Hanukkah Celebrations in Raleigh + the Triangle

by
Amy Hartle
Latest posts by Amy Hartle (see all)

As the holiday season kicks into high gear, it’s easy for all the buzz around Christmas to take center stage. But here at Raleigh Family Adventure, we want to make sure our Jewish friends and families feel just as celebrated and seen during this special time of year.

Hanukkah is a beautiful celebration of light, community, and tradition, and the Raleigh area offers plenty of ways to honor it with your loved ones. From public menorah lightings to fun, kid-friendly crafts and storytimes, there are so many ways to make this season meaningful. Check out our guide to the best family-friendly Hanukkah events in the Triangle and add some extra sparkle to your Festival of Lights!

Note: Events in GREEN are free entry.

Hanukkah Lock In – Temple Beth Or (Raleigh)

Friday December 13th | 5:30pm-10:00am next day

Open to all Jewish teens in grades 8-12. 
Cost includes: Latke dinner, event admission, breakfast, event merch, and more.

Hanukkah 8K and 1-mile Family Fun Run – Levin JCC (Durham)

Sunday December 15th | 9:00am-12:00pm

Keep the energy burning for our 8K, just as the oil and light did in the story of Hanukkah! Now in its fifth year, our Hanukkah 8K offers something for competitive runners and casual walkers alike.

Whether you run the entire 8K around campus or walk a mile – you get to enjoy donuts and Hanukkah gelt at the end! Racers and families welcome!

Festival of Lights – 1870 Farm (Chapel Hill)

Thursday December 26th | 4:00pm-6:00pm

Let’s celebrate the festival of lights! Join us for a menorah lightning, “latka making” for farm animals, and turning on the lights at the animal village. The visit includes petting & feeding animals, Chanukah crafts & activities, menorah lighting, and turning on the lights in the animal village!

Hanukkah Festival – Levin JCC (Durham)

Sunday, December 22nd | 2:00pm-5:00pm

Celebrate Hanukkah with Jewish for Good at the annual Hanukkah Festival! Bring the whole family for a day filled with fun, including delicious latkes, arts and crafts, games, a PJ Library photobooth, dreidel decorating, and sugar cookie decorating with the ECLC. Shop for Judaica goods, enjoy live entertainment with magic, music, and flame jugglers, and don’t miss the menorah lighting and bounce houses!

Family Chanukah Party – Jewish Life Center Chabad of Raleigh (Raleigh)

Wednesday December 25th | 4:00pm-5:30pm

Chanukah crafts, hot latkes, pasta bar, menorah lighting, and more!

Menorah Lighting – Crabtree Mall (Raleigh)

Thursday December 26th | 4:30pm

Lighting the menorah, donuts, songs, and more! The Menorah is located on the 2nd floor near Abercrombie.

Town of Morrisville Menorah Lighting – Town Hall Drive (Morrisville)

Friday December 27th | 4:00pm

Apex Chanukah Festival – Apex Senior Center (Apex)

Sunday December 29th | 3:30pm. Lighting at 5:00pm

The Chanukah Festival is an event organized by the Chabad of Cary and celebrates the beginning of the Jewish eight-day festival of lights, Chanukah. This event features games (including a chocolate gelt drop), a DJ, crafts, donuts, hot drinks, and a food truck, and ends with lighting a menorah on Town Campus.

Hannukah Parade and Menorah Lighting – Lafayette Village (Raleigh)

Sunday December 29th | 2:00pm

Participants gather to prepare for the parade at 2:00pm at Chabad. The menorah parade then drives through the area and ends at Lafayette Village, where the menorah lighting and celebration takes place. This free celebration will include live music, a petting zoo, latkes, a gelt drop, a photo booth, crafts, and more.

Hanukkah Menorah Lighting – Downtown Cary Park (Cary)

Monday December 30th | 5:30pm-6:30pm

Downtown Cary Park will Illuminate the night as we come together for the Menorah Lighting on the 6th night of Hanukkah. Enjoy an activity for kids, holiday music, a sweet treat and the lighting of the menorah.

Throughout the eight days of Hanukkah (December 25th-January 2nd), the menorah at Cary Arts Center will be lit each evening.