Despite a rainy first night of Hanukkah on Dec. 16, hundreds of people showed up at public menorah lightings (many of them outside) around the Bay Area. For a list of remaining lightings, see calendar.

On a dark and stormy night in Burlingame, the shammas shines brightly for Chabad of the North Peninsula. Rabbi Moshe Weinbaum: “The event was great despite the rain.”

The grand menorah in San Francisco’s Union Square photo/andy altman-ohr

In Fremont, 200 people braved a rainstorm to see Chabad of Fremont Rabbi Moshe Fuss light the first candle. The event was held at the Pacific Commons Shopping Center.

Rabbi Raleigh Resnick of Chabad of the Tri-Valley speaks alongside state Assemblywoman Catharine Baker at Hanukkah Wonderland at Stoneridge mall in Pleasanton.