Go to a Hanukkah menorah lighting

Hanukkah is an eight-night festival, and in many towns there is a public menorah lighting on one or more of those nights. If you’re curious about a menorah lighting, going to one is an easy, free way to see it for yourself. It is a small gathering outdoors, usually short, and you don’t need to know anything beforehand.

Find one near you

Hanukkah dates change every year because they follow the Hebrew calendar, so look up this year’s eight nights first. Then search for a public lighting in your town or city. Many are organised by local Jewish communities, and they’re often posted on community pages, town websites or bulletin boards.

Check these things before you go:

• The date and start time. Lightings happen around dusk, and the time shifts through the season.
• Whether there is anything to know about the location, such as parking or where people gather.
• Whether the event is outdoors in the cold. Most are.

If something isn’t clear, contact the organisers. They are usually glad to hear from someone who wants to come.

What to wear and bring

Beyond the warm coat on your “What you need” list, remember that a lighting is mostly standing around outside in the evening. Dress in layers, wear warm shoes and bring gloves and a hat. Damp feet get cold fast, so waterproof boots help if the ground is wet. Bring a phone with some battery for finding the place, but you may want to put it away during the lighting itself.

Go with a friend if you can. It’s easier to arrive at a new gathering with someone beside you.

What happens

Every community does it a little differently, but a typical evening looks like this:

1. People gather near the menorah, often in a public square or park.
2. There may be a few words, songs or blessings. Listen along: you are a guest.
3. The helper candle, the shamash, lights the others. A menorah holds nine candles in all: eight for the nights plus the shamash. One more candle is lit each night.
4. Afterwards there may be music, sufganiyot (jelly donuts) or other treats.

Public menorahs are often tall, so the lighting itself is usually done by organisers or invited guests. You are there to watch and be part of the crowd.

Be a good guest

• Arrive a few minutes early so you don’t walk in during the blessings.
• Stand where you can see without blocking others.
• Ask before taking close-up photos of people.
• Follow the organisers’ directions. They’ll tell you where to stand and when.
• If you’re offered food, you can simply say thank you and try it.

What goes wrong

• It’s colder than you thought. Bring an extra layer and a thermos of something warm.
• You can’t find the place. Arrive early and look for the crowd or a banner. Keep the organisers’ contact details handy.
• You don’t know what to do. Watch what others do. Standing quietly and listening is enough.
• The lighting is cancelled or moved. Weather can change plans. Check the organisers’ page that afternoon.
• You’re driving home in the dark. Allow time, and take extra care if roads are icy.

After

If you enjoyed it, you could go to another lighting on a different night, or ask a friend who celebrates Hanukkah what the festival means to them. People are often happy to share if you ask with real curiosity.

A little background

Hanukkah is often described as the festival of lights. The menorah is lit each night, with the lights added one at a time, and the candles are traditionally left to burn down rather than blown out. Families and communities mark it in many ways, with songs, games, foods fried in oil and gatherings. You’ll see all sorts of customs at a public event, and the organisers are usually happy to answer polite questions afterwards.

Make it a winter evening

Eat dinner before you go, or stay for the treats afterwards, and walk home through streets lit with winter lights. If you like evenings like this one, you could also see the Christmas lights in your town another night, or make latkes at home.