt show will light up the Renton Landing at this celebratory event featuring Hanukkah treats, a fire-truck gelt drop and giant menorah lighting. Free.
When: Sunday, Dec. 18, 4:30 p.m.
Gather at Junction Plaza Park for West Seattle’s beloved annual Pop-up Hanukkah with a grand menorah lighting, songs and doughnuts. Free.
When: Sunday, Dec. 18, 5–6 p.m.
Celebrate the second night of Hanukkah with Chabad of Capitol Hill at this community menorah lighting at Volunteer Park in Seattle. Free.
When: Monday, Dec. 19, 5:15–6 p.m.
Push out darkness with light at a public menorah lighting in Downtown Bellevue Park by Chabad Downtown Bellevue. Join for delicious eats, hot drinks, music and more. Free.
When: Tuesday, Dec. 20, 5:30–7 p.m.
Chabad of Seattle hosts its annual menorah lighting at U Village with a special performance by Klez Kids. Free.
When: Tuesday, Dec. 20, 6 p.m.
Gather to light a grand menorah in Downtown Issaquah with Chabad of the Central Cascades, and rejoice with gelt, traditional latkes and doughnuts, music and more. Free.
When: Tuesday, Dec. 20, 6 p.m.
Embrace the Hanukkah spirit with a menorah lighting, latkes, sufganiyot and a fire truck for kids at Bergen Place in Ballard. Don’t miss the great gelt drop from the fire engine! Free.
When: Thursday, Dec. 22, 4–6 p.m.
You’ve got another chance to join a grand menorah lighting in Issaquah with Chabad of the Central Cascades, this time at Grand Ridge Plaza. Celebrate with gelt, yummy fare, music and more. Free.
When: Sunday, Dec. 25, 6 p.m.
Hanukkah concerts
Enjoy new arrangements of traditional Hanukkah songs as well as Jewish music from Ukraine at this concert by Seattle Jewish Chorale at Temple Beth Am. Tickets are $18–$25 per person.
When: Sunday, Dec. 18, 1:30–3:30 p.m.
The whole family will have fun singing and dancing along with the Jewish a cappella group The Maccabeats. In-person shows are now sold out, but there are still two live-streamed shows available. Tickets are $20–$30 per household.
When: Sunday, Dec. 4, 4–5:30 p.m. and 6:30–8 p.m.
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