Hanukkah celebrations begin at sundown Dec. 25 and continue through Jan. 2. The Jewish festival, sometimes called the Festival of Lights, hearkens back to the restoration of Jerusalem and the rededication of the Second Temple in the 2nd century. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, commemorating the miracle of a one-day supply of lamp oil that lasted eight days. Candles are lighted each night in a special candelabra called a Hanukkah Menorah that holds nine candles. Here are some community celebrations:
CARLSBAD
Hanukkah Celebration: Chabad La Costa hosts a lighting of the menorah from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 29 at The Forum Carlsbad, 1923 Calle Barcelona. Visit theforumcarlsbad.com.
CARMEL VALLEY
Menorah Lighting Ceremony: A Menorah Lighting celebration is from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 26 at the Koi Pond at One Paseo led by the Chabad Jewish Center of Rancho Santa Fe. Highlights include live music, kosher bites, and the lighting ceremony. Visit onepaseo.com/events/menorah-lighting-ceremony-2024.
Hanukkah Menorah Lighting: The annual Hanukkah Menorah Lighting is from 6 to 7 p.m. Dec. 26 at the Del Mar Highlands Town Center, 12925 El Camino Real. The event, hosted by Congregation Beth Am, is in the upper plaza, near Cinépolis and will include a few songs. Visit eventbrite.com/e/hanukkah-menorah-lighting-tickets-1090346599029.
CHULA VISTA
Hanukkah at Sesame Place: Hanukkah festivities will be from Dec. 26-31 at Sesame Place, 2052 Entertainment Circle. There will be a Menorah Candle Lighting Ceremony followed by a Dance Party with Sesame Street friends and Hanukkah Music at Big Bird’s Wave Pool Lawn. Visitors can play a game of dreidel with Sesame Street friends and win Hanukkah Gelt and gather around Big Bird’s nest for a Hanukkah-themed story time. A Hanukkah Scavenger Hunt will be offered; visitors can pick up a free Scavenger Hunt map and go on a hunt throughout the park to find all the items and possibly win a prize. Festivities are included with ission. For event times, visit sesameplace.com.
ENCINITAS
Fields of Light: An intergenerational Hanukkah Celebration is from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 29 on the fifth night of Hanukkah at Coastal Roots Farm to honor the holiday’s spirit of resilience and hope and to inspire the community to spread light. Highlights include live music, traditional Hanukkah games, illuminated garden and delicacies to share. ission is $20 for adults, $10 for children. Tickets are limited. Preregistration required. Visit coastalrootsfarm.org/event/field-of-light-a-chanukah-celebration.
ESCONDIDO
Family Hanukkah Party: Congregation B’nai Tikvah will hold its annual community Hanukkah Party and Latke Contest 6:30 p.m. Dec. 27 at the Masonic Center in Escondido. There will be latkes and donuts for dinner. Bring your menorah to light candles and sing Hanukkah songs with Cantor Larry Kornit for the third night of Hanukkah. Free. Bring something dairy to share at the party and non-perishable food for Interfaith Community Services along with gently used coats, hoodies, shirts to donate to Sharia’s Closet that provides emergency clothing in the San Diego State area. For more information, call 760-650-2262 or visit bnaitikvahsd.org.
LA JOLLA
Community Hanukkah celebration: Chabad of La Jolla hosts its annual community Hanukkah celebration with Grand Menorah Lighting, music, entertainment, latkes and doughnuts along with kids Hanukkah crafts and Hanukkah Gelt at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 26 at La Valencia Hotel, 1132 Prospect St. Visit chabadoflajolla.com.
OCEANSIDE
Grand Menorah Lighting: The annual Grand Menorah Lighting for the community is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 26 at Regal Cinema Plaza, 401 Mission Ave., hosted by Chabad Oceanside/Vista. The 19th annual event in downtown Oceanside includes Drone Gelt Drop, fire juggling show, jelly doughnuts, hot latkes, Hanukkah crafts and a live DJ; visit jewishoceanside.com. On Dec. 29, the Chabad hosts a Game Night for all ages at 4:30 p.m. at Chabad of Oceanside/Vista. There will be crafts, games, doughnut decorating and latkes and lighting of the menorahs. Bring your menorah to light and a favorite game you would like to play or in a game provided. RSVP for game night at jewishoceanside.com/gamenight.
POWAY
Hanukkah kits: The Chabad of Poway offers Hanukkah kits for the community to celebrate the holiday. The kit includes a menorah, with enough candles to light each of the eight days of Hanukkah and a dreidel. For information, visit chabadpoway.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/4969671/jewish/Menorah-Kit.htm.
RANCHO SANTA FE
Hanukkah Celebration: Chabad Jewish Center of Rancho Santa Fe hosts the 18th Chai RSF Chanukah Celebration on the second night of Hanukkah at 4 p.m. Dec. 26 at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, 5951 Linea Del Cielo. The celebration will include the Menorah Lighting, live DJ, doughnuts, hot latkes, hot drinks, crafts and face painting. RSVP at jewishrsf.com/inn. For more information, call 858-756-7571.
SAN DIEGO
Hanukkah and Menorah Lighting: A public menorah lighting will be at 5 p.m. Dec. 26 in the Central Promenade at Liberty Station to commemorate the first night of Hanukkah. The free, family-friendly event will include music, live entertainment and the traditional lighting of the menorah. The event is hosted by The Chabads of Downtown San Diego and Pacific Beach, Liberty Station. Visit chabaddowntown.com.
Hanukkah display: SeaWorld San Diego’s holiday celebration runs through Jan. 5 and includes a Hanukkah display to celebrate the Jewish holiday. There will be menorah lightings, holiday decor and Hanukkah music Visit seaworldsandiego.com.
Hanukkah Festival: Seaport Village is partnering with the Chabads of Downtown San Diego to host family-friendly Hanukkah festivities from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28 in the lighthouse district, including live music, festive performers and the traditional lighting of the menorah. Visit seaportvillage.com/events/hanukkah-festival-2024.
To add a community Hanukkah celebration, email [email protected].
