Updated for 2024
This year, the first night of Hanukkah begins on December 25th. 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!
Hanukkah Events in Los Angeles 2024
Hanukkah Festival at the Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049
Sunday, December 15th, 12-5pm
Gather with family and friends to make new memories at the Skirball on Sunday, December 15th from 12 pm-5 pm! Beloved klezmer rockers Mostly Kosher return to headline this year’s festival. 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.
Hanukkah in Santa Monica
Third Street Promenade, 1200 block of Third St. Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Wednesday, December 25th through Wednesday, January 1st | Sundown
Celebrate the Festival of Lights during the Hanukkah season with nightly menorah lightings on the 1200 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.
Fashion Island Menorah Lighting
401 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660 – Fashion Island Atrium Garden Court
Sunday, December 29th, 3-5 pm
Celebrate Hanukkah at Fashion Island with singing and festive traditions. This event, in partnership with Chabad Jewish Center, Newport Beach, will be held in the Atrium Garden Courtyard on Sunday, December 29 from 3 pm – 5 pm.
Chanukah Concert & Gelt Drop
Chabad Center for Jewish Life, 2240 University Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660
Wednesday, December 25, 1:00 pm
Join the community for a Menorah Lighting, Chanukah Crafts, Gifts for children, face painting and Dreidels and doughnuts. Outdoors overlooking the Back Bay, Wednesday, December 25, 1:00 pm.
Grand Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Celebration
The Culver Steps, 9300 Culver Blvd., Culver City 90232
Celebrate Chanukah at The Culver Steps! Chabad of Culver City will host a Grand Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Celebration in the Upper Plaza on Thursday, December 26th, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Grand menorah lighting ceremony, live Chanukah music, hot latkes, doughnuts, chocolate gelt, amazing magic show for all ages, fun crafts & activities for kids, talented caricature artist, free raffles, and a special gift for every child. This free community event is open to all. Complementary one-hour parking will be offered during the event. Register and more info on the website.
Annual Grand Chanukah Gelt Drop
Platform Park, 8850 Washington Blvd., Culver City90232
The Annual Grand Chanukah Gelt Drop is back! Join us at Platform Park on Sunday, 12/29, at 4:30 PM to collect as much chocolate gelt as you can as it “rains” down from a Culver City firetruck! Enjoy delicious hot latkes, doughnuts, Chanukah music, crafts for kids, free raffles, and a grand menorah lighting ceremony! This is a free event. Register and get more info on the website.
A Celebration of Hanukkah
The Ivy Station, 8840 National Blvd., Culver City 90232
Celebrate Chanukah at Ivy Station! Join us for a festive evening with live klezmer music, face painting, games, arts & crafts, delicious hot latkes, donuts, chocolate gelt, dreidels, free raffles, and a grand menorah lighting! Monday, December 30 at 5:30 PM. This is a free event with free parking validation available from event staff. Register and more info on the website.
Chanukah on the Canals Parade and Party
The Open Temple, 1442 Electric Ave., Venice, CA 90291
Sunday, December 8th, 2-5pm
The Open Temple in Venice invites families to its Hanukkah on the Canals Parade happening on Sunday, December 8th. Enjoy Latkes (by the Latke Lady), Live Music (Let’s Boogie), Food, and more. Boat Decorating: 2 pm – 3 pm, Boat Lineup and Parade: starts at 3:30 pm. Rain or shine. All are welcome.
Hanukkah in the Foothills
New Hope Community Church, 10438 Oro Vista Ave., Sunland, CA 91040
Saturday December 28th, 5pm
The Annual Hanukkah in the Foothills event is happening on December 28th. Enjoy a fun, free community event and come hungry — potato latkes will be served.
Pretend City Hanukkah
29 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92618
Thursday, December 26th
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 Thursday, December 26th you’ll find fun ways to teach your child about this unique holiday!
Menorah Lighting at Palisades Village
15225 Palisades Village Dr., Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
In partnership with the Chabad Jewish Community Center of Pacific Palisades, Palisades Village will once again host its Menorah Lighting Ceremony on (date and time TBD). Celebrating the first of eight nights of Chanukah, the festivities will begin in late December and include family-friendly activities, musical entertainment, and traditional refreshments, followed by greetings from City officials and blessings. More details to follow, check the website regularly for updates.
Menorah Lighting Celebration
Beverly Gardens Park Lily Pond
Santa Monica Blvd. (between N. Cañon Dr. & N. Beverly Dr.), Beverly Hills, CA 90210
The City of Beverly Hills is hosting a Menorah Lighting Celebration on Monday, December 30th from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Families are invited to “come share the spirit of Hanukkah and the festival of lights with the Beverly Hills City Council.”
Celebrate Hanukkah @ Westfield Santa Anita
Macy’s Court – Level One
400 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007
Families are invited to Celebrate Hanukkah at Westfield Santa Anita on Monday, December 30th from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm.
Menorah Lighting Ceremony
The Original Farmers Market
6333 W. Third St., Los Angeles, CA
The Original Farmers Market invites families to participate in a special Menorah Lighting Ceremony happening on the last night of Chanukah on Wednesday, January 1st, 2025. The festivities take place from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm.
Menorah Lighting
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum
40 Presidential Dr., Simi Valley, CA 93065
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum is hosting a Menorah Lighting event on Sunday, December 29th from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm. The outdoor Hanukkah celebration will also include crafts for children, live music, and latkes and doughnuts (while supplies last). This is a free event. (Note – the Reagan Library and Museum closes at 5:00 pm. If families wish to visit, be sure to purchase museum tickets earlier in the day.)
Giant Chanukah Celebration
Hermosa Beach Pier Plaza
1 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Families are invited to attend Hermosa Beach’s annual Giant Chanukah Celebration happening on Sunday, December 29th at 3:30 pm. The event is described as the “largest Chanukah Celebration” and features a firetruck gelt-drop, live musical performances, latkes and donuts, holiday crafts, and more. RSVP online.
Grand Menorah Lighting
Manhattan Village
3200 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Manhattan Village invites families to its Grand Menorah Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, December 28th at 6:30 pm. The free community event features music, dancing, latkes, and donuts.
Menorah Lighting
Sherman Oaks Galleria
15301 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Sherman Oaks Galleria invites families to its Menorah Lighting event on Monday, December 30th from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm. Enjoy “treats and crafts for the little ones” at this community event.
2025 Light Up Long Beach – Menorah Lighting
2nd & PCH
6400 E. Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90803
2nd & PCH invites families to its community Menorah Lighting event happening on Sunday, December 29th at 4:00 pm. This free community event features festive treats, live music, and kids’ crafts.
Hanukkah Family Fun Day
Shalom Institute – Alan D. Leve Campus
34342 Mulholland Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
The Shalom Institute is hosting a Hanukkah Family Fun Day on Sunday, December 29th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Festivities include a community menorah lighting, sing-a-long, craft activities, a new rock wall and ropes course, and more. Tickets are available online. ($10 for adults and children 5 and older; free for children 4 and younger)
9th Annual Hanukkah in the Foothills
Elk’s Lodge
10137 Commerce Ave., Tujunga, CA
The 9th Annual Hanukkah in the Foothills is happening on Saturday, December 28th at 4:30 pm. The free community event features games, food, a menorah lighting, and more. All faiths are welcome.
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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.
