Hanukkah is upon us, which means eight nights of candle lighting, gift giving and dessert eating. We’ve rounded up some of the best ways to celebrate the Jewish holiday in Chicago so you can have one of the finest Festival of Lights yet.
Church Street Plaza
Church St. and Maple Ave.
Following tradition, the Tannenbaum Chabad House will be lighting their 10-foot Menorah in Evanston on Dec. 14 at 5:30 p.m. Mayor of Evanston, Stephen Hagerty, will be in attendance and the event will feature a performance by the Cheder Boys Choir. The event is free and open to the public.
Hanukkah Concert at the Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe 847-835-5440
Attend the annual Hanukkah concert at 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 at the Chicago Botanic Garden to hear the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band perform the music of the season. With clarinet, violin and swinging sounds, it will be hard to keep from dancing. Tickets are $20 in advance ($23 day-of) and include a visit to the Wonderland Express exhibition at the Botanic Garden.
Sufganiyot doughnuts at Firecakes
68 W. Hubbard St. 312-329-6500
Indulge in a traditional Hanukkah treat by visiting Firecakes Donuts. The shop will be making mini sufganyiots, Hanukkah doughnuts, as a special for the holiday. Sufganiyots are traditionally filled with raspberry filling or custard and are fried in oil, a symbolic method during Hanukkah due to the origins of the holiday when the Maccabees had only one day’s worth of oil that ended up lasting them eight days. Price TBD.
Jewish deli fare at Steingold’s
1840 W. Irving Park Road 773-661-2469
Steingold’s Jewish deli has become one of Chicago’s newest favorites since it opened just a few months back. Head to the modern deli during Hanukkah to feast on classics like potato latkes, matzo ball soup, whitefish and bagels and lox. They also offer a Hanukkah catering menu.
Revival Food Hall Hanukkah Shabbat Dinner
125 S. Clark St. 773-999-9411
Revival Food Hall will be hosting a Hanukkah Shabbat dinner on Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m. Appetizers will be served by vendors like Antique Taco and Harvest Juicery, the main course will be served by vendors such as The Fat Shallot and The Budlong and desserts will be served by Black Dog Gelato. Reserve a seat by visiting revivalfoodhall.com for more information.
Bill Graham exhibit at the Illinois Holocaust Museum
9603 Woods Drive, Skokie 847-967-4800
Make a trip to Skokie to see the Bill Graham exhibit at the Illinois Holocaust Museum. Extended through Jan. 7 by popular demand, the exhibit presents the life of famous rock n’ roll promoter and Holocaust refugee, Bill Graham, who launched the careers of legends like The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zepplin. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students.
JCC Chicago 20s & 30s Hanukkah Party
3751 N. Broadway 224-406-9233
The Anshe Emet Synagogue will be hosting a Hanukkah party for those in their 20s and 30s on Dec. 17 at 4:30 p.m. The party will begin with social justice activities benefiting the community, then there will be latkes and libations followed by trivia. Tickets are $20 per person or $15 if you bring a new or gently used coat or cold weather accessory to donate.
Hanukkah cupcakes from Sprinkles
50 E. Walton St. 312-573-1600
Celebrate Hanukkah with a box of Sprinkles’ special Hanukkah cupcakes. Gamble with them in a game of dreidel, serve them to guests at a Hanukkah party or save them all for yourself. The Hanukkah box features red velvet, dark chocolate and vanilla cupcakes with Star of David decorations. Order by calling Sprinkles.