Skip to main content

Hanukkah Events for Seattle-Area Families

Celebrate with menorah lightings, sweet treats and hands-on crafts

Headshot of author Julie Dodobara, she is pictured from the torso up, standing on a boat with a waterfuall in the distance
 | 

Published on: December 05, 2024

Hanukkah family kids menorah dreidel events Seattle Bellevue Eastside
Photo:
iStock

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 dLights 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. 

Cookie decorating is a Hanukkah event for families in Seattle
Decorating cookies for Hanukkah is fun for the whole family. Photo: iStock 

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

Menorah lightings are Hanukkah events for families in Seattle
Attend one of the many community menorah lightings happening throughout our region. Photo: iStock

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.

JOIN THE PARENTMAP COMMUNITY
Get our weekly roundup of Seattle-area outings and parenting tips straight to your inbox.

Share this resource with your friends!