Spin the dreidel, light the light, Hanukkah started this Sunday night! As children await Santa and Christians celebrate Christmas, Jewish families anticipate the lighting of the first candle on the menorah so the celebration can begin! Below you will find a little history of Hanukkah and a list of Hannukah Events taking place across Tampa Bay!
Hanukkah has steadily adopted the essence of some commercial Christmas traditions, with a joyful Jewish "spins" on some popular favorites! The Elf on the Shelf is a popular character who appears in Christmas households far and wide but have you heard of the Mensch on the Bench? This cheery little man protects the Menorah and gives good little children permission to light the candles. For the less orthodox festive Jew, the Christmas Tree shaped Menorah is now available and adorns many Jewish homes.
Hanukkah holiday fashion now includes a version of "the ugly Christmas sweater", with the all new Hanukkah sweaters! These festive articles are splashed, big and bold, with gelt, dreidels, and rabbi's, guaranteed to be a hit at any Ugly Sweater Party!
While Hanukkah is considered a minor Jewish holiday, it is given more importance because of the festive time of year in all communities around the globe. Many other Jewish holidays include fasting, but Hanukkah however, brings much celebration, food, family, playing dreidel and of course, 8 glorious days of gift giving!
Here's our list of Hanukkah celebrations in the Tampa Bay area!
Vodka Latke
The biggest Jewish social of the year is taking place at the CAVU event center by Water Works Park! Enjoy traditional Jewish hors d'oeuvres like latkes and matzo ball soup while sipping cocktails from the bar in your chic holiday attire. You can purchase early bird tickets for $36 through Dec. 3, tickets are $45 thereafter until Dec. 21 and are $54 at the door on the evening of the event. Love the NIGHTLIFE, this is for you!
Chanukkah in the City at Sundial Family Festival
The Chabad Jewish Center of Greater St. Petersburg presents a celebration of unity at Sundial St Pete for all 8 nights of Chanukkah! The first lighting ceremony is December 3rd!
Hanukkah Celebration at Beth-El Shalom
Bring your own menorah and candles to Temple Beth-El Shalom Messianic Congregation to take part in a community lighting ceremony on December 9th from 5:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m.
Jewish Heritage Night @ Tampa Bay Lightning Game
The Tampa JCC’s and Federation in partnership with Chabad Centers of Tampa and The Tampa Bay Lightning will be celebrating Chanukah at our Annual Jewish Heritage Night. This year’s celebration will be held on Thursday, December 6th for the Lightning vs Bruins game! There will be a Menorah Lighting on the Plaza at approximately 6:45pm. The evening includes a kosher meal at the Budweiser Biergarten available until the start of the second period.
Grand Hanukkah Celebration
Light up the night with Chabad at this annual celebration with a large menorah lighting, entertainment, face painting, hot latkes and doughnuts. Free for the whole family to come out and enjoy!
Hanukkah On Ice
The annual celebration with free ice skating to Jewish music, a menorah built entirely of fidget spinners, hot latkes, donuts, gelt and build your own Lego fidget dreidel! It's also free if you RSVP!
Happy Hanukkah and be sure to check out our New Year's Eve events and Things to Do pages on 813area for all of your Holiday events and more!
