CHICAGO — Hanukkah is just around the corner, as it officially kicks off the evening of Dec. 14.
The Jewish Festival of Lights is celebrated across eight days with menorah lightings, fried foods like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (donuts) and playing with dreidels.
You can honor the Jewish holiday with events citywide throughout the month, including menorah lightings, happy hour socials, family-friendly festivals with music and crafts and by taking in live performances.
Know of an event we missed? Let us know at arts@blockclubchi.org.
Here’s a roundup of 11 Hanukkah celebrations happening in Chicago this month:
The Graystone Tavern decorated for the 8 Crazy Nights holiday pop-up bar. Credit: Instagram
Hanukkah Happy Hour
6-8 p.m. Dec. 10 and 17
The Graystone Tavern, 3441 N. Sheffield Ave.
Enjoy “games, gelt and great people” at these Hanukkah Happy Hour events at The Graystone Tavern, home of Chicago’s first and only Hanukkah-themed pop-up bar. The first happy hour event is geared toward people ages 21-29, and the second is designed for millennials and Gen X.
Learn more and register for the Dec. 10 event here. Register for the Dec. 17 event here.
Hanukkah Menorah Lighting & Drag Queen Storytime
4-5 p.m. Dec. 14
Swedish American Museum, 5211 N. Clark St.
Andersonville is celebrating Hanukkah with a drag queen storytime led by “drag bubbie” Merriam Levkowitz, musical performances and a menorah lighting to cap off the festivities.
Learn more and register here.
Chicago Kids Chanukah Party
4-6 p.m. Dec. 14
Bubbles Academy – West Town, 1308 N. Elston Ave.
Bubbles Academy is hosting a family-friendly Hanukkah celebration with music, dancing, games, dreidel, an art project and snacks.
Learn more and register for $30 per child here. Up to two adults can accompany each registered child; adults and babies younger than 6 months attend free.
Hakuna Ma-Hanukkah
7 p.m. Dec. 15
The Graystone Tavern, 3441 N. Sheffield Ave.
Chicago drag Bubbie Merriam Levkowitz is hosting this 21+ Hanukkah event featuring live performances, games, prizes and a Hanukkah-themed food and drink menu.
Learn more and register for $17.85 here.
Hanukkah & Book Event With David Montalvo
7 p.m. Dec. 15
Beth Shalom B’nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation, 6601 S. Kedzie Ave.
Celebrate Hanukkah with this community event featuring a book talk and signing with David Montalvo, author of “Shabbat in Chicago.”
Learn more here.
Grand Menorah Lighting Ceremony
5:40-7:30 p.m. Dec. 16
Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St.
Hosted by the Chicago Jewish Alliance and Chabad of the Loop and Gold Coast, this community Hanukkah celebration will feature live music and hot treats to take in alongside its menorah lighting.
Learn more and RSVP here.
‘Hanukkah, Shmanukkah’ at Greenhouse Theater Center
6:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 18
Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.
Directed by Melanie Ann Apel, this world premiere show of “Hanukkah, Shmanukkah!” by Esmé Raji Codell follows teacher Ms. Eb and her students as they travel to the days of the Maccabees and back, learning about how much has changed since their ancestors arrived in American the early 20th century. The play celebrates the history and traditions of Hanukkah and the importance of remembering where they came from.
Learn more and buy tickets here.
Havdalah Hanukkah Party
4:30-6:30 p.m. Dec. 20
Mishkan Chicago HQ, 4001 N. Ravenswood Ave., #101
At Mishkan HQ’s Hanukkah party, there will be Havdalah-making, dreidel spinning, songs, latkes and sufganiyot. Guests are invited to bring their own menorah or hanukkiah.
Learn more and register here.
‘A Rugrats Chanukah’
11 a.m. Dec. 21
The Logan Theatre, 2646 N. Milwaukee Ave.
This free family event kicks off at 11 a.m. with arts and crafts in the theater lounge, followed by a double-feature screening of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “A Rugrats Chanukah,” in which the young friends learn the full story behind the holiday. More info here.
Laugh Your Latkes Off
2 p.m. Dec. 21
Chicago Loop Synagogue, 16 S. Clark St.
This Chanukah comedy celebration features video clips from artists including Modi, Adam Sandler and The Maccabeats. There will also be a buffet and a menorah lighting after sundown.
Admission is a minimum $10 donation. Learn more and register here.
Chanukah Winter Wonderland
5-7 p.m. Dec. 21
NEWCITY, 1457 N. Halsted St.
This winter wonderland-themed event features a menorah lighting at 5:30 p.m., kosher Hanukkah treats, activities and crafts, face painting, balloon twisting and a DJ as part of its entertainment on display.
This event is free to attend and open to all ages. Learn more and register here.
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