Must-Visit Hanukkah Celebrations in NJ

A Guide to the Best NJ Hanukkah Celebrations

Hanukkah (Chanukah) is an Eight Day Jewish Festival
Also known as the "Festival of Lights".

Chanukah (Hanukkah) 2024 starts at nightfall on December 25, 2024 and ends with nightfall on January 2, 2025, beginning on the Hebrew calendar date of 25 Kislev, and lasting for eight days.

The Eight Day Jewish Festival is also known as the "Festival of Lights."

Hanukkah, the Hebrew word for dedication, commemorates the re-dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem which was vandalized after the Greek King of Syria forbade the Jews from worshipping or practicing many of their faith's rituals. The temple was reclaimed after a battle with the Syrian army for eight days and nights in 165 B.C.

The holiday is celebrated by the lighting of the menorah. According to the Talmud, at the re-dedication of the temple, there was only enough consecrated olive oil to fuel the eternal flame in the Temple for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, which was the length of time it took to press, prepare, and consecrate fresh olive oil. Each night of the festival of lights, another light on the menorah is lit until all eight lamps shine on the eighth night.

Hanukkah is also a joyful celebration, especially for children. After lighting the Hanukkah candles together, families and invited guests will eat and play games. Traditional Hanukkah food is oil-rich in commemoration of the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days. Potato pancakes are a Hanukkah favorite. Israelis eat Hanukkah dough nuts called soofganiot. Dreidel (sivovon in Hebrew) is a traditional Hanukkah game, with game rules so simple that the whole family, from toddlers to grandparents can play together. The custom of giving Hanukkah gelt (money) to children has evolved into a gift-giving tradition in many Jewish families today

Stay tuned! We will be updating this list as event sponsors post their events

2024 Hanukkah Celebrations in New Jersey

Chanukah Carnival - Marlboro
Sunday, December 15, 2024 • 14 Kislev 5785: 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Center for Jewish Life
176 Rt 79 North
Marlboro, NJ
Admission: $25
Features Arts & Crafts, Edible Menorahs, Donut Decorating, Game Booths with prizes, Menorah Lighting, Hebrew School Performance, games and a pizza lunch.

Hanukkah Fireworks at KBA
Sunday, December 15th, 2024; 4:30pm
Kellman Brown Academy
1007 Laurel Oak Road
Vorhees, NJ
Registration is encouraged
Free; Open to the Community
This event features Hanukkah candle lighting, games, music, sweet treats, and a spectacular fireworks display! All activities will be held outdoors.

Hanukkah Hoopla
December 15th, 2024:3:30pm until 4:30 PM
Congregation B'nai Tikvah
1001 Finnegans Lane
North Brunswick, NJ
Free admission
Recommended for Children 2 to 8 years-old
Join in for an afternoon of fun celebrating Hanukkah with games, crafts, and a special live performance by Mr. Ray (mrray.com)

West Orange Hanukkah Family Celebration
December 15th, 2024: 3pm until 5pm
JCC MetroWest
760 Northfield Avenue
West Orange, NJ
Cost: $20
Open to all ages
This festive event features Hanukkiah Making, Imagination Playground Space, Hanukkah Crafts, Yummy Treats to Eat, with performances by Bobby Beetcut and Israeli Dancers.

Hanukkah Glow Party
Tuesday, December 17th, 2024: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Temple Emanu-El of Closter
180 Piermont Rd,
Closter, NJ
This festive Hanukkah celebration features a Hanukkah sweater contest, a glow party with DJ, a festival of donuts and latkes, games, sweets, treats and much more!

Klezmer – Let's Rejoice! – Hanukkah Celebration and Lunch
Tuesday, December 17, 2024:11:15 am - 12:15 pm
JCC of Central NJ
1391 Martine Avenue
Scotch Plains, NJ
Cost: Special $10 holiday lunch for members and non members
The event features a performance of all your favorite Klezmer hits by acclaimed international concert musician Dr. David Podles. The showcasing of Klezmer music with plenty of freilehs, bulgars and horas to get your toes tapping and your hands clapping! A journey of playful celebration and happiness, illustrating the immortal Jewish spirit.

Palmer Square Annual Menorah Lighting
Wednesday, December 18th, 2024: @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Nassau Inn Patio
10 Palmer Square
Princeton, NJ
The event features great music, great food and great fun for everyone. It has been a tradition for many years to celebrate Hanukah. A free event open to the community!

Edison Township Menorah Lighting
December 19th, 2024: 7pm unti 9pm
JCC of Middlesex County
1775 Oak Tree Rd
Edison, NJ
This event is free and open to all.
Join local dignitaries, community members and friends at the Lighting of the Menorah. Musical entertainment by Courtney Colletti. Light refreshments will be served.

Galloway Hanukkah Celebration
Friday, December 20, 2024: @2pm
New Day Family Success Center
622-624 S. New York Road
Galloway, NJ
Free admission
Come together to celebrate Hanukkah with an open mind and refreshments.
The Family Success Center's goal is to enrich the lives of children and adults by making families stronger and empowering them to succeed.

Fair Lawn - Driedels and Drinks
 Thursday, December 26th, 2024; 7:30 pm - 10pm
Bris Avrohom of Fair Lawn
30-02 Fair Lawn Avenue
Fair Lawn, NJ
An elegant, social evening for adults in celebration of Chanukah! Menorah lighting, entertainment, open bar, sushi and desserts. Music and dancing! Reserve your own table with friends!

Franklin Lakes Menorah Lighting
Thursday, December 26th, 2024; 4:00 PM (Rain or shine)
Franklin Lakes Borough Hall
480 DeKorte Drive
Franklin Lakes, NJ
All are welcome! There is no charge for food or participation.
Chabad NWBC will host their annual Chanukah Lighting Ceremony. This year a Drone Show will fly over Municipal Field after the ceremony. The celebration is centered around the lighting of the Borough Menorah by Rabbi Kaplan, and will be featuring for the first time a Drone Show. There will also be costumed mascots, light-up giveaways, crafts and traditional holiday refreshments including potato latkes, hot chocolate, donuts, and chocolate gelt!

Howell Township Menorah Lighting
 Thursday, December 26, 2024; 4:30 - 7:30 PM
Howell Muncipal Bldg,
4567 Highway 9 North
Howell Township, NJ
Hot drinks & pastries

Verona Hanukkah & Menorah Lighting
Thursday, December 26th, 2024 @6pm
Verona Town Hall
600 Bloomfield Ave.
Verona, NJ
The celebration begin with tunes from Rabbi Dan's Midnight Nosh Band, while kids can enjoy activities arranged by Verona's MIAAC committee. Delicious fried treats and refreshments will be available for all to enjoy.

Hanover Twp Hanukkah Hoopla
Sunday, December 29, 2024
Hanover Township Community Center
15 North Jefferson Road
Whippany, NJ
Bring your menorah for a Community Lighting. There will be Dancing, Latkes, Gelt, Crafts and Dreidel play.

Long Branch, Pier Village Menorah Lighting
 Sunday, December 29th, 2024 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm (rain or shine)
Pier Village
Long Branch, NJ
This event features a lighting of the Giant Menorah, Festive Music, Miniature Golf, Donuts, Latkes, Entertainment and a Gelt Drop. Rabbi Laibel Schapiro, Rabbi Yaakov Greenberg from the Chabad of the Shore and Mayor, John Pallone of the City of Long Branch will officiate the lighting.

Rockaway Chanukah Festival & Gelt Drop
December 29th. 2024 @5pm
The WML Women's Clubhouse
100 White Meadow Road
Rockaway, NJ
This family festive Chanukah celebration begins the evening with a thrilling fire juggling show and a menorah lighting on the lawn, followed by a gelt drop from a fire truck—complete with parachutes!
The celebration will continue indoors with plenty of excitement for the entire family. Kids can decorate their own donuts with fun fillings at the donut decorating station, explore a Chanukah crafts corner, and enjoy a strolling juggler. We'll also have hot chocolate, latkes, and other delicious treats for everyone to savor. Plus, don't miss the stunning giant balloon menorah, which will be lit indoors. This event is free and open to the entire community.

Freehold Menorah Lighting
Wednesday, December 30th, 2024; 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Hall of Records
1 East Main St.
Freehold, NJ
Members of the community can enjoy lively music, latkes and doughnuts.