8 Magical Places To Celebrate Hanukkah Around The World

Hanukkah is an eight day celebration known as the Festival of Lights that’s celebrated by Jews around the world. This year Hanukkah starts at nightfall on December 25, 2024 and ends with nightfall on January 2, 2025. Menorahs are often placed in windowsills to spread light outwards and are lit by adding another flame every night and reciting a blessing. Hanukkah means “dedication” in Hebrew and commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem by the Maccabees in 164 BC when there was only enough oil for one day, yet it was able to keep the menorah lit and glowing for eight miraculous days.

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Hanukkah candles are added from right to left, like the Hebrew language, with another one lit each night. Other traditions include singing songs, eating potato latkes (pancakes) and sufganiyot (Hebrew for jelly doughnuts), playing games of dreidels with kids, donating to charity (Tzedakah), and giving small gifts, although the last one is a modern addition. To commemorate the eight days of Hanukkah, here are eight cities to celebrate the joyous Festival of Lights.

Toronto

Toronto is home to the largest Jewish community in Canada and one of the oldest in the county. Explore history and shop for treasures at Kensington Market, although it’s evolved and become quite diverse, it began as a Jewish Market in the 1900’s with merchants selling items from the ground floors of their homes. Toronto is home to many synagogues including Holy Blossom Temple founded in 1856; the UJA’s Toronto Holocaust Museum; and starting January 10, 2025, The Royal Ontario Museum is presenting a powerful exhibit about the history and legacy of Auschwitz, Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away.

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The Jewish Russian Community Centre of Ontario is hosting a family friendly public Menorah Lighting at Mel Lastman Square on December 25, 2024 with hot drinks, entertainment, and engaging Hanukkah music. If craving traditional Hanukkah latkes, head to Free Times Café for authentic, homemade, Jewish, and Middle Eastern food, vegan options are available.

New York City

New York has the largest Jewish population in the world outside of Israel with 1.4 million people. New York City proudly boasts two of the world’s largest Hanukkah menorahs that will be lit nightly at sundown during the festival of lights. One menorah will light up Midtown and the other in Brooklyn with their 32 foot high masterpieces that weigh 4,000 pounds. There will be lively music, gifts for kids, and hot latkes. The Jewish Museum is hosting Hanukkah Family Day on Sunday December 15, 2024 with art, music, and dancing. Save time to skate at the iconic Rockefeller Center Rink wearing your coziest blue and white Hanukkah sweater.

Berlin

I ate my way through vegan Berlin and strolled past many deeply meaningful Jewish sites and memorials including the Holocaust Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, and The Anne Frank Zentrum exhibit “All about Anne.” If you want to witness a giant menorah lit up in the night sky, head to Brandenburg Gate for their annual tradition. Standing at 33 feet, Chabad’s menorah was first put up in 2003 and was one of 50 public menorahs lit across Berlin for Hanukkah last year. All are welcome to celebrate with dancing and Hanukkah melodies.

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Prague

Having walked the cobblestone streets of Prague’s historic Jewish Quarter, I can attest to the multiple old synagogues to explore including the Spanish Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue, Maisel Synagogue, and the Old Jewish Cemetery, one of the oldest surviving Jewish burial grounds in the world. Celebrate Hanukkah in this truly special city at the Spanish Synagogue on December 28, 2024.

“Together, we will light the Hanukkah candles as a symbol of the triumph of light over darkness and reflect on traditions that unite us across generations. Whether you seek to reconnect with your family roots or are simply curious, this evening is open to all who wish to embrace the beauty and message of the Festival of Lights.” – Jewish Museum in Prague

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Montreal

Montreal has the second largest Jewish population in Canada with a continuous Jewish presence since the 1760s, making it a great city to spend Hanukkah. Chabad of Old Montreal and Griffintown is hosting Latkes & Lights on December 2, 2024 and the Museum of Jewish Montreal is celebrating the season with a Hanukkah Market on December 15, 2024. The Town of Hampstead is also lightinga Menorah, handing out gifts, food, and then a lively parade for all ages.

Rome

I have roamed through Rome’s Jewish Quarter among the Hebrew writing on the walls, Kosher cafés, charming stores selling Jewish items like mezuzahs, Yarmulkes, and jewelry, while searching for Rome’s Great Synagogue. Rome has one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world and Jews have lived there for over 2,000 years. You won’t want to miss Rome’s lively Hanukkah Street Party where the Jewish community celebrates by dancing, eating, and marching through the streets. Then watch the 20 foot tall Menorah being lit at Piazza Barberini, a central gathering spot for the community to rejoice the miracle of Hanukkah.

Miami

Head to the beautiful sunshine state to celebrate the festival of lights in Miami and check out the famous Seashell Menorah standing 13 feet tall. This gigantic art piece has been drawing crowds for over 20 years and Miami Beach artist Roger Abramson, age 90, repairs the menorah’s 25,000 shells annually. He even collects the shells himself, not just for the menorah, but for a huge 11 foot spinning dreidel. Miami has a rich Jewish history, and although the Jewish population has decreased since the 1970’s, Greater Miami Jewish Federation reports, “there are more than 60 congregations, 34 Jewish educational institutions and three Jewish Community Centers…Greater Miami hosts Florida’s third largest Jewish population and the nation’s tenth largest.”

Jerusalem

There is nothing quite like spending Hanukkah in the Jewish homeland and attending the nightly menorah lighting ceremony at the Kotel (Western Wall) in the Old City of Jerusalem. This is the holiest site in Judaism and the closest location to the Hanukkah miracle. Walk through approximately 5,000 years of history along the ancient streets admiring glowing menorahs in windows. The Jewish Quarter is home to multiple synagogues, the Old City Market, the Western Wall Tunnels, the City of David, and many other meaningful tours. As an alternative to visiting Jerusalem this year, check out their live webcam at the Kotel to be part of the Hanukkah celebrations virtually.

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