Hanukkah officially begins at sundown on Sunday, Dec. 14, and South Florida is jumping right into celebrations.
Bring the family to a preholiday fest before lighting the candles at home, or light them together with other Jews during community-wide menorah lightings.
Festivities start in the afternoon on Sunday and continue throughout the eight nights. So, whip out your favorite Hanukkah-themed sweaters, get your dreidels ready and prepare for a festive holiday.
Below, find holiday events happening throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties.
BROWARD COUNTY
Las Olas Chabad Jewish Center’s Grand Chanukah Festival
Start your celebrations early with the Grand Chanukah Festival on Las Olas. With everything from face painting and a petting zoo to mechanical rides and music, kids of all ages will enjoy the preholiday event. A menorah lighting is scheduled for 4 p.m.
WHEN: 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14
WHERE: Las Olas Chabad Jewish Center, 1302 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
COST: $25 for children ages 2-16 (includes unlimited rides), free for adults
INFORMATION: jewishfl.org/events/festival
Chabad of Coconut Creek’s Chanukah Celebration
Starting at 5 p.m., the Promenade at Coconut Creek will have feature entertainment (including fire jugglers!), traditional jelly donuts, and kids’ crafts before a communitywide candle lighting to commemorate the first night of Hannukah.
WHEN: 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14
WHERE: Promenade at Coconut Creek, 4467 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek
COST: Free
INFORMATION: promenadeatcoconutcreek.com/events
Fort Lauderdale’s Menorah Lighting Celebration
Head to Las Olas for a traditional menorah lighting. Hanukkah music will bring a festive air to the event, as community members recite blessings and join together to welcome in the Jewish holiday.
WHEN: 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14
WHERE: Las Olas Oceanside Park, 3000 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
COST: Free
INFORMATION: parks.fortlauderdale.gov/special-events
46th annual South Florida Chanukah Festival
Revel in the final night of Hanukkah with the South Florida Chanukah Festival, hosted by Chabad of South Broward. Billed as “South Florida’s largest Jewish concert,” the event features musicians such as Avraham Fried, Zusha and Joey Newcomb.
WHEN: 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21
WHERE: Rick Case Arena, 3051 Ray Ferrero Jr Blvd., Davie
COST: Tickets start at $20
INFORMATION: chabadsouthbroward.com
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Mega Chanukah Street Fair
Chabad of Greater Boynton Beach and its early childhood education program, Beit Blumi, will join forces to host the annual Mega Chanukah Street Fair. A boutique will be on-site for your last-minute shopping needs, plus an obstacle course, BMX bike show, petting zoo, rock climbing wall, carnival swings, and a large gelt drop for the kids.
WHEN: 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14
WHERE: Chabad-Lubavitch of Greater Boynton Beach, 10655 El Clair Ranch Road, Boynton Beach
COST: Suggested donation of $36 per family
INFORMATION: chabadboynton.com/megachanukah
B’nai Torah Hanukkah Celebration
B’nai Torah Congregation in Boca Raton is celebrating the joy of the season with an event for all ages. A DJ-led dance party will be accompanied by Hanukkah characters, games and activities. There also will be holiday-inspired bites.
WHEN: 4.p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14
WHERE: B’nai Torah Congregation, 6261 SW 18th St, Boca Raton
COST: $15 per person, $45 per family
INFORMATION: btcboca.org/event
Chanukah Festival and Menorah Lighting
Old School Square in Delray Beach will play host to this annual festival on the first night of Hanukkah. Join Chabad of East Delray and the city in celebrating, with sufganiyot, latkes and cotton candy, plus bounce houses, glitter tattoos and a giant bubble show following the 6 p.m. menorah lighting.
WHEN: 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14
WHERE: Amphitheatre at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach
COST: Free
INFORMATION: delrayoldschoolsquare.com/events
Hanukkah Celebration at Juno Beach Town Center
If you’re looking to spice up your nightly menorah routine, head to Juno Beach Town Center for the third night to light candles with the community and enjoy a sampling of traditional Hanukkah foods.
WHEN: 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16
WHERE: Juno Beach Town Center, 340 Ocean Drive
COST: Bring a festive food to share
INFORMATION:: juno-beach.fl.us/community
PJ Library Light Up the 4th night of Chanukah
Join PJ Library and the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County for a festive fourth night at Boca Center. Start the evening with crafts and storytime at 5 p.m., followed by a candle lighting and live concert featuring Rock N’ Roll Rabbi David Paskin.
WHEN: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17
WHERE: Boca Center, 5150 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton
COST: Free
INFORMATION: jewishboca.org/events
Chanukah at Boynton Beach City Hall
This community-wide event aims to amplify Jewish solidarity and pride. The inaugural event will feature a fire show, music and refreshments as well as the official lighting of the city menorah.
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18
WHERE: Centennial Park & Ampitheater, 120 E. Ocean Ave., Boynton Beach
COST: Free
INFORMATION: chabadboynton.com/cityhallrsvp
Palm Beach Synagogue West’s Hanukkah Celebration
At this point, the holiday will be coming to a close, but the community celebrations continue! Head to CityPlace for a festive event featuring live music, doughnuts and latkes.
WHEN: 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19
WHERE: CityPlace, 700 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach
COST: Free
INFORMATION: cityplace.com/west-palm-beach-events
Chanukah at Delray Marketplace
Close out the holiday at Delray Marketplace with its giant ice menorah. Sip on hot cocoa and apple cider while enjoying a Hebrew school choir and firetruck gelt drop. There will also be a Hanukkah-themed sensory play area for babies, bounce houses, latkes and doughnuts.
WHEN: 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21
WHERE: Delray Marketplace Amphitheater, 9025 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach
COST: Suggested donation of $36 per family
INFORMATION: delrayjewish.org
