Hanukkah (or Chanukah), a Jewish festival also known as the Festival of Lights, starts on December 18 and ends December 26, 2022. We’ve found some great family events locally for our readers who celebrate! Take advantage of these gatherings to learn more about this festival and learn about other ways to celebrate the holiday together: lighting candles, playing dreidel, and of course, eating delicious potato pancakes!
If you would like to learn more about Hanukkah, check out this helpful article by The Everymom: Hanukkah 101 – Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know.
2022 Hanukkah Events in Chicagoland
Chanukah Menorah Hunt in Downtown Naperville
Beginning in December, 2022
Find menorahs hidden at Downtown Naperville businesses for a chance to win prizes. Check back on the event website for a map as the event approaches.
Dreidels and Donuts (Highland Park)
December 12, 2022 | 4:00pm – 4:45pm
West Ridge Center
636 Ridge Road
Highland Park, IL 60035
Ages 3+. Cost is $15/person. This family friendly event features holiday crafts and a traditional suganiyot (a type of jelly doughnut typically eaten on Hanukkah).
See, Sing, Celebrate! Jewish Holiday How-To (Deerfield)
October 23 to November 12, 2022 | 10:00am – 11:00am
Kol Hadash Sunday School at Deerfield High School
1959 N. Waukegan Road
Deerfield, IL 60015
Through interactive songs, books and hands-on activities, kids will learn more about Jewish holidays including Hanukkah in this four-week class.
JUF Young Families Celebrates the Magic of Chanukah at the Morton Arboretum (Lisle)
December 18, 2022 | 3:30pm – 5:30pm
Celebrate Hanukkah with a Chanukah magic show, then enjoy the one-mile walking path of the Illumination lights festival.
Annual Chanukah Party (Northbrook)
December 18 2022 | 3:30pm – 6.30pm
Organized by the Shomrim Society of Illinois. Contact the organizer for more information.
Hanukkah Storytime (Bolingbrook)
December 19, 2022 | 10:30am – 11:00am
A special Hanukkah storytime at the Fountaindale Public Library. Drop-in.
Are there special Hanukkah traditions that you enjoy every year with your family? Please share below. Then, take a look at this neat article for a little inspiration about building new Hanukkah traditions. And, don’t miss our page on more holiday experiences to share with kids this winter!
