Top Ways To Celebrate Hanukkah In Philadelphia
December is the month of lights. Twinkling Christmas trees and the Hanukkah menorah are sparkling symbols of hope during the holiday season. Aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents gather throughout Philadelphia homes during the eight days of Hanukkah with candle lightings, songs, games, special food, prayers and laughter. Round up the relatives and check out these Philly events that celebrate the Festival of Lights.
8th Day Live In Concert
Lubavitch of Bucks County
25 North State Street
Newtown, PA 18940
215-497-9925
www.jewishcenter.info/
Date: December 23, 2014
Join Lubavitch of Bucks County as we celebrate Chanukah with 8th Day Live in Concert! Bring the whole family for a concert, a community Menorah lighting and hot latkes! We expect a sellout crowd like last year's concert, so buy your tickets early!
Menorah Lighting 7:00 PM
Concert: 7:30 PM
Adults $18
Children (under 12) $12
Ticket prices go up after December 19
For more information and to reserve: jewishacademy.info or cal 215-497-9925.
Chanukah Bowl
Lubavitch of Montgomery County
1311 Fort Washington Ave.
Fort Washington, PA 19034
(215) 591-9310
www.chabad.org
Date: Dec. 21, 2014
Take your holiday traditions to a new level by attending Chanukah Bowl. Lubavitch of Montgomery County, in Fort Washington, knows how to celebrate in a big way. Pizza, arts and crafts, a menorah lighting and live entertainment make this an event for the memory books. It's set for December 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Chanukah Cafe Chabad
Chabad of the Main Line
625 Montgomery Ave.
Merion Station, PA 19066
(610) 660-9900
www.chabadmainline.org
Date: Dec. 17, 2014
Leave the kids with a babysitter for an adults-only holiday happening at Chabad of the Main Line in Merion Station. Cafe Chabad is featuring a Dairy Bistro and Game Night on December 17. A dairy bistro menu, desserts and a wide array of specialty beers will be on hand, and you can BYOB with Kosher certification. Cost is $25 person. Register online or by phone.
Chanukah On Ice
Haverton Skatium
1002 Darby Road
Haverton, PA 19083
(610) 660-9900
www.chabadmainline.org
Date: Dec. 21, 2014
Work off those high-calorie holiday foods with some exercise. Chabad of the Main Line and Chabad of Penn Wynne have been hosting Chanukah On Ice for a couple of years now, making it one of the must-do events of the season. Kids and adults alike can show off bracket turns and axel jumps at the Haverton Skatium on December 21, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cost is just $10 per person, including skate rental. Dress appropriately.
Chanukah Wonderland
Suburban Square
6 Coulter Ave.
Ardmore, PA 19003
(610) 896-7560
www.chabadmainline.org
Date: Dec. 16, 2014
For the height of holiday cheer, pack the kids in the car, pick up the grandparents on the way and head to Suburban Square for Chanukah Wonderland. The event takes place on December 16, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Unless you wear elastic waist pants, don't eat dinner beforehand! Latkes and decorate-your-own donuts are available, and a menorah lighting and games, including Guess the Dreidel, make this a family affair to remember.
Related: Ask A Philadelphia Chef: Top Latke Recipes For Hanukkah
Chanukah Wonderland
Village at Newtown South
2106 South Eagle Road
Newtown, PA, 18940
www.jewishcenter.info/
Date: Thursday, December 4 - Tuesday, December 23
Celebrate Chanukah with Chanukah Wonderland! FREE children activities! Full Chanukah store with a large assortment of Chanukah gifts, menorahs, candles and so much more! To get the full Chanukah Wonderland schedule, click here.
South Jersey's Annual Car Menorah Parade
Chabad Lubavitch
1925 Kresson Road
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
(856) 874-1500
www.chabadcenter.org
Date: Dec. 21, 2014
The lighting of the menorah is central to celebrating the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The age-old tradition reminds Jews of the miracle of the Hanukkah lights, the astounding eight-day oil burning at the reclaimed Holy Temple of Jerusalem. In celebration of this sacred event, South Jersey's Annual Car Menorah Parade is set for December 1. Free menorahs will be affixed to car rooftops at Chabad Center's starting point beginning at 4:30 p.m. The caravan of candle-topped cars will depart at 5 p.m. and arrive at Saharah Sam's Oasis at 5:45 p.m. for a menorah lighting at 6 p.m. To reserve your spot, call or register by filling out the online form. If you don't want to drive, you can simply sponsor a vehicle for $18, $36 or $54.
Susan DeFeo has been a professional writer since 1997. She served as a community events columnist for New Jersey's "Cape May County Herald" for more than a decade. A writer for numerous online publications, Susan has covered health, fitness, beauty and travel, all subjects that are near and dear to her as a married mother of seven children. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
