Hanukkah In Northern Virginia 2019: Events And Lightings

NORTHERN VIRGINIA — Hanukkah events are scheduled across Northern Virginia to celebrate the Jewish winter holiday that begins on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 22 and ends on the evening of Monday, Dec. 30. Known as the Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, also spelled Chanukah, celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem.

As the story goes, one vial of oil that was found was just enough oil to illuminate the Temple's menorah for one day. But the small amount of oil miraculously kept the menorah illuminated for eight full days.

Along with celebrating Hanukkah at home with your family, you can celebrate the holiday at public events across the region. Most of the scheduled events welcome both adults and children of all ages. Here is a list of events in Northern Virginia:

Sunday, Dec. 22

• The Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia is hosting a Chanukah Family Fun Fest from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22. Geared to families with school-aged kids (kindergarten through middle school), activities include a games workshop, game show and menorah lighting. The fee is $15 in advance per family or $20 at the door. The event will be held at the Pozez Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia at 8900 Little River Turnpike in Fairfax.
• Organized by Chabad of Reston-Herndon, the Chanukah Gelt Drop starts at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22 and features firefighters dropping thousands of chocolate coins from 25 feet up in the air. Enjoy a special menorah lighting plus hot cider, latkes, donuts, chanukah music and more. Admission is free and open to all. The event will take place on the green in front of the Herndon Town Hall at 730 Station Street in Herndon.
• The Chabad of Greater Gainesville & Manassas is holding the Chanukah at Virginia Gateway at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22. Attendees are asked to meet on the Plaza at The Atlas Walk for the grand menorah lighting with local dignitaries, music, kids crafts, hot latkes and Chanukah treats, and raffles. The event will take place across from Starbucks at 7375 Atlas Walk Way in Gainesville.
• Don't miss the Chanukah on Ice annual community event at Pentagon Row in Arlington from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22. The event features ice skating, lighting of a giant six-foot menorah, a free raffle and food, including kosher hot dogs and latkes. The lighting ceremony is open to all. Activity fees, which include skate rental, are $13. Food will be sold separately. Pentagon Row is located at 1201 South Joyce Street in Arlington.

Monday, Dec. 23

• Chabad of Nova and the city of Fairfax are hosting a Festival of Lights in Old Town Fairfax Square from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 23. The Chanukah celebration will include a grand menorah lighting with U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly and other government and city officials, along with hot latkes, hot chocolate and donuts. The event, scheduled for the second night of Chanukah, also will feature live music, arts and crafts, and prizes. Old Town Square is located at 10415 North Street.

Tuesday, Dec. 24

• Chabad of Reston-Herndon is hosting an event called Flip Like A Latkeh Trampoline Jump Party at Launch Trampoline Park Herndon from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tueday, Dec. 24. The event includes unlimited jumping, a menorah lighting with a surprise guest, and chocolate gelt, latkehs, donuts and more. There will also be a grand raffle. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $10 per person or $25 per family for jumping. The park is located at 13348 Franklin Farm Road in Herndon.

Wednesday, Dec. 25

• A Light Up Arlington event will take place in Clarendon Central Park at 3140 Wilson Blvd., across from the Clarendon Metro station, at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 25 with the lighting of a giant six-foot menorah. Sponsored by Chabad Lubavitch of Alexandria-Arlington, the lighting of the menorah will begin at 6 p.m. Hot potato latkes and chocolate gelt will be served. There will also be Chanukah music.

Thursday, Dec. 26

• Chabad Lubavitch of Alexandria-Arlington is hosting a Chanukah festival in Old Town Alexandria at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 26 at the The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street. The event will feature the lighting of a giant menorah by community leaders and dignitaries. Admission is free to the event, which also will have a free raffle, lively Chanukah music and free light stick for every child. Attendees will get to enjoy delicious hot potato latkes and chocolate gelt.
• Chabad of Springfield is hosting Magic in the Mall at the Springfield Town Center from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 26. The fun-filled event includes a magic show, a giant menorah lighting, Chanukah arts and crafts, and hot chocolate latkes and donuts. The free event takes place at 6500 Springfield Mall near Dave and Busters.
• Enjoy the Chanukah Hop to the Donut Shop from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Duck Donuts, 300 Elden St., Herndon on Thursday, Dec. 26. The event features spinning dreidels, crafts and stories. Each family pays for their own refreshments. RSVP by emailing Jordyn.Barry@theJ.org.

Friday, Dec. 27

• Join the Chanukah Hop to your local donut shop from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 27 at Krispy Kreme Doughnuts at 6332 Richmond Highway in Alexandria. The event, hosted by Growing Jewish Families of Northern Virginia, will include spinning dreidels, crafts and stories. Each family pays for their own refreshments. RSVP by emailing Amy.Lummer@theJ.org.

Saturday, Dec. 28

• Moms, dads, grandparents and anyone who loves books are invited to bring children to enjoy Chanukah Book Buddies during story time at Gum Spring Library in Loudoun County from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday Dec. 28 where they will learn about Chanukah. There will be stories, activities and crafts about the holiday. Gum Spring Library is located at 24600 Millstream Dr., Stone Ridge. RSVP for the event to Jennifer.DeAngelis@theJ.org.

Sunday, Dec. 29

• The Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia is hosting a Light Up the Night event from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 29 in Strawberry Park at Mosaic District in Merrifield at 2910 District Ave. Attendees can light the candles, sing songs, enjoy entertainment, feast on sufganiyot (donuts), and spin the dreidel. Admission is free.

Contact mark.hand@patch.com if you know of an event not on this list.