The Bay Area Jewish community is celebrating the Festival of Lights, which starts Wednesday night, with everything from holiday concerts and craft workshops to mitzvah opportunities and public menorah lightings. Here is a taste of Hanukkah events across the region.
Did we miss any? Let us know at [email protected].
SAN FRANCISCO
Monday | December 23
Songs of Light and Joy — The Jewish Folk Chorus of San Francisco performs Hanukkah concert with songs in Yiddish, English, Ladino and Russian. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 1-2 p.m. Free.
Wednesday | December 25
Hanukkah Gift Packing — Community for Jewish Seniors is looking for volunteers to put together Hanukkah gift bags for seniors. At Chabad of Cole Valley, 1300 Shrader St., S.F. 6-8 p.m. Free.
Thursday | December 26
Menorah Lighting on Haight — Public menorah lighting with latkes and music. Presented by Chabad of Cole Valley. At Haight and Stanyan St., S.F. 6-7 p.m. Free, RSVP by Dec. 25.
JCCSF Candle Lighting — Community hanukkiyah lighting in the atrium with live music, crafts and fried treats. Also Dec 27, 30 and 31. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 4-5 p.m. Free.
Lakeside Landing Menorah Lighting — Hanukkah event with games, hot chocolate and menorah lighting. Presented by Chabad of the Neighborhood. At Lakeside Landing, 2504 Ocean Ave., S.F. 4:45 p.m. Free.
Friday | December 27
“Fourth Friday: Hanukkah Edition” — Chabad of Cole Valley’s pop up shul with services, menorah lighting and Hanukkah inspired buffet dinner. At Chabad of Cole Valley, 1300 Shrader St., S.F. Free. 6:45-9 p.m. Free, RSVP by Dec. 25.
Sunday | December 29
Bill Graham Menorah Day — 49th annual menorah lighting in Union Square San Francisco with live music, dreidel house, kids crafts and entertainment. Members of the J. staff will be on hand, including Director of News Product David A.M. Wilensky, who will help light the giant menorah. Lighting each night of Hanukkah from Dec. 25 to Jan. 1, times and programs vary. Presented by the Bill Graham Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund and Chabad of SF. 2-6 p.m. Free.
Hanukkah Street Party — Annual holiday party with latkes, doughnuts, live music and activities for kids. At Shrader and Alma St., S.F. 3-5 p.m. Free, RSVP by Dec. 25.
Winter Wonderland Hanukkah — Celebration with menorah lighting, music from Jerry’s Kosher Deli All Star Band, ice skating rink, festive treats, arts and crafts and more. Presented by Kaiser Permanente. At Thrive City, 1 Warriors Way, S.F. 2-5 p.m. Free, registration required.
Wednesday | January 1
Car Menorah Parade — Car parade from Chabad of Cole Valley ending with a menorah lighting at City Hall. Meet at Chabad of Cole Valley, 1300 Shrader St., S.F. 6-9 p.m. Free, RSVP by Dec. 25.
NORTH BAY
Wednesday | December 25
“The Frisco Kid” — Screening of the Gene Wilder classic, with vegetarian Chinese dinner and menorah lighting. Wear Hanukkah attire, bring menorah and candles. At Congregation Beth Ami, 4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa. 4 p.m. $25 for members of a Sonoma County synagogue, $15 for kids under 16, $30 non-Sonoma County members. RSVP by Dec. 23.
Thursday | December 26
Hanukkah Dinner at Silverado Resort — Multi-course dinner with local wines. Menu includes ahi tuna tartare, tempura oyster mushrooms, potato latkes with crème fraîche, beet-cured salmon, salmon roe and chives, rack of lamb with couscous and butternut squash, and chocolate babka bread pudding. At Silverado Resort, 1600 Atlas Peak Road, Napa. 6-9 p.m. $75.
Marin Hanukkah Festival — Holiday celebration with live Israeli music, bounce house, carnival games, doughnut decorating, menorah-making workshops, kosher and Jewish-themed vendors and more. Presented by Chabads of Marin, Mill Valley, Novato and Tiburon. At Strawberry Village Shopping Center, 800 Redwood Hwy., Mill Valley. 12-4 p.m. Free.
Sebastopol Menorah Lighting — B’nai Israel Jewish Center presents second night public menorah lighting. At Central Park/Town Square, 6908 Weeks Way, Sebastopol. 5-6 p.m. Free.
Fairfax Hanukkah Festival — Holiday celebration with giant menorah lighting, live music by Saul Kaye, children’s activities, hot drinks, latkes, soup and a collaborative art mural. Presented by Chabad of West Marin. At the Redwoods in Bolinas Park, 66-88 Bolinas Road, Fairfax. 4:30-6:30 p.m. Free, RSVP to enter raffle.
Friday | December 27
“Hanukkah Oy Hanukkah” — Two Tribes and vocalist Lois Pearlman present holiday celebration and Yiddish concert featuring tunes in Yiddish, English and Ladino. With holiday treats. At Books and Letters, 14045 Armstrong Woods Road, Guerneville. 7-9 p.m. Free.
Petaluma Menorah Lighting — B’nai Israel Jewish Center presents third night public menorah lighting. At Helen Putnam Plaza, 129 Petaluma Blvd North, Petaluma. 4-4:45 p.m. Free.
Saturday | December 28
B’nai Israel Hanukkah Party — Holiday celebration with storytelling, menorah lighting, dinner and live music with songs in Hebrew, Yiddish and Ladino. At B’nai Israel Jewish Center, 740 Western Ave., Petaluma. 5-8 p.m. $25 before Dec. 20, $30 after Dec. 20, free for kids 12 and under.
Sunday | December 29
Tiburon Hanukkah Fair — Holiday celebration with latke bar, hot drinks, doughnut decorating, dreidel games, Hanukkah-themed activities, face painting, photo booth, live juggling show, klezmer band and giant menorah lighting ceremony. Presented by Chabad of Tiburon. At Fountain Plaza, Downtown Tiburon. 1-3 p.m. Free.
San Anselmo Hanukkah Celebration — Grand menorah lighting, live music, face painting, children’s activities, latkes, soup and fresh doughnuts. Presented by Chabad of West Marin. At San Anselmo Town Hall, 525 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo. 3:30-5:30 p.m. Free, RSVP to enter raffle.
Beth Ami Latke Dinner — Hanukkah dinner with schmoozing, board and card games, service and music. Bring menorah and candles. At Congregation Beth Ami, 4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa. 4 p.m. Free, RSVP by Dec. 24.
Monday | December 30
Point Reyes Station Hanukkah Festival — Grand menorah lighting, live banjo performance, crafts for kids, donuts, hot latkes and soup. Presented by Chabad of West Marin. At The Dance Palace, 503 B St., Point Reyes Station. 4:30-6 p.m. Free, RSVP to enter raffle.
Wednesday | January 1
“Jams for Joy” — B’nai Israel Jewish Center presents menorah lighting and Hanukkah concert featuring songs of the Grateful Dead and “Hasidic rock” by The Ferris Wheels. At B’nai Israel Jewish Center, 740 Western Ave., Petaluma. 5-9 p.m. $18 in advance, $25 at the door.
EAST BAY
Monday | December 23
Mostly Kosher — L.A.-based eclectic-klezmer rock band performs Hanukkah concert and celebration with dreidels, gelt and other treats. At Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. 6:30 p.m. $25-$65.
Wednesday | December 25
Hanukkah on Ice — Holiday event with ice skating, Jewish music, giant menorah and kosher food. Presented by Chabad of Contra Costa. At Civic Park Ice Rink, 1365 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. 7:15 p.m. $25, free for non-skaters.
Chochmat HaLev Hanukkah Gathering — Community celebration with singing, dancing, menorah lighting and vegetarian potluck. Bring menorah, candles and vegetarian dish to share. At Chochmat HaLev, 2215 Prince St., Berkeley. 5-8 p.m. Suggested donation, RSVP required.
Thursday | December 26
Afikomen Hanukkah Party — Singalong with Ben Kramarz and SingJam Friends, public menorah lighting, nosh and prizes. At Afikomen Judaica, 3042 Claremont Ave., Berkeley. 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Free.
Alamo Plaza Menorah Lighting — Annual Hanukkah celebration with candle lighting, live music, juggling, latkes and doughnuts. Presented by Chabad of Contra Costa. At Alamo Plaza Shopping Center, Alamo. 5 p.m. Free.
Friday | December 27
“Light Up The Night” — Jewish Gateways presents virtual Hanukkah event with singing, blessings and candlelighting. Online. 6-7 p.m. Free.
Hanukkah Shabbat Service and Dinner — Menorah lighting, festive family-friendly Shabbat service and latke dinner. Bring your own menorah. At Temple Beth Torah, 42000 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont. 5:30-8 p.m. Free, RSVP by Dec. 26.
Hanukkah Shabbat Celebration — Holiday event with Shabbat service, latkes and sufganiyot. Bring menorah and candles. At Temple Beth Torah, 42000 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont. 5:30 p.m. Donation.
Saturday | December 28
“Into The Dark” — Communal celebration ritual honoring Hanukkah and Kwanzaa with music, meditation and teachings from Lior Tsarfaty, Melanie DeMore, Bouchaib Abdelhadi and Laura Goldman. Ages 14 and up. At Chochmat HaLev, 2215 Prince St., Berkeley. 7-9:30 p.m. $39.
Sunday | December 29
Fremont Menorah Lighting — Hanukkah celebration with a giant balloon menorah, kid’s crafts, LED robot dancers, face painting, pinatas, a photobooth, hot dogs, soup and doughnuts. Presented by Chabad of Fremont. At Downtown Event Plaza, 3500 Capitol Ave., Fremont. 3:30-5:30 p.m. Free.
SOUTH BAY / PENINSULA
Friday | December 27
“A Hot Kugel Hanukkah” — Intimate concert and holiday celebration with menorah lighting. At Feldman’s Books, 1075 Curtis St., Menlo Park. 5 p.m. Free.
Hanukkah Sweater Shabbat—Shabbat service with kid-friendly activities, schmoozing, latke dinner, sufganiyot and community menorah lighting. Wear Hanukkah sweaters, scarves and other cozy holiday attire. Bring menorah and candles. At Congregation Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos. 5:30 p.m. Event is free, dinner is $10 for kids and $20 for adults.
Sunday | December 29
Santana Row Hanukkah Celebration — Holiday event with menorah lighting, kids activities, live music and more. At Park Valencia, 3055 Olin Ave., San Jose. 4-6:30 p.m. Free.
Mountain View Hanukkah Celebration — Holiday event with LED dancing robot, giant menorah lighting, childrens’ crafts, latkes, donuts, chocolate gelt and hot cocoa. Presented by Chabad of Mountain View. At Mountain View City Hall and The Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro Road, Mountain View. 4:30 p.m. Free.
Wednesday | January 1
Hanukkah on Main — Jewish Silicon Valley and APJCC present Hanukkah celebration with public menorah lighting. At Los Gatos Civic Center, 110 E Main St., Los Gatos. 4:30 p.m. Free.
BEYOND BAY AREA
Saturday | December 28
Millennials’ Hanukkah Party — Mendocino Coast Jewish Community presents Hanukkah schmooze for Jews in their 20s, 30s and 40s. With latkes, candy cap doughnuts and dancing. At Fog Bottle Shop and Wine Bar, 45104 Main St., Mendocino. 6:30 p.m. Free.
Sunday | December 29
MCJC Hanukkah Party — Mendocino Coast Jewish Community presents Hanukkah celebration with latke taste-off, menorah lighting, karaoke, raffle, dancing and music by Klezmishpoche. At Caspar Community Center, 15051 Caspar Road, Caspar. 4 p.m. Free.
Thursday | January 2
Hanukkah Train — Holiday train ride through Santa Cruz with Hanukkah music, latkes, hot apple cider, games and more. Presented by Chabad by the Sea and Roaring Camp. Meet at merry-go-round on Santa Cruz Boardwalk, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz. 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. departures. $35-$48.