To loosely borrow from an old tune celebrating that “other holiday,” it’s beginning to look like a lot like Chanukah.
This year, the “Festival of Lights” — commemorating the Maccabean Revolt and rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BCE – will start at nightfall on Wednesday, Dec. 25, and concludes on Thursday evening. Jan. 2.
The Baltimore metropolitan area will host a wide array of programming and activities celebrating the holiday. Get your dreidels, gelt, menorahs, latkes and sufganiyot ready, because Chanukah is on its way.
Chag Chanukah Sameach — Wishing you a happy Chanukah!
Tuesday, Dec. 10
Come to Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, 7401 Park Heights Avenue, and join The Associated’s Young Adult Division’s Arts and Culture Collective for an evening of designing your own Chanukah sweater. With a variety of festive decorations and Chanukah-themed accents to choose from, you’ll have everything you need to make your sweater one-of-a-kind. The registration fee includes a sweater and materials, but feel free to bring your own decorations to add a personal touch. From 6:30 to 8 p.m.
For information, click here.
Questions? Contact Jacob Rivers at jrivers@associated.org or 484-925-9998.
Tuesday, Dec. 10
Join the Jewish Grandparents Network and the online workshop 18Doors for “Navigating Chanukah in Multifaith Families,” a holiday conversation with Rabbi Rebecca Joseph, a Jewish studies scholar and culinary historian, from 7 to 8 p.m.
For information about this virtual event, click here.
Wednesday, Dec. 11
The Chanukah House of Pikesville will return this year! The daily display will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. from Dec. 11th through Jan. 4th.
Located at 101 Brightside Avenue and presented by Wendy and David Hefter, the Chanukah House will hold a communal menorah lighting every night of the holiday celebrating with Chabad of West Pikesville, Friends of the IDF, Chai Lifeline, the Pikesville Volunteer Fire Co., Jewish War Veterans of Maryland, and other groups and individuals.
Visitors are welcome to explore the porch and lawn displays, and a PVFC gelt drop is planned for Dec. 26th. (Onsite security will be provided at the Chanukah House.)
For information, click here.
Saturday, Dec. 14
At Shabbat services starting at 10 a.m., Congregation Beit Tikvah in Roland Park will hold a discussion with the synagogue’s spiritual leader, Rabbi Doug Heifetz, about the Scroll of Antiochus, which recounts the Chanukah story and the victory of the Maccabees over the hellenistic Seleucid Empire. Beit Tikvah is located at 5802 Roland Avenue.
For information, visit beittikvah.org/event/rabbi-led-shabbat-service-12-14-24/.
Sunday, Dec. 15
The Jewish Library of Baltimore, at 5700 Park Heights Avenue, will hold an event from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. featuring author Jane Breskin Zalben, author of “Gingerbread Dreidels.” For information, visit associated.org/event/gingerbread-dreidels/.
Sunday, Dec. 15
Join the Jewish Connection Network and the Pearlstone Center for a “Chanukah Mitzvah Fair” from 2 to 4 p.m. at Pearlstone, 5425 Mount Gilead Road in Reisterstown. Volunteers will pack 2,500 winter care packages to be donated to those in need, in addition to making latkes over the fire, playing forest games and enjoying Chanukah-themed nature crafts.
For information, visit thejewishnetwork.org/event/chanukah-mitzvah-fair/?fbclid=IwY2xjawG-6F1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHXCLFQSuock4V6g7odAt7-fuZvooAUKkuO5qYPt7Ti1l8S8sRsF8BUZvtg_aem_ysOfl_rBSDkkIrFk5Sw5Bg.
Monday, Dec. 16
Jews United for Justice will present “Fry Everything! A Warm-Up to Chanukah Party” from 6 to 8 p.m. at Our Time Kitchen, 117 W. 24th Street in Baltimore. Activities include spinning dreidels, enjoying tasty treats and taking action together, all while staying warm by the fire pit on Our Time Kitchen’s outdoor patio.
For information, click here.
Monday, Dec. 16
Join the Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore for a workshop on creating Chanukah-themed challah boards using expressive art. This event will take place from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Weinberg Park Heights JCC, 5700 Park Heights Avenue.
For information, click here.
Tuesday, Dec. 17
Pikesville’s Chizuk Amuno Congregation, 8100 Stevenson Road, and the Goldsmith Early Childhood Center will present “A Night Under the Lights,” a dairy dinner and deep-dive into activities for Chanukah revelers of all ages (including a light museum, a photo booth, crafts and tattoos). From 5:30 to 7 p.m.
For information, click here.
Thursday, Dec.19
The Baltimore Zionist District will host “Light It Up For Israel,” a community-wide Chanukah celebration, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Event highlights will Include Israeli cuisine, a live DJ, holiday-themed arts and crafts, and spectacular shows in the spirit of the holiday.
For information, click here.
Thursday, Dec. 19
Come to the Owings Mills JCC, 3506 Gwynnbrook Avenue, at 5 p.m. for “Tradition to Table: Chanukah,” an event geared toward children in grades K-3rd. Come decorate holiday cookies and learn about the symbols of the festival.
For information, click here.
Thursday, Dec. 19
Come to the Gordon Center for Performing Arts, at 3506 Gwynnbrook Avenue in Owings MIlls, for an interfaith holiday comedy show. The show, from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m., features Nikkie Knowles, Carmiya Weinraub, Mudit Verma, Fish Stark and Shahryar.
For information, visit gordoncenter.com/event/interfaith-comedy-holiday-edition/.
Sunday, Dec. 22
Join Third Space at Shaarei Tfloh, 2001 Liberty Heights Avenue, and the Jews of Color Mishpacha Project from noon to 3 p.m. for a “Jews of Color Hanukkah Party.” Activities include board games, cards and crafts, including candle-making. Also, latkes, sufganiyot and pizza.
For information, click here.
Sunday, Dec. 22
From 1:30 to 4 p.m., Pikesville’s North Oaks Senior Living, at 725 Mount Wilson Lane, will be the scene of “Teen Service Pop Up: Chanukah Sunday Social Sunday,” an afternoon of community service. 4Front’s winter Teen Service Pop-Up will partner with Friendship Circle of Baltimore, an organization that brings happiness to children and young adults with special needs. Enjoy crafts, mitzvah projects, and socializing with Friendship Circle friends and North Oaks residents to help spread holiday joy.
For information, click here.
Sunday, Dec. 22
The JCC will host “Music & Magic: A Chanukah Spectacular” at the Gordon Center for Performing Arts, 3506 Gwynnbrook Avenue in Owings Mills. This family-friendly event will feature Grammy Award-winning musician Joanie Leeds and magician “The Amazing Max.”
Guests are encouraged to arrive at 3:30 p.m. for such activities as an olive oil demonstration, décor and Judaica creations, live music, glitter tattoos, storytime and more.
For information, click here.
Wednesday, Dec. 25
Chabad of Downtown’s YJP group will host a “Drinks & Dreidels Chanukah Party” at 5:30 p.m. at Power Plant Live, 34 Market Place. This event — for young Jewish professionals and graduate students between the ages of ages 22 and 38 — will feature an open bar, Chinese food, a menorah lighting, and gourmet latkes and donuts.
For information, click here.
Thursday, Dec. 26
Chabad Young Professionals of Columbia will present “Chanukah Strikes 2.0,” a night of bowling, food and festivities. This event will be held from 8 to 10 p.m. at Bowlero Columbia, 7100 Carved Stone.
For information, click here.
Friday, Dec. 27
Join Chabad of Ellicott City for a Chanukah celebration of light and dedication on Old Ellicott City’s Main Street. This free event at noon will feature latkes and doughnuts, festive music and a giant menorah lighting.
For information, visit chabadellicottcity.com/.
Saturday, Dec. 28
Baltimore’s An Die Musik concert venue will present its annual Chanukah concert with the Baltimore Klezmer All-Stars, featuring local musicians Seth Kibel, Michael Raitzyk, Rebekah Geller, Bob Abbott and Mark St. Pierre. An Die Musik is located at 409 N. Charles Street in Mount Vernon, and the concert begins at 7 p.m.
For information, click here.
Sunday, Dec. 29
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC, in partnership with Chabad of Park Heights, will present “Chanukah Wonderland,” a day of holiday inflatables, crafts, cookie-decorating, games and olive press demonstrations. Craft tables will be run by various community organizations, including card-decorating and writing for Israeli soldiers.
For information, click here.
Sunday, Dec. 29
Join Chabad of Hunt Valley for the highlight of its “Chanukah Block Party” week, featuring crafts, live music with a DJ, warm latkes and hot cider, dreidel mascots, glow-in-the-dark giveaways and a menorah lighting ceremony. This free event, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., will be presented near the fireplace at Hunt Valley Town Centre, 118 Shawan Road, and is sponsored by LifeBridge Health.
For information, click here.
Sunday, Dec. 29
The Katz Music Venue in Greengate presents “In The Arms of our Mothers,” a Chanukah celebration of music, song and dance honoring the heroic women of Jewish history. Featuring Meira Mandel, Hinda Rachel, Yael Friedman, Sara Leeba Caplan and Nomi Gordon.
The concert will start at 7:30 p.m. at the Katz Music Venue at Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah Hebrew Congregation, 7000 Rockland Hills Drive. Light refreshments will be served. Please note this concert is for women only. For information, visit mmae.org/event/hanukkah-concert-in-the-arms-of-our-mothers/.
Monday, Dec. 30
Chabad of West Pikesville will hold a community menorah lighting program at 4:30 p.m. on the lawn of the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 1726 Reisterstown Road. The lighting is in memory of Efraim Gordon.
Other activities will include music, light-ups, the eating of donuts and latkes, and a grand gelt drop with the Pikesville Volunteer Fire Co.
For information, visit facebook.com/p/Chabad-of-West-Pikesville-100080350937835/.
Monday, Dec. 30
Join Chabad of Ellicott City at 6 p.m. for a Chanukah celebration at Dorsey’s Search Village Center, 4765 Dorsey Hall Drive in Ellicott City. For information, visit chabadellicottcity.com/.
Wednesday, Jan. 1
Celebrate the Festival of Lights with MMAE Hebrew Congregation at its community-wide Chanukah party. Starting at 5 p.m., there will be a large menorah lighting, dinner, a dreidel competition, a latke eating contest, a raffle, arts and crafts, and a concert by LevSoul. This event is open to the community and the cost is $18 per adult, $10 per child.
You can pay online at this link or at the synagogue’s main office during normal business hours. For information, call 410-653-7485.
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