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21 Hanukkah Celebrations in Los Angeles

Updated for 2023

This year, the first night of Hanukkah begins on December 7th. This eight-night Festival of Lights is being celebrated all around Los Angeles and Southern California with lots of fun, memorable events. Here are sites hosting family-friendly Hanukkah celebrations, including both in-person and virtual events. 

A note on spelling: We’ve chosen to spell this Jewish Holiday “Hanukkah,” but other spellings are used by some of the venues listed here. This article helps explain where some of the different spellings come from. However it is spelled, Hanukkah is a wonderful holiday to celebrate in Los Angeles!

Looking for Hanukkah Meals and Latkes in Los Angeles? Take a peek at our list. Need gift ideas? See our list of Made-in-Los Angeles Gifts and our annual Holiday Gift Guide. Want to see a Holiday Show or see the Holiday Light Displays? We have those lists, too!

Happy Hanukkah Los Angeles menorah

Hanukkah Events in Los Angeles 2023

Hanukkah in Santa Monica
Thursday, December 7 through Thursday, December 14 | Sundown

Celebrate the Festival of Lights during the Hanukkah season with nightly menorah lightings on the 1400 block of Third Street Promenade (located between Santa Monica Blvd and Broadway). The lighting ceremonies will begin at sundown. The final lighting ceremony will take place at the ice rink. 

Menorah Lighting at Santa Monica Place 
395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica 90401

Join Santa Monica Place for a nightly Menorah Lighting from December 7-15 in Center Plaza.

Hanukkah Festival at the Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049

Gather with family and friends to make new memories at the Skirball on Sunday, December 10th from 12pm-5:30pm! ?Beloved klezmer rockers Mostly Kosher return to headline this year’s festival with support from dublab DJ Callie Ryan. Skirball Storytellers bring the Hanukkah story to life with a theatrical performance featuring music and puppetry. Between performances, take a spin in our Dreidel Lounge, grab a plate of latkes and jelly doughnuts, strike a pose in a holiday-themed photo booth, light up the night with a handcrafted torch-making activity, or join a storybook reading and dance lesson inspired by the game of dreidel. At sundown, join your light with ours for a unique candle lighting that celebrates community and hope. 

Menorah Lighting Ceremonies
Palisades Village, 15225 Palisades Village Drive, Pacific Palisades 90272
The Commons at Calabasas, 4799 Commons Way, Calabasas 91302
The Grove, 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles 90036

In partnership with the Chabad Jewish Community Center of Pacific Palisades, Palisades Village will once again host its Menorah Lighting Ceremony on December 7 at 6pm. Celebrating the first of eight nights of Chanukah, the festivities will begin at 4:30pm and include family-friendly activities, musical entertainment and traditional refreshments, followed by greetings from City officials and blessings from Rabbi Zuche.

The Commons at Calabasas will host its annual Menorah Lighting Celebration on December 12 at 6:30pm, providing a magical and safe joining place for community members to gather and celebrate the significant holiday. The evening will consist of live musical entertainment, family-friendly activities, Chanukah treats and the lighting of the menorah, concluding with a dazzling firework show.

In addition to the two scheduled Menorah Lighting Ceremonies at Caruso properties, Palisades Village, The Grove and The Commons at Calabasas will host a nightly lighting of the menorah from December 7 to December 15.

tall golden menorah

Menorah Lightings
1400 block of Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401 

Downtown Santa Monica celebrates the Winterlit with nightly menorah lightings beginning December 7th through December 14th, taking place at sundown. Different synagogues and groups are invited each night to light the menorah and will host their own ceremony or celebration.

Fashion Island Menorah Lighting featuring the OC Klezmers
Fashion Island Atrium Garden Court near Barnes and Noble 

On Thursday, December 7, 5:30 pm – You’ll find Chanukah entertainment, Chanukah crafts, Dreidels and doughnuts, Balloon animals, Gifts and treats for the kids, and Musical entertainment. Hosted by Chabad Center for Jewish Life.

Chanukah Concert & Gelt Drop
Chabad Center for Jewish Life, 2240 University Dr., Newport Beach

Join the community for a Menorah Lighting, Chanukah Crafts, Gifts for children, and Dreidels and doughnuts. Outdoors overlooking the Back Bay, Sunday, December 10, 1:00 pm.

Chanukah on the Canals Parade and Party
The Open Temple
1422 Electric Ave., Venice, CA 90291

The Open Temple in Venice invites families to its Hanukkah on the Canals Parade happening on December 10th. Enjoy music performed by Open Temple Band, dreidels, and donuts.

Chanukah Winter Wonderland
Point Dume Village
29169 Heathercliff Rd., Malibu, CA 90265

Chabad of Malibu invites you to Chanukah Winter Wonderland where you can enjoy hot latkes, doughnuts, music, live entertainment, menorah lighting, and more! This festival of lights includes nightly menorah lighting, special prayers, and food beginning December 7th.

dreidel for Hanukkah

Chanukah Fun On the Plaza
The Original Farmers Market
6333 W. Third St., Los Angeles, CA 90036 

The Original Farmers Market hosts a Chanukah celebration on December 10th. Musicians will perform, and there will be crafts and a special menorah lighting ceremony.

Hanukkah in the Foothills
New Hope Community Church
10438 Oro Vista Ave., Sunland, CA 91040

The Annual Hanukkah in the Foothills event is happening on December 14th. Enjoy a fun, free community event and come hungry — potato latkes will be served.

Grand Menorah Lighting at The Culver Steps 
THURSDAY, DEC. 7 | 5:00 P.M. 
The Culver Steps, 9300 Culver Blvd, Culver City 90232 

Join us on the first night of Chanukah for a Grand Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Celebration! Special Magic Show for all ages! Live Music! Hot Latkes! Donuts! Caricature Artist! Arts & Crafts! Free Raffles! Free gift for each child! Free admission.

Menorah Lighting at the Ivy Station 
SUNDAY, DEC. 10 | 4:30 P.M. 
Ivy Station Lawn, 8840 National Blvd, Culver City 90232 

Enjoy a wonderful performance by the Klezmer Band, followed by a Giant Menorah Lighting! Giant Games! Hot Latkes & Donuts! Chocolate Gelt & Dreidels! Arts & Crafts! Free Raffle! Free admission.

Gelt Drop & Menorah Lighting at the Platform   
MONDAY, DEC. 11 | 5:30 P.M. 
Platform Park, 8806 Washington Blvd, Culver City 90232 

Hundreds of chocolate coins dropped from a firetruck! Giant Menorah Lighting! Hot latkes & Donuts! Crafts for kids! Music! Free Raffle! Free admission.

lighting menorah candles

Pretend City Hanukkah
29 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92618

Hanukkah (or Chanukah), also called the Festival of Lights, is an eight-night Jewish holiday that celebrates religious freedom and miracles in Jewish history. Hanukkah traditions include lighting the menorah, exchanging gifts, spinning dreidels, and eating special foods such as latkes (potato pancakes). At Pretend City’s celebration on December 13th you’ll find fun ways to teach your child about this unique holiday!

Chanukah Festival
Janss Marketplace, 275 N Moorpark Rd East, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

A Chanukah Festival will be held on Sunday, December 10 from 4 – 6 pm in the Janss Food Court. The traditional Jewish celebration includes music, latkes and hot chocolate, dancing, and Menorah lighting.  Visit their website for more information about the holiday events at Janss Marketplace.  

Chanukah and Menorah Lighting Celebration
Laguna Niguel City Hall
30111 Crown Valley Pkwy., Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 

The City of Laguna Niguel hosts a Chanukah and Menorah Lighting Celebration on December 10th. The festivities include live entertainment, the lighting of the Menorah, arts and crafts, and Chanukah treats.

Menorah at the Outlets
Outlets at San Clemente
101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente, CA 92672

Outlets at San Clemente is hosting a community Chanukah Menorah Lighting and Celebration on December 12th. This special event features the lighting of the giant menorah, crafts for kids, music, dreidels, a balloon artist, and more. Register online for this free event. 

Jewish Festival and Chanukah Party
Chase Bank Parking Lot, 10550 Riverside Drive, Toluca Lake 91602

Hosted by Chabad of Toluca Lake. Happening on Sunday, December 10th, from 3-5pm. Fun for the whole family – Free of Charge! Get more details on their website.

MomsLA is your source for Things to do with Kids in Los Angeles

Wendy Kennar is a mother, writer, and former teacher who has lived her entire life in the same Los Angeles zip code. You can read more from Wendy at her website WendyKennar.com where she writes about books, boys, and bodies (living with an invisible disability).

Disclaimer: MomsLA has made every effort to confirm the information in this article; however, things can often change. Therefore, MomsLA makes no representations or warranties about the accuracy of the information published here. MomsLA strongly urges you to confirm any event details, like date, time, location, and admission, with the third party hosting the event. You assume the sole risk of relying on any of the information in our list. MomsLA is in no way responsible for any injuries or damages you sustain while attending any third-party event posted on our website. Please read our Terms of Use which you have agreed to based on your continued use of this website. Some events have paid to be listed on MomsLA.

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