Hanukkah begins this year on the evening of Thursday, Dec. 25, 2024, and lasts eight nights, through Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. While family is at the center of this celebration, there are also ways to connect with the wider community. Menorah lightings, crafts, activities and adored traditional treats and eats are all on the table this season to mark the Jewish Festival of Lights. Happy Hanukkah to all!
Hands On Hanukkah events
Date and time: Select dates, Dec. 7–15
Cost: Activities are free; some events require admission
Stroum Jewish Community Center brings Hanukkah fun to families! Hands On Hanukkah sessions take place at a number of different community events including Redmond Lights and Garden d'Lights in Bellevue. The celebrations will include free activities for kids.
Hanukkah cupcakes from Trophy Cupcakes
Date and time: Available Dec. 26–Jan. 2
Cost: $36 per 6-pack of cupcakes; additional items and gift packs available
Cupcakes! That’ll get everyone’s attention. Trophy Cupcakes is once again offering Hanukkah-themed cupcake packs. Preorder now and pick them up at any of the store’s locations or have them delivered. Other treats and gift packs are available, too!
More family activities
Family Fun: Make Candy Dreidels
Date and time: Saturday, Dec. 14, 2–3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Make your own tasty version of a dreidel using marshmallows, chocolate candies, and pretzels at the Newcastle Library then learn to play the game with the finished product.
Hanukkah Cookie Decorating
Date and time: unday, Dec. 8, 3 –4:30 p.m.
Cost: $10–$15 per family
Making sweet treats for the holidays is a tried-and-true family tradition. Join families at the Stroum Jewish Community Center to decorate cookies with frosting and delicious toppings.
Discover Hanukkah
Date and time: Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2–2:45 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join the Chabad of Maple Valley at the Maple Valley Library to discover the traditions of Hanukkah through stories, crafts and more.
Hanukkah Concert + Celebration: Dan Nichols & Eighteen
Date and time: Sunday, Dec. 15, 3–5:30 p.m.
Cost: $25 adults; $20 youth
Sing along to Jewish communal anthems like "Chazak" and "Sweet as Honey" at Stroum Jewish Community Center's Hanukkah rock concert. Arrive early at 3 p.m. to enjoy Hands on Hanukkah craft tables and treats at this fun event for the whole family.
Family Hanukkah Celebration
Date and time: Friday, Dec. 20, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Cost: $55–$65 per family
All families are invited to celebrate the Festival of Lights with a delicious pizza dinner, lots of all-ages fun activities and a community menorah lighting, complete with gifts for the little ones.
Dreidel Workshop at the Home Depot
Date and time: Sunday, Dec. 15, 11 a.m.–noon
Cost: Free
Kids can join a free workshop to build a complete dreidel game at the Aurora Village Home Depot. There will also be doughnuts, gelt and menorah fun.
Enjoy a combined Festival of Lights when folks gather to celebrate Diwali and Hanukkah during the Christmas season. Traditional Indian dances (Garba and Dandiya), candle lightings and dinner are all part of the celebration. $20–30; ages 5 and younger free.
When: Saturday, Dec. 9, 5–10 p.m.
Celebrate Hanukkah with a dance party at All That Dance! Kids can play games, dance around and enjoy the Festival of Lights with others. $40.
When: Sunday, Dec. 10, 10:30 a.m.–noon
Skate into Hanukkah merriment with Chabad of the Central Cascades’ annual Hanukkah on Ice celebration at Sno-King Ice Arena in Snoqualmie. $20; ages 4 and younger free.
When: Sunday, Dec. 10, 3–5 p.m.
Don’t miss the fun on the ice at Hanukkah at the Kraken. Skate to your favorite holiday music, light the grand menorah on the ice and enjoy festive goodies at our local hockey team’s community iceplex.
When: Sunday, Dec. 10, 4:15–6:15 p.m.
The Royal Room is where you’ll find this family-friendly celebration that includes performances by three amazing bands, crafts for kids and latkes for all. Seating is first come, first serve and admission is by donation.
When: Tuesday, Dec. 12, 5:30–10 p.m.
Community menorah lightings
Menorah Lighting on Alki Beach
Date and time: Wednesday, Jan. 1, 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join West Seattle Torah Learning Center for a chocolate gelt drop, 12-foot menorah lighting, donuts and music at Alki Beach on the eighth night of Hanukkah.
Come for a traditional menorah lighting and share in the story of Hanukkah at the grand menorah lighting at Kirkland Marina Park by Chabad of Kirkland. Free.
When: Thursday, Dec. 7, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
A comedy show and stilt walkers are part of this year’s Hanukkah celebration at the Renton Landing that also features treats, a fire-truck gelt drop and giant menorah lighting. Free.
When: Thursday, Dec. 7, 5:45–7 p.m.
Celebrate the first night of Hanukkah with Chabad of Capitol Hill at this community menorah lighting at Volunteer Park in Seattle. Free.
When: Thursday, Dec. 7, 5:15–6 p.m.
Embrace the Hanukkah spirit when Greenwood Ave. turns into a Hanukkah village complete with a menorah lighting, scavenger hunt and more. Meet at Alice Ball Park for the lighting. Free.
Giant Menorah Lighting
Date and time: Sunday, Dec. 29, 4–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Fun family attractions such as balloon twisting, music, chocolate gelt and doughnuts are part of Chabad of Snohomish County’s giant menorah lighting at Lynnwood City Hall. Free.
Join the Shoreline community when people gather to light the 9-foot tall menorah and enjoy latkes, donuts and other holiday treats. Finish it off with a fire-truck gelt drop. Free.
Push out darkness with light at a public menorah lighting in Downtown Bellevue Park by Chabad Downtown Bellevue. Join for delicious eats, crafts, music and more. Registration is appreciated. Free.
When: Sunday, Dec. 10, 5 p.m.
Pop-up Hanukkah
Date and time: Sunday, Dec. 29, 5–6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Gather at Junction Plaza Park for West Seattle’s beloved annual Pop-up Hanukkah with a grand menorah lighting, songs and doughnuts.
Gather to light a grand menorah in Downtown Issaquah with Chabad of the Central Cascades, and rejoice with gelt, traditional latkes and doughnuts, music and more. Free.
When: Thursday, Dec. 14, 6:30–7 p.m.
