Hanukkah Celebrations around Chicago
Last updated December 2024
Gather your family for these fun-filled Hanukkah events.
Photo of Daley Plaza Menorah by Anthony Vazquez of the Chicago Sun-Times
Shine Bright: A Hanukkah Workshop
West Ridge Center
636 Ridge Rd
Highland Park IL 60035
December 11, 2024, 6-7p
$15 residents / $18 non-residents
Join us for this Hanukkah Workshop and embrace the spirit of the holiday! Experience familiar traditions, fun surprises and delicious treats with family, friends and others in the community. There will also be a Hanukkah themed story, read by the published author herself, along with crafts and music.
I Have a Little Dreidel: Hanukkah Celebration
Mishkan Chicago HQ
4001 N Ravenswood Ave #101
Chicago IL 60613
December 14, 2024, 330-430p, $36 per family
Geared towards ages 4 and under, this Hanukkah celebration will feature singing to Hanukkah songs and exploring crafts and activities. Enjoy snacks and sufganiyot together too!
Sensory Sensitive Hanukkah Celebration for Neurodivergent Kids
Mishkan Chicago HQ
4001 N Ravenswood Ave #101
Chicago IL 60613
December 14, 2024, 530-730p
This Hanukkah celebration is designed to support kids who have sensory sensitivities and may struggle to enjoy large family programs. Drop in at any time and stay as long as you’d like. There will also be many educators in the room to engage and support your child.
Bubbles Academy
2184 N Elston Ave
Chicago IL 60614
December 14, 2024, 4-6p, $30 per child
Join jBaby and the Bubbles Academy team in Bucktown for a Chanukah celebration with music, games, art and snacks. Ms. Amelia from Bubbles will lead an interactive concert with singing and dancing for the whole family. Then, there will be open play, as well as learning how to play dreidel, taught by the jBaby team. There will also be a Chanukah-themed art project, and yummy treats for the holiday.
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins
Writers Theatre
325 Tudor Court
Glencoe IL 60022
December 14, 2024-January 5, 2025
Saturdays & Sundays only, 4 & 7p
Tickets start at $20, with a FREE ticket option
Strawdog Theatre Company presents Hershel & The Hanukkah Goblins. In this 1 hr long musical adaptation of Eric Kimmel's Caldecott Honor-winning book, a traveling troupe of actors comes to town to find no one celebrating Hanukkah. To save the holiday, they must tell the tale of Hershel of Ostropol and his quest to outwit the goblins who haunt the old synagogue.
Bernard Weinger JCC
300 Revere Drive
Northbrook IL 60062
December 15, 2024, 2p-330p, $15 per family
At this family-friendly event, owner of Tigertail Bakery, Anya Viner will teach you how to braid and decorate a delicious Challah-kiah. The kosher dough and tools will be provided, along with a baking tray so that you can bake your creation at home. There will also be cookie decorating, creating edible menorahs, painting with dreidels and giveaways.
Online Event
December 17, 2024, 7p
$15, with a pay-what-you-can option [min $5]
Chicago A Capella’s artistic Director John William Trotter, Founder Jonathan Miller, and Mezzo-soprano Emily Price host an online Hanukkah celebration featuring concert footage of songs from their Miracle of Miracles: Music for Hanukkah recording on Cedille Records.
Fountaindale Public Library District
300 W Briarcliff Rd
Bolingbrook IL 60440
December 19, 2024, 130-215p, FREE Drop-in
Celebrate Hanukkah with a special storytime at the library.
Lincolnwood Community Center
4170 Morse Ave
Lincolnwood IL 60712
December 19, 2024, 530-7p, R: $18 / NR: $22
Celebrate Hanukkah at the Lincolnwood Community Center. Enjoy the menorah lighting, festive activities and community spirit.
Downers Grove Public Library
1050 Curtiss St
Downers Grove IL 60515
December 20, 2024, 4-445p, FREE Drop-in
Play all-things-dreidel, by building a LEGO dreidel, learn how to play the game and compete in dreidel challenges.
Bubbles Academy
1736 1st St., Ste 102B Rear
Highland Park IL 60035
December 21, 2024, 10a-12p, $30 per child
Get creative with Miss Melissa by decorating a Hanukkah house to celebrate the Festival of Lights. A light snack will be provided and there will be open play for the kids.
Menorah Workshop at Home Depot
Home Depot
655 Lake Cook Rd
Deerfield IL 600615
December 22, 2024
Sessions at 2p, 245p, 330p and 415p
Build your own menorah and meet the dreidel mascot. There will also be Chanukah treats. This FREE workshop is sponsored by Chabad of Northbrook and Chabad of Deerfield.
Mishkan Chicago HQ
4001 N Ravenswood Ave #101
Chicago IL 60613
December 25, 2024, 430-630p, $20 for non-Builders / $10 for Builders
Hang out with Rabbi Lizzi! The menorah will be lit, Hanukkah songs sung and a dreidel or two spun. BYO Menorah or Hanukkiah.
Village Hall lawn
1200 Wilmette Ave
Wilmette IL 60091
December 25, 2024, 530p
Celebrate Chanukah with Chabad of Wilmette and the Wilmette/Kenilworth Chamber of Commerce, at the annual lighting of the menorah. There will also be a juggling performance by Judah Maccabee and Dreidelman, prizes and giveaways.
Lakeview Menorah Lighting Ceremony
Intersection of Lincoln & Marshfield
Lakeview, Chicago
December 25, 2024, 6-730p
The annual Menorah Lighting Ceremony will be returning in Lakeview, on the first night of Chanukah. Gather around the Community Menorah for holiday festivities, treats and gift bags. Presented by Special Service Area 27 and The Chabad of Lakeview.
Hanukkah Menorah Lighting at Pendry Chicago
Pendry Chicago
230 N Michigan Ave
Chicago IL 60601
December 25, 2024–January 2, 2025, Nightly at dusk
Gather together in the lobby of Pendry Chicago, every evening at sunset, during the eight days of Hanukkah, for the lighting of the menorah. Enjoy complimentary prosecco toast on the first and last nights of the celebration.
Tannenbaum Chabad House
2014 Orington Ave
Evanston IL 60201
December 26, 2024, 530p
Celebrate Hanukkah and ignite a public 10ft menorah at Fountain Square in Evanston. The celebration will feature greetings from Mayor Biss, live music, an LED robot dancer and Hanukkah treats.
Menorah Lighting at Giddings Plaza
4731 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago IL 60625
December 28, 2024, 6p
All are invited to celebrate Chaunkah at the Chabad of Lincoln Square’s annual public menorah lighting ceremony in Lincoln Square. There will be traditional holiday treats, music and entertainment.
Fourth Night, Fourth Light at Gallagher Way
No info released yet for 2024
Join the JCC Chicago at Gallagher Way for this FREE Hanukkah celebration. Kick off the evening with a DJ, live entertainment, giveaways and the candle lighting. You will then have a chance to explore Gallagher Way’s Winterland. Pre-registration is required for your free entry into the park and to hang out in the private room with snacks, giveaways and a cash bar.