Must-Visit 2025 Hanukkah Celebrations in NJ
✨ Hanukkah 2025 – Festival of Lights
Hanukkah 2025 begins at nightfall on December 14 and ends on December 22, lasting eight nights from the Hebrew calendar date of 25 Kislev. Known as the Festival of Lights, this joyous Jewish holiday commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in 165 B.C. and the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days.
Families celebrate by lighting the menorah, enjoying traditional foods like latkes and sufganiyot, playing the dreidel game, and exchanging Hanukkah gifts or gelt. Each evening, another candle is lit until all eight lamps shine brightly, symbolizing hope, faith, and dedication.
2025 Top Hanukkah Celebrations in New Jersey
PJ Library & CBT: Childrens Hanukkah Hoopla
Sunday, December 7. 2025
Congregation B'nai Tikvah
1001 Finnegans Lane
North Brunswick, NJ
Free event: Recommended for children ages 8 and under.
Children will paint their own menorahs, play games for prizes, go on a scavenger hunt, and enjoy music and refreshments …and more!
Chanukah Carnival - Marlboro
Sunday, December 14, 2025 • 24 Kislev 5786
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.
Hoboken Menorah Lighting
Sunday, December 14th, 2025 5PM until 6PM
Hoboken City Hall
94 Washington Street
Hoboken, NJ
Free for the entire community.
Bring the family as this years event features oin the community in UNITY for a Gelt Drop with the Hoboken Fire Department! Fabulous glow in the dark Chanukah swag, Latkes, Donuts, chocolate coins, music!
Chanukah Village Walk
Monday, December 15th, 2025, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Medford Village Park Gazebo
16 N Main Street
Medford, NJ
Admission: Free
Enjoy an enriching holiday experience for the whole family as Main Street Medford celebrates Chanukah.
The event features Latkes, Donuts and Hot Cider, Photo Booth, Chanukah Video Truck Presentation, Chanukah Beer at the Brewery, Crafts & Activities, Judah Maccabee, Holiday fun at Game on Arcade, Music and More!
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6:30 pm Grand Menorah Lighting Corner Main Street & Allen.
Galloway
Hanukkah Celebration of Lights
Monday, December 15, 2025: @2pm
Municipal Complex,
300 E. Jimmie Leeds 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.
Edison Township Menorah Lighting
Tuesday, December 16th, 2025:
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.
Freehold Menorah Lighting
Tuesday, December 16th, 2025; 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Hall of Records
1 East Main St.
Freehold, NJ
Members of the community can enjoy lively music, latkes and doughnuts.
Howell Township Menorah Lighting
Tuesday, December 16, 2025; 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Howell Muncipal Bldg,
4567 Highway 9 North
Howell Township, NJ
Hot drinks & pastries
Palmer Square
Annual Menorah Lighting
Tuesday, December 16th, 2025: @ 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!
Verona Hanukkah & Menorah Lighting
Tuesday, December 16th, 2025
@ 6pm
Verona Community Centerl
880 Bloomfield Ave.
Verona, NJ
The celebration feaures a festive gathering filled with music, fun activities, delicious fried treats, and a special menorah lighting.
Fair Lawn - Driedels and Drinks
Thursday, December 18, 2025, 28 Kislev 5786; 8 pm - 11pm
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!
Temple Sholom Hanukkah Menorah Lighting and Shabbat Dinner
Friday, December 19th, 2025
Temple Sholom
1925 Lake Ave
Scotch Plains, NJ
This event features the
Menorah Lighting:5:30pm Short Service. 6:00pm Followed by a Shabbat Dinner. There will be latkes!! Please bring your menorah to the service so we can celebrate together.
Hanover Twp Hanukkah Hoopla
Sunday, December 21, 2025
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.
Hanukkah Fireworks at KBA
Sunday, December 21st, 2025; 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.
Long Branch, Pier Village Menorah Lighting
Sunday, December 21st, 2025 @ 5:30 pm - 7 pm (rain or shine)
Pier Village
Long Branch, NJ
Celebrate the Festival of Lights at Pier Village! The event provided by Chabad of the Shore featuresd a joyful and meaningful Menorah Lighting Ceremony at 5:30 PM. Experience the warmth of community, tradition, and celebration as the menorah is lit overlooking the beautiful Pier Village promenade. Enjoy complimentary mini golf for all ages and festive Hanukkah donuts to sweeten the evening! Bring your family and friends for a night of light, laughter, and togetherness as we honor this cherished holiday. Free & open to the public. All are welcome!
