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Hanukkah Happenings

Light up every night with these events.


Last year's Great Performances Latke Festival.   

For the Whole Family

Hanukkah Family Day
The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave.; 212-423-3200
This event, aimed at ages 3 and up, features funky found object sculpting, dancing, and a chance to see the Hanukkah story brought to life as a part of a unique “drawing performance.” Families will also be able to explore the museum and enjoy its world-famous collection of Hanukkah lamps.
Date: December 14, Noon to 4 p.m.
Price: Free with museum admission; Adults: $15, Seniors: $12, Students: $7.50, Children (18 and under): Free

Klez for Kids Concert
Museum at Eldridge Street, 12 Eldridge St.; 212-219-0888
Clarinetist Greg Wall and his band, Klezmerfest, showcase the music of Eastern European Jewish communities in a joyous performance that will culminate in an audience-enacted shtetl wedding.
Date: December 25, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Price: Adults: $12; Students and seniors: $10; Children 3–17: $8; Children under 3: Free

CBST Hanukkah Celebration
Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, 57 Bethune Street; 212-929-9498
On the sixth night of Hanukkah, this progressive, LGBTQ-friendly congregation will be hosting a family-friendly party, featuring seasonal music and craft stations where kids can make Lego menorahs and customizable dreidels.
Date: December 21, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Price: $20 per family; register here

West End Synagogue Hanukkah Puppet Party
190 Amsterdam Avenue, nr. 69th St.; 212-579-0777
Featuring Len Levitt and the Levity Puppets, this low-key, family-oriented event will feature a how-to on puppet-making and culminate in a lighting of the synagogue’s menorah.
Date: December 20, 4 p.m.
Price: $5 per person; maximum, $18 per family

Chanukah on Ice
Trump Wollman Rink, Central Park, Sixth Ave. at 59th St.; 212-439-6900
Several of the city’s Chabads joined forces to plan this holiday ice-skating party. The evening will include free kosher food, live music, and the lighting of a giant ice menorah.
Date: December 16, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Price: Online, $25 with skate rental, $18 with no skate rental; At the door: $28 with skate rental, $20 with no skate rental. Children under 3 are free. RSVP online here

Songs of Chanukah
Brookfield Place, 220 Vesey St. 212-417-7000
Get in the holiday spirit by heading downtown and taking in a concert filled with Hanukkah songs and klezmer music performed by members of the National Yiddish Theatre.
Date: December 14, 12:30 p.m.
Price: Free


Adults-Only

8th Annual Menorah Horah! Hanukkah Burlesque Show
Highline Ballroom, 431 W. 16th St.; 212-414-5994
With enough heat for all eight nights packed into one evening, the world-class Schlep Sisters—along with lots of friends—are a sure bet for a titillating holiday experience.
Date: December 14, 7:30 p.m.
Price: $20 to $30

6th Annual Great Performances Latke Festival
Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St.; 212-727-2424
Restaurant chefs from around the city will offer up creative takes on the traditional potato pancake in this high-octane cook-off. The winner will be crowned by a panel of celebrity judges, including former NBA commissioner David Stern, and all proceeds go to the Sylvia Center, an organization promoting healthy eating habits among kids.
Date: December 15, 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Price: $60

MatzoBall NYC
Capitale, 130 Bowery nr. Grand St.; 212-335-5500
Now in its 28th year, the MatzoBall is one of the country's largest Jewish singles events, This year, they're promising an extra “Jewcy” experience with DJs and dancing in the Capitale ballroom until the early morning hours of Christmas Day.
Date: December 24 9 p.m.
Price: $40 to $60; $700 for a VIP table (4 tickets)

Light Up the Night Young Friends Hanukkah Party
Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Pl.; 646-437-4252
The historic downtown museum is hosting its annual holiday party for young professionals, with an open bar, kosher dinner, games, and dancing. All proceeds will benefit the museum’s programs, including its wide-reaching educational initiatives. Cocktail attire required.
Date: December 11, 8 p.m.
Price: $108 for Young Friends members; $126 for non-members, available here.

The 2014 Yeshiva University Chanukah Concert
Lamport Auditorium, 2540 Amsterdam Avenue; 212-960-5400
Yeshiva is hosting some of Jewish music’s elite, headlined by the pioneering Benny Friedman, whose 2009 release, Taamu, was hailed as one of the genre's best-ever debuts. He'll be joined by openers Nissim Black and Schlock Rock.
Date: December 18, 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Price: $15 to $25


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