If you're Jewish in New York City, you've probably noticed that there are a ton of other Jewish people here. The rumor that NYC has the highest concentration of Jewish people in the world seems pretty accurate.
Still, you've probably also noticed NYC gets inundated with Christmas celebrations around this time of year, and that Hanukkah all too often gets thrown by the wayside.
We'd like to shine a bright light on your Festival of Lights by letting you know there are plenty of opportunities for you to get down for Hanukkah this year in NYC.
For instance, there's a latke eating festival, there's a giant, 32-foot menorah in Brooklyn, there's a glow-in-the-dark menorah in Harlem, and there are plenty of Hanukkah parties getting wild this holiday season in NYC.
Hanukkah starts the evening of December 6th, and that's coming up fast. It's time to start planning, Judea of NYC. Read on to find out where to celebrate #Hanukkah2015 in NYC.
This is how Judah Maccabee would have wanted it, right?
1. NYC Latke Festival (125 West 18th Street)
overtimecook Who's getting in the latke mood? My house, clothes and hair all smell like latkes, but it's so worth it. These are awesome. 👊🏼 #staytuned
If you're a latke enthusiast, you probably know there are some restaurants in NYC that have perfected the art of latkes. From Veselka to Ben's Deli to The Vanderbilt, let's just say these greasy, oily, succulent potato pancakes are being made with mastery in this city.
So if you're as latke crazed as we are, you should definitely make your way to the 7th NYC Latke Festival. They'll have latke creations from talented chefs and restaurants from across the city on December 7th, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Metropolitan Pavilion.
They'll have latkes from all the restaurants we mentioned above, plus many more. After you've munched on latkes to your heart's content, you'll get to vote on the People's Choice Best Latke. That's not even the best part about all this.
The best part is that proceeds from this event will directly benefit The Sylvia Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring children and their families to eat well. You stoked? Same. Get your tickets here.
2. Lighting of the World's Largest Menorah (Grand Army Plaza - Brooklyn)
Did you know the world's largest menorah is in Brooklyn? Are you surprised?
That's right, at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn there's a 32-foot-tall menorah, and of course it'll be shouting out its light during all eight days of Hanukkah.
There will be a kick off concert at Grand Army Plaza to celebrate the beginning of Hanukkah on the night of Sunday, December 6th. The concert will be at 5 p.m. and the lighting of the menorah will be at 6 p.m.
For the rest of Hanukkah, the menorah will be lit on weeknights at 6 p.m., on Friday at 3:30 p.m., and Saturday at 7 p.m. They'll have live music and hot latkes at the menorah every night during the Festival of Lights.
Since everyone knows that none of us can fit at 32-foot-menorah in our apartments, you should probably come out to witness this spectacle at least once, right?
3. Chanukah on Ice NYC (830 5th Avenue)
You've heard of Wollman Rink in Central Park, right? It's essentially a must-do for winter cheer in NYC.
So if you're all about ice skating on the prettiest ice rink in the world (we know that's a bold statement; we intend it to be) you should come out to Chanukah on Ice NYC.
It's popping off on the second night of the Festival of Lights; on Monday, December 7th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Wollman Rink in Central Park.
If you rent skates, the whole thing costs $25. If you have your own ice skates, it costs $18.
The evening promises to be a blast. There will be live music performed by the Ta Shma Orchestra, there will be complimentary kosher food, and you'll get to take part in the lighting of a giant ice menorah. Sounds pretty excellent, doesn't it? We think so too. Grab your tickets here.
4. Hanukkah at Barclay's Center (745 7th Avenue - Brooklyn)
If you love Hanukkah and basketball, as many people of Jewish heritage do, you should definitely snag tickets for Hanukkah at the Nets.
It's going down on Thursday, December 10th, and will pop off with a basketball menorah lighting ceremony, a halftime concert by Yoni Z, and, the main event: a rabbis versus teens game at halftime. Oh, what's that? The main event is actually when the Nets play the 76ers?
Kidding. Both teams are a travesty.
If you're more about hockey than you are about basketball, you still get to go wild for Hanukkah at the Barclay's Center when the Islanders play the New Jersey Devils on December 13th.
It's going down at 4:30 p.m., and will also include a menorah lighting ceremony, plus musical intermission by Levi Robin, and the national anthem sung by Gad Elbaz.
Have we peaked your interest? Great. Get Nets tickets here, and get Islanders tickets here.
,5. The Matzoball (130 Bowery)
capitalenyc Looking for a chic #NYC party venue? Head to capitaleny.com to view our space & book a tour! #CapitaleNY #celebrate #downtown
The Matzoball prides itself as the nation's leading Jewish single's event. So if you are in fact single and ready to mingle, you should check it out.
It's taking place at Capitale on December 24th (we heard some Americans celebrate some holiday that night?) at 9 p.m. The party will rage on until 4 a.m.
Essentially, it's the wildest Hanukkah party in the city. This is Matzoball NYC's 28th year of partying hard on Christmas Eve. So if you don't feel like doing the usual eating Chinese food and seeing movies on Christmas, why not get a little crazy on the dance floor?
Who knows, you might even meet someone. Get your tickets here.
6. Chabad of Harlem Menorah Lighting (163 West 125th Street)
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There's a giant glow-in-the-dark menorah in Harlem, and it's probably just about the coolest menorah lighting that's ever taken place in Harlem.
It's a public lighting ceremony, and if you're looking to be a part of a festive evening, this might be the perfect public menorah lighting for you.
It'll be on Monday, December 7th at 5 p.m. There will be music, hot cocoa, dreidels, donuts, and of course latkes.
You'll also witness the huge, glow-in-the-dark menorah get illuminated. So gather your Hanukkah crew and get to the Plaza outside the Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building on Monday, December 7th to get your Hanukkah on with other revelers.
7. Drinks and Dreidels (808 Abbott Blvd - Fort Lee, NJ)
The Chabad of Fort Lee is hosting Drinks and Dreidels. It's an adult event, and, as you may have guessed, will feature drinking, dreidel playing, and a performance by ventriloquist John Pizzi.
Plus, the food will be off the chain. There will be sushi, gourmet latkes, and a donut tasting.
Perhaps the most appealing detail of this party, though, is that it features an open bar. Have you mastered the art of the open bar? We'll just remind you that it's a marathon, not a sprint.
Of course there will be a menorah lighting, too. It is on the fifth night of Hanukkah after all.
If you haven't memorized the lunar calendar, we'll just fill you in. The fifth night of Hanukkah is Thursday, December 10th, and Drinks and Dreidels starts at 7:30 p.m.
You intrigued? It's in Fort Lee New Jersey, so you'll just have to hop on the Metro-North to get there. Get your tickets here.
Check out I'm Jewish, But I Still Love Christmastime... Here's Why.
[Feature Image Courtesy AChildGrows.com]