Hanukkah events on Long Island
Families can learn to make latkes at The Cooking Lab in Port Washington. Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto/IriGri8
Hanukkah, also known as the festival of lights, lasts eight days beginning at sundown on Dec. 25 and continuing through sundown on Jan. 2. During this time, families gather and light the menorah in observance.
The holiday also offers fun for children including dreidel games, festive songs, gift giving and sweet treats like chocolate gelt.
Long Island will be hosting events that are welcome to all, including a Menorahcade, where cars sporting a light-up menorah drive through town, and classes on how to make latkes.
Listen to a Hanukkah concert
2034 Green Acres Rd., Valley Stream
Orthodox Jewish singer Aryeh Kunstler performs on stage. Credit: Jewish Giant
Hear holiday music performed by Jewish singer Aryeh Kunstler at 7 p.m. Dec. 21 at Green Acres Mall at center court.
Cost Free
More info shopgreenacres.com, 516-561-1157.
Hanukkah parade and movie screening
Sunrise Highway and Merrick Avenue, Merrick
Meet at the Long Island Rail Road Merrick station for a 5 p.m. menorah lighting followed by a 5:15 p.m. parade from the station to Chabad Center for Jewish Life (2174 Hewlett Ave.) on Dec. 25. There will be a Chinese dinner served and preschool-age, school-age and adult movie screenings at 5:30 p.m.
Cost Free; $18 suggested donation
More info chabadjewishlife.org, 516-833-3057.
Celebrate Hanukkah with festive treats
Newtown Lane, East Hampton
The event features a menorah lighting and live entertainment with acrobat, Wacky Chad, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 25. Attendees can also enjoy sweet treats like hot cocoa, doughnuts and latkes.
Cost Free; reservations suggested
More info chabadofthehamptons.com, 631-329-5800, ext. 4.
Attend a Hanukkah bowling celebration
Bowlero, 2183 Jericho Tpke., Commack
Come for the Hanukkah bowling celebration with latkes and doughnuts, 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 25.
Cost Tickets are $25 per person for two-hour bowling lane, shoes included; Reservations required.
More info thechaicenter.com, 631-351-8672.
Have brunch and make a craft
13 Woods Lane, East Hampton
The brunch, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 26 at Chabad House, features dreidel-shaped waffles, cereal and yogurt. Kids ages 5-12 can create their own LED Hanukkah display for their windows.
Cost $25 per person includes brunch; reservations required
More info chabadofthehamptons.com, 631-329-5800, ext. 4.
Join a Shabbat dinner
17 Woods Lane, East Hampton
The community dinner features challah, latkes, Shabbat and Hanukkah treats, pre-shabbat menorah lighting at 4 p.m.; 4:15 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat services followed by prayer and dinner at 5 p.m. Dec. 27.
Cost Free; reservations required
More info chabadofthehamptons.com, 631-329-5800, ext. 4.
Decorate your car for the Menorahcade
Woods Lane, East Hampton
Join the Menorahcade car parade and menorah lighting in East Hampton this holiday season. Credit: Musia Baumgarten
Join the car parade with a lighted menorah on the top of your car and drive through the streets of East Hampton at 6 p.m. Dec. 28; 6:30 p.m. departure.
Cost Free; reserve a menorah for your car.
More info chabadofthehamptons.com, 631-329-5800, ext. 4.
Go to the Hanukkah Wonderland
Bloomingdale's Court, Route 110, Huntington Station
Join a menorah lighting with gelt and arts and crafts, 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 29 at Walt Whitman Shops. Kids can also paint a dreidel, decorate a doughnut and get their face painted.
Cost Free
More info melvillechabad.com.
Play games at the Happy Hanukkah celebration
11 Davis Ave., Uniondale
Learn about dreidels and the history surrounding the symbol, 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 29 at Long Island Children's Museum for ages 3 and older. Kids will also decorate their dreidel to take home.
Cost Free with museum admission: $18
More info licm.org, 516-224-5800.
Celebrate Hanukkah on Main Street
Canal and Main Street, Brightwaters
The festival features music, latkes and chocolate gelt giveaways at 4 p.m. Dec. 29.
Cost Free
More info chabadofislip.com, 631-913-8770.