The Best New Jersey Hanukkah
celebrations and events
Hanukkah (Chanukah) is an Eight Day Jewish Festival
Also known as the "Festival of Lights".
Hanukkah (Chanukah) 2023 starts at nightfall on December 7, 2023 and ends with nightfall on December 15, 2023, 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
2023 Hanukkah Celebrations in New Jersey
Northern New Jersey 2023
Hanukkah Celebrations
Hanukkah Cabaret
Thurday, November 30, 2023; 11am - 12:30pm
Temple Avodat Shalom
385 Howland Ave
River Edge, NJ
Registration
Cost: Suggest a donation of $10, which includes Exercise, Concert, and Kosher Lunch.
Hanukkah Cabaret with special guest Naomi Miller, featuring accompanist Dave Schlossberg. Sponsored by the Barbara and Nathan Schmidt Endowment.
Chatham Menorah Lighting
Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 7 p.m.
Reasoner Park Gazebo
Fairmount Avenue.
Chatham, NJ
Website
Driedels and Drinks
Thursday, December 7, 2023 • 24 Kislev 5784; 7:30 pm - 10pm
Bris Avrohom of Fair Lawn
30-02 Fair Lawn Avenue
Fair Lawn, NJ
201.791.7200
Reservations
Admission: $60 per person. After November 27: $65 per person
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!
Roseland Menorah Lighting
Thursday, December 7, 2023; 6:15pm
Monument Park in front of Borough Hall
140 Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
Website
Welcoming remarks and the ceremonial lighting will take place at 6:30 pm. Music, singing, and refreshments are in store!
A rabbi from a local synagogue will make remarks
Wayne Menorah Lighting
Thuresday, December 7, 2023: 7pm
Wayne Municipal Building
475 Valley Road
Wayne, NJ
Website
Free event
This celebration features a giant menorah lighting, latkes, doughnuts, festive music, Chanukah Gelt, and grand dreidel drop.
Wyckoff Menorah Lighting
Thursday, December 7, 2023; 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Wyckoff Town Hall
340 Franklin Avenue,
Scott Plaza
Wyckoff, NJ
Website
Grand Menorah Lighting at Ruckman Park
Sunday, December 10, 2023; 5:30pm
Ruckman Park
Corner of Ruckman Road and Piermont Road
Closter, NJ
Website
This event features a giant Ice Menorah lighting, latkes/doughnuts, Hot drinks, Music, and crafts for kids.
Franklin Lakes Menorah Lighting
Sunday, December 10, 2023; 4:00 PM (Rain or shine)
Franklin Lakes Borough Hall
480 DeKorte Drive
Franklin Lakes, NJ
201-891-4000
Website
Chabad NWBC will host their annual Chanukah Lighting Ceremony. This year a Hanukopter will fly over Municipal Field after the ceremony to drop dreidels and chocolate for the children. The celebration is centered around the lighting of the Borough Menorah by Rabbi Kaplan, and will be featuring for the first time a "Dreidel-Drop" from a helicopter. There will also be costumed mascots, light-up giveaways, crafts and traditional holiday refreshments including potato latkes, hot chocolate, donuts, and chocolate gelt! Flyer. All are welcome! There is no charge for food or participation. This event is sponsored by the Chabad Jewish Center in Franklin Lakes.
Little Falls Public Chanukah Celebration
Monday, December 11, 2023; 7:30pm
Wilmore Road Memorial Park
Corner Wilmore Road and First Ave
Little Falls, NJ
Website
This celebration features
a giant menorah lighting, latkes, doughnuts, and festive music.
Chanukah Illumination Celebration
Monday, December 11, 2023
Temple Emanu-El
756 East Broad Street
Westfield, NJ
908-232-6770
Website - Registration Register here for a timed entry.
Cost:
Suggested donation $18
Step inside and immerse yourself in the incredible lights of Chanukah like never before. Their social hall will be transformed with a unique curated visual experience, glow in the dark face paint, photo booth, DJ and so much more. Perfect for all ages. In the darkest of times we must always find the light.
Woodland Park Menorah Lighting
Monday, December 11, 2023; 7:30pm
Dowling Gardens
2 Dowling Parkway
Woodland, NJ
Website
This celebration features
a giant menorah lighting, latkes, doughnuts, and festive music.
Glen Rock Hanukkah Menorah Lighting
Wednesday, December 13, 2023; 6pm - 7pm
outside of Kilroy's Wonder Market
288 Rock Road
Glen Rock, NJ
Website
This family-friendly event, now in its seventh year, includes food, music, and a special Hanukkah menorah candle-lighting ceremony. This free community event is sponsored by the Chabad of NW Bergen County, with support from the Glen Rock Jewish Center and Jewish Families of Glen Rock.
Light Up The Night - Just Jake's Chanukah Party
Wednesday, December 13, 2023; 7:30 PM
Just Jake's
30 Park St.
Montclair, NJ
RSVP
Cost: $15 cover
This event features an evening of joy and Jewish Pride! Live music, kosher munchies, and a menorah lighting, of course!
Central New Jersey 2023
Hanukkah Celebrations
Pier Village Menorah Lighting
Thursday, December 7, 2023; at 6:00 PM
Pier Village
Long Branch, NJ
Website
This event
features a lighting of the Giant Menorah, Festive Music and Donuts. 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. The Menorah Lighting will take place rain or shine.
Chanukah Carnival
Sunday, December 10, 2023 • 27 Kislev 5784: 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Center for Jewish Life
176 Rt 79 North
Marlboro, NJ
RSVP only
732-316-7600
Features Arts & Crafts, Edible Menorahs, Donut Decorating, Game Booths with prizes, Menorah Lighting, Hebrew School Performance, games and a pizza lunch.
Admission: $25
Howell Township Christmas Tree & Menorah Lighting
Sunday, December 10,2023; 4:30 - 7:30 PM
Echo Lake Park
Echo Lake Pavilion
1205 Maxim Southard Rd
Howell Township, NJ
Website
Monroe Township Menorah Lighting
Sunday, December 10, 2023; @5pm
The Senior Center
12 Halsey Road
Monroe Twp, NJ
(609) 409-1000
Website
Freehold Menorah Lighting
Monsay, December 11th, 2023; 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Hall of Records
1 East Main St.
Freehold, NJ 07728
Website
Members of the community can enjoy lively music, latkes and doughnuts.
Jackson Menorah Lighting
Monday, December 11, 2023: 4:30 PM
95 West Veterans Highway
Jackson, NJ
Website
732-928-1200
Candles will be lit by Rabbi Shmeul Naparstek
Ocean, NJ Menorah Parade
Sunday, December 10, 2023; @4:30pm
Chabad of GMC
1 Poplar Place
Ocean, NJ
Registration
Line-up @ 4:30pm, doughnuts,
@ 6:15pm Menorah Lighting
Ocean Township Chanukah Festival
Monday, December 11, 2023; @6 PM
Ocean Township Municipal Center
399 Monmouth Rd
Oakhurst, NJ
Website
This fun family event features
a Menorah Lighting, Chanukah Gelt drop, entertainment, music, latkes, doughnuts, and dignitaries.
Palmer Square
Annual Menorah Lighting
Tuesday, December 12th, 2023: @ 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!
Red Bank Menorah Lighting
Monday, December 11, 2023; 6pm - 8pm
Riverside Gardens Park
42 West Front Street
Red Bank, Nj
Website
Menorah lighting led by Rabbi Dovid Harrison at 6 PM, with Donuts, Latkes & Live Music.
The Edison Township Menorah and Hanukkah Celebration
Wednesday, December 13th, 2023; 7:00PM
The Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County
1775 Oak Tree Road
Edison, NJ
732-494-3232
Website
Join in on the lighting of the Edison Township Menorah and Chanukah Celebration! The Lighting of the Menorah will be led by Hazzan Sheldon Levin of Congregation Neve Shalom. There will be musical entertainment and light refreshments served.
Jackson Chanukah Community Party
Wednesday,
December 13th, 2023; 4:30 PM through 7:00 PM
Chabad of Jackson
645 Cross Street
Lakewood, NJ
732-523-5112
RSVP
Suggested donation $10
This family event is open to all. It features the Great Dreidel Tournament, Menorah Lighting, dinner, music and crafts.
New Southern Jersey 2023
Hanukkah Celebrations
Chanukah Village Walk
Thursday, December 7th, 2023, 5pm - 7:15pm
Medford Village Park
Main Street
Medford, NJ
Website
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!
@
7pm Grand Menorah Lighting Corner Main Street & Allen.
Hainesport Chanukah Celebration
Thursday, December 7, 2023; @6pm
Hainesport Township Complex
1401 Marne Highway
Hainesport, NJ
Website
This event features the Menorah Lighting, with festive music, Latkes, and Donuts.
Chanukah on Ice
Saturday, December 9, 2023: 7pm - 8:30pm
The Flyers Training Center
601 Laurel Oak Road
Vorhees, NJ
856-874-1500
Website/Tickets
Cost:
Tickets are $15 at the door, $12 in advance. Ticket prices include skate rental, doughnuts and drinks.
This event features a giant Menorah Lighting, skate to Jewish music, donuts, hot latkes, crafts, and fun for all ages.
Hanukkah Fireworks at KBA
Sunday, December 10th, 2023; 4:30pm
Kellman Brown Academy
1007 Laurel Oak Road
Vorhees, NJ
Click here to register! 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.
South Jersey's Annual Car Menorah Parade!
Sunday, December 10th, 2023; Line up 3:00pm, Depart 4:00pm
The Chabad Center
1925 Kresson Road
Cherry Hill, NJ
Website/RSVP
Departure from The Chabad Center 1925 Kresson Road. Ends at Barclay Farms Shopping Center with a Grand Outdoor Menorah Lighting at 5:00pm, with music, giveaways, and more. open to all!
Parade through town with a car-top Menorah and police escort bringing safe and fun Chanukah cheer to the streets of Cherry Hill!
Haddonfield Menorah Lighting
Monday, December 11, 2023; @ 6pm
Library Point
60 N. Haddon Ave.
Haddonfield, NJ
856 - 874-1500
Website
This event features Latkes, Donutes, Music, Chanukah Cheer, and the public Menorah Lighting.
Ventnor Menorah Lighting
Tuesday, December 12, 2023; 5:30PM
Chabad at the Shore
6605 Atlantic Avenue
Ventnor, NJ
609-8228500
Website
Collingswood Chanukah Celebration
Wednesday, December 13, 2023; @6pm
Lumberyard Garden
Corner Collings ave, and North Atlantic Ave
Collingswood, NJ
Website
This event features Menorah Lighting with Latkes, Donutes, and Music.
Moorestown Menorah Lighting
Thursday, December 14th, 2023; @
6pm
Community House of Moorestown
16 E. Main St.
Moorestown, NJ
Website