The annual Jewish Festival of Lights begins Sunday and ends Dec. 10 when the last candle burns.
The nightly celebration commemorates the reclamation of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in the second century BCE by a small group of Jews led by Judah the Maccabee. The ritual of the lighting of the Menorah comes from the group miraculously being able to use a one-day supply of olive oil for eight days following the reclamation of the Holy Temple.
Hanukkah is one of the biggest wintertime holidays in the Tampa Bay area, with dozens of Menorah lighting ceremonies and plenty of places to find latkes and jelly-filled sufganyas.
Here are 8 ways to celebrate Hanukkah in the area
Chase the Dreidel Run
How fast can a dreidel run? This race intends to find out with a life-sized dreidel spinning down the street in St. Petersburg while runners follow. There will also be a post-run buffet of latkes and doughnuts. Racers get a t-shirt and a swag bag because “of course, it’s Chanukah!”
The 5K race starts at 4 p.m. Sunday at Congregation B’nai Israel, 300 58th St. N, St. Petersburg.
More information here.
Hanukkah at Sundial
The Chabad Jewish Center of Greater St. Petersburg hosts a free event Monday in downtown St. Petersburg’s Sundial. The public lighting of the Menorah begins with Mayor Rick Kriseman at 6:30 p.m. The celebration also features a concert, a trampoline show, a Chanukah gelt drop and more.
5:30-7:30 p.m., 153 2nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg.
More information here.
Hanukkah Happenings at Congregation B’nai Israel St. Petersburg
Following the Chase the Dreidel race on Sunday, Congregation B’nai Israel has more events for eight nights. On Dec. 7, it hosts an outdoor Menorah lighting, a Shabbat Hanukkah Service and a Kids’ Kab Shab Service. On Dec. 8, it hosts a Shabbat Hanukkah Service & December Simcha Shabbat and a Shabbat Mincha. Then on Dec. 9, it’s Let Your Light Shine with the “largest Menorah lighting in St. Petersburg” with Mayor Rick Kriseman.
More information here.
Grand Family Hanukkah Celebration, Chabad of Clearwater
The celebration of the eighth night of Hanukkah begins at 4 p.m. Dec. 9 at Chabad of Clearwater. Festivities include a theme Menorah, a light dairy dinner, a mad science show, a gelt drop by the Clearwater Fire Department, a Chanukah prize wheel and plenty of latkes, doughnuts and dreidels. The event is free and all are welcome.
4 p.m. Dec. 9, 2280 Belleair Road, Clearwater.
More information here.
Wiregrass Grand Hanukkah Celebration
The Shops at Wiregrass host a Light up the Night event and Chanukah Street Fair on Dec. 9. The free event begins with a grand Menorah lighting in front of Dillard’s and also includes face painting, a balloon artist and plenty of hot latkes and doughnuts.
5-7 p.m. Dec. 9, 28211 Paseo Drive.
More information here.
Hanukkah Celebration, Beth-El Shalom Messianic Congregation
Festivities include the lighting of a 10-foot Menorah and plenty of latkes, songs, dancing and games. Attendees can bring their own Menorah for a group lighting ceremony. The event is free and open to all.
7 p.m. Friday, 1701 29th Ave N, St. Petersburg.
More information here.
Chanukah in the City
Tampa celebrates the first day of Chanukah on Sunday with a Menorah lighting ceremony beginning at 5 p.m. at the corner of Franklin Street and Kennedy Boulevard. Hosted by the City of Tampa.
5-7 p.m. Sunday, Tampa.
More information here.
Vodka Latke
One of the biggest social events for local young Jewish singles and couples is on Christmas Eve. Food, games and drinks benefit the Tampa Jewish Federation.
9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dec. 24, Cavu, 1601 N Franklin St., Tampa.
$45 advance tickets, $54 at the door.
More information here.
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