This year Hanukkah or as some spell it “Chanukah” – begins on the evening of Thursday, December 7, and ends on the evening of Friday, December 15. There are 8 nights of Hanukkah and is a time to share the miracle of the Hanukkah story.
Hanukkah is a time for family, friends, joy, and light and is often a time for gifts for children. It’s also the only one of the Jewish holidays called the Festival of Lights.
More: Charities, Community and Worship
In honor of this meaningful Jewish tradition, many of the Jewish organizations local to Dallas-Fort Worth mark the beginning of the eight-day Festival of Lights by throwing menorah lighting ceremonies and Hanukkah events with kid-friendly activities and live music.
More: The Ultimate Holiday and Christmas Events near me: 8 great picks!
Here are the Hanukkah Events and Festivals nearest to you, all of them free and open to the public.
Menorah Making in the Park – Chabad Frisco
Date: Sunday, December 3, 11 a.m
Location: Limestone Quarry Park, 1230 Maltby Drive, Frisco TX 75035
Cost: $5 a child
Kids can craft a menorah, play with dreidels and gelt, and hangout at the park! The Monster Yoghurt Truck will be onsite with proceeds going towards the IDF in Israel.
Plano Lighting for Chanukah hosted by the Chabad of Plano and Collin County
Date: Thursday, December 7 5.30 pm
Location: The Shops at Willow Bend, outside in the Restaurant District.
Featuring: Remarks from City Leaders, Menorah lighting, dreidels, donuts, and latkes, light-up necklaces, and graffiti canvas with live music by IDF Officer Rav Pdaya. This event is free.
Everyone is welcome!
Galleria Dallas Chanukah Celebration
Date: December 7, 6pm
Location: Galleria Dallas’ Menorah is located on Level 1 near Tiffany & Co.
Galleria Dallas, 13350 Dallas Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75240
At the ceremony, Rabbi Andrew Paley of Temple Shalom will deliver remarks before he lights the menorah’s first candle. The lighting will be followed by a performance by Kol Shalom, Temple Shalom’s youth choir. Sufganiyot– jelly doughnuts – from Jarams will be served.
One candle on the menorah will be lit every evening through December 15.
Unite through Light
Date: Thursday, December 7, 5.30 pm
Location: JCC Dallas, 7900 Northaven Road, Dallas, TX 75230
Kindle the lights, sing traditional songs, and enjoy the Gelt drop and delicious holiday treats at the Jewish Community Center of Dallas.
We hope you’ll enjoy attending one of these great local Hanukkah events!
Hanukkah “Nights and Lights” in Plano
Date: Tuesday, December 12, 5 pm – 6.30 pm
Location: Heritage Farmstead Museum
Join local families who will be celebrating Hanukkah Lights on the Farm, as part of their Lights on the Farm series.
One of our local Hanukkah events and nights for our local Jewish community in and around Plano, Frisco, North Dallas, Richardson, and surrounding areas.
The event will feature a Menorah Lighting along with jelly doughnuts and other kosher treats, Dreidel spinning contests, and other fun activities for all ages.
The gathering is part of the annual Lights on the Farmstead, in which the Heritage Farmstead is transformed into a delightful winter wonderland with more than one million lights and numerous animated holiday displays.
Attendees for the menorah lighting will have the Farm to themselves for this special evening.
Admission for Hanukkah Lights is $3 per child and $7 per adult, a significant reduction in the general admission prices, which includes the food and activities and a chance to see other holiday light displays around the farm.
Frisco Community Celebration – Chabad Frisco
Date: Thursday, December 14, 6pm
Location: The Star, Frisco
Join hundreds of people from across DFW to celebrate the festival of light!
Live Musical Performance | Giant Menorah Lighting | Chocolate Gelt + Dreidels | Chanukah Treats | Kids Activities