12 Pennsylvania Hanukkah Celebrations That Celebrate the Festival of Lights

These 12 Hanukkah celebrations will take place throughout Pennsylvania—some are free for the community, others require paid admission—leading up to or during the Festival of Lights. 

This year, Jewish people will celebrate Hanukkah starting at nightfall on Sunday, Dec. 18 through Monday, Dec. 26. During those eight nights, Jewish people will light menorahs nightly, say special prayers, eat delicious foods, and exchange gifts. 

Like other winter holidays such as Christmas and Kwanzaa, sometimes community celebrations begin before the holiday. These 12 Hanukkah celebrations will take place throughout Pennsylvania—some are free for the community, others require paid admission—leading up to or during the Festival of Lights. 

Sesame Place Hanukkah Celebration (Langhorne)

Families can join Baby Bear, a local cantor, and his family as they celebrate the Festival of Lights each day from December 18 through Dec. 24 at Sesame Place. A lighting ceremony takes place each evening at 4:30 p.m. in the Sesame Street Neighborhood. Throughout the day, visitors can play a game of dreidel, learn all about Hanukkah, and more with Grover and other Sesame Street friends. Tickets for admission are required. 

Location: 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, Bucks County

Menorah Lighting and Kids’ Tie Dye Hanukkah (Doylestown)

On Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 6 p.m. at Lubavitch of Central Bucks County West, celebrate Hanukkah with a menorah lighting. Then, at a separate reserved ticketed event (donations for tickets are suggested but not required), kids can tie-dye a beanie while enjoying donuts and dreidels. 

Location: 100 N. Main Street, Doylestown, Bucks County

Chanukah Village (Yardley)

Lubavitch of Yardley’s Chanukah Village on Sunday, Dec. 18 is free of charge and open to all. Beginning at 3 p.m., participants can pick up a map and stroll down Main Street enjoying Chanukah activities, giveaways, and treats at participating vendors. The Grand Menorah Lighting is at 4:15 p.m. outside of Borough Hall with latkes, music, and chocolate gelt. RSVP is required for this event that turns Yardley’s Main Street into a Magical Chanukah Village. 

Location: Yardley Main Street, Yardley, Bucks County

Annual Menorah Lighting & Chanukah Celebration (Cranberry Twp.)

All are welcome to the free Annual Chanukah Menorah Lighting at the Cranberry Twp. Municipal Center. Festivities include a grand gelt drop, treats like latkes, donuts and hot drinks, lively music, and crafts for children. The event takes place on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 5 p.m.

Location: 2525 Rochester Rd., Cranberry Twp., Butler County, 

Chabad of Squirrel Hill Grand Menorah Parade and Chanukah Festival (Pittsburgh)

On Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 5 p.m. Chabad of Squirrel Hill’s Menorah Parade begins the evening’s festivities. The parade ends at the Chanukah Festival at Schenley Plaza under a warm tent where Jewish singer/songwriter Tali Yess will perform. There will also be a 7-foot Lego Menorah, a children’s choir, the Alderdice Marching Band, latkes, donuts, and more. Admission is free. 

Location: Schenley Plaza, 4100 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh

Shine A Light! At the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History (Philadelphia)

On Monday, Dec. 26 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., join jkid4all, The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, and the Jewish Federation of North America for an afternoon of learning about light. Shine A Light is an event that highlights the history and customs of Hanukkah as well as the history and customs of Kwanzaa. Kids will make a light-themed take-home craft. The event will end with the lighting of the Hanukkah menorah and the Kinara for Kwanzaa. Registration is free but required.

Location: 101 South Independence Mall East (Corner of 5th & Market), Philadelphia

Chanukah Storytime (Lancaster)

On Monday, Dec. 19 from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., kids up to 8 years old (accompanied by an adult) can head to the Lancaster Public Library for a storytime about Chanukah told through some silly characters trying to celebrate the holiday.

Location: 125 North Duke Street, Lancaster, Lancaster County

Family Chanukah Extravaganza (Harrisburg)

Join the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg for a Family Chanukah Extravaganza Sunday, Dec. 18 at 10 a.m. that includes bingo, snacks, crafts, and much more. Registration is required and the cost is $10 a family.

Location: 3301 N Front St, Harrisburg, Dauphin County

JCC Steven Bruce Arenberg Memorial Chanukah Street Festival (Scranton)

The JCC Steven Bruce Arenberg Memorial Chanukah Street Festival is open to all. On Sunday, Dec. 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. join the community for symbolic foods including latkes, french fries, donuts and popcorn, live entertainment, rides, inflatables, bumper cars, arts and crafts, and more. There will also be an olive press to press your own olives and dreidel building out of legos. 

Location: 601 Jefferson Ave, Scranton, Lackawanna County

Hanukkah Family Storytime (Hazleton)

On Dec. 17 at 10 a.m., the Hazleton Area Public Library will host Rabbi Yosef Zylberberg to tell stories about Hanukkah for children ages 5 and above who are accompanied by an adult. Registration is required. 

Location: 55 N Church St, Hazleton, Luzerne County

Chanukah Celebration & Menorah Lighting in Love Park (Philadelphia)

Join the Jewish Community of the Art Museum Area on Monday, Dec. 19 at 5 p.m. for the first-ever menorah lighting in Philadephia’s Love Park that includes live Klezmer music, sufganiyot & chocolate gelt, free menorahs & candles, and a large 9-foot menorah lighting.

Location: 1500 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County

Chanukah Village (Media)

Chabad of Delaware County invites the community on Sunday, Dec. 18 from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. to a Chanukah Village where State Street in Media is turned into a magical Chanukah Village. Join them for activities like donut decorating, Lego Dreidels, storytime, and a gelt drop, all culminating in a grand menorah lighting at the courthouse.

 Location: 201 W Front Street, Media, Delaware County