8 Hanukkah Celebrations and Festivities in NYC 2021

Hanukkah Celebrations and Festivities
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Hanukkah Celebrations and Festivities in NYC

Hanukkah is all about celebrating traditions and spending time together as a family. Luckily, New York has many events happening throughout the holiday season that will allow you to celebrate in many different ways. Whether you are looking for a menorah lighting or a glow in the dark dance party, there are Hanukkah celebrations and festivities that will make your Hanukkah more memorable.

Psst… Check out 9 Amazing Menorah Lighting Ceremonies in 2021: Your Guide to NYC, Long Island, and Westchester

Hanukkah at Jane’s Carousel
Jane’s Carousel, New Dock Street, Brooklyn, NY
December 1, 4:30pm – 6:30pm

Hosted by Chabad of Dumbo, Chanukah at Jane’s Carousel brings families together to celebrate the holiday in a fun way. Take part in activities such as carousel rides, ice Menorah carvings, arts and crafts, and more! At the  end of the night, families are able to gather around and take part in a traditional Menorah lighting ceremony. This event is free, but guests are asked to register. 

Hanukkah on Ice
Wollman Rink
November 29, 6pm – 9pm

This annual skating experience is known as one of the biggest Hanukkah parties in the city. Guests can enjoy listening to Jewish music, eating delicious kosher food and, of course, skating the night away! To keep everyone safe and healthy, guests over the age of 12 will be asked to show a proof of vaccination, a recent PCR test, or get rapid tested at the venue. Masks will also be required in the Club House at all times.Tickets start online at $22 or $30 with skate rentals but prices will go up when purchasing at the door.

Hanukkah Under the Stars

92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY
December 5, 4pm & 5:30pm

Celebrate the festival of light while gazing up at the stars! 92Y is putting on a rooftop event where guests will be able to take part in fun and festive activities. Parents will enjoy jamming out to classic hanukkah songs while the kids play with their friends. The event will also be available online. Adults and kids 12+ will have to show proof of vaccination and masks should be worn at all times. Tickets start at $18.

Hanukkah Family Fest
Jewish Children’s Museum
November 28-December 6, Monday-Thursday 10am-4pm, Sunday 10am-5:30pm

Get your kids excited to celebrate Hanukkah with fun activities put on at The Jewish Children’s Museum. Kids will be able to make unique Chanukah arts, decorate donuts, and learn the art of olive oil making. This fest will be the perfect way to celebrate the holiday with the family.

Chanukah Celebration
The Chelsea Green Park, 140 W 20th Street
December 2, 5:30pm

You are not going to want to miss the Hanukkah celebration at The Chelsea Green Park! Enjoy some delicious treats as well as fun activities and crafts that will make for a perfect celebration! Not only are there fun activities but there will also be a Grand Menorah Lighting to add some tradition to the celebration.

Chabad of Long Island City: Community Chanukah Celebration
Gantry Plaza State Park, 48th Avenue and Center Blvd.
December 1, 6pm

At the Community Chanukah Celebration, there are fun activities that are perfect for each member of the family! Not only is there live music and good food, but visitors will also love watching a performance by Chabad Hebrew School. This event is free but donations are appreciated.

Hanukkah Hunt Gallery Program
The Jewish Museum, 1109 5th Avenue, New York, NY
December 5, 10:30am – 3pm

Are you looking for a fun and educational way to end the Hanukkah holiday? Bring your family to see different menorahs from around the world at The Jewish Museum. Take part on a fun hunt around the museum for treasured works of art. This event is free with the purchase of a museum ticket.

Latke Festival 2021
Location TBA
December 6, 6pm – 8:30pm

The most unique holiday tasting event is coming back! Organized by Great Performance, this festival is put on to celebrate some of the most creative potato pancakes. If families want to get more information about this event, sign up to get their newsletters.

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Monster Mini Golf

<p>Upon entering Monster Mini Golf, all perceptions of traditional mini golf will be spirited away by the indoor, 18-hole, monster-theme, glow-in-the-dark miniature golf course! The locations in <a href="https://monsterminigolf.com/deerpark/">Deer Park</a>, and <a href="https://monsterminigolf.com/gardencity/">Garden City, NY</a> invite guests to experience a host of family-oriented fun activities. Whether visiting for the first time or the one hundredth, mini golfers feel the excitement and adventure of playing mini golf amidst spooktacular monsters and custom, glow-in-the-dark, hand-painted artwork. While testing their skill on the fairways, lively music flows over the course from the unique “WEIRD Radio” station” and an interactive DJ entertains golfers with contests, awarding cool prizes for the wackiest reasons. While the course is challenging enough for adults, it is also quite playable for children. Monster Mini Golf is open year-round and frightfully fun for the entire family. In addition to miniature golf and thrilling arcade and redemption games, the locations offer additional attractions. <a href="https://monsterminigolf.com/deerpark/">Monster Mini Golf in Deer Park, NY</a> offers a Laser Maze and a Virtual Reality experience. The Garden City location offers a Laser Maze, Bowling, and a Virtual Reality Experience. Two very posh, private party rooms are also available and are perfect for any event. Monster Mini Golf looks forward to making it a monstrous success. Monster Mini Golf is indoors, ensuring that the event will always take place, regardless of the weather. It is a climate-controlled, affordable source of family entertainment. For more details please visit <a href="http://monsterminigolf.com">monsterminigolf.com</a> or find them on Facebook.</p>

Elf the Musical

<p>They'll sing loud for all to hear. You can bring the Christmas cheer.</p> <p>Start decking the halls, people – <em><strong>it's Elf The Musical</strong></em>!</p> <p>After a decade away, the beloved holiday classic is back on Broadway for a strictly limited run. Whether you’re searching for the perfect stocking stuffer or a festive outing for the whole family, this family-friendly show is packed with joy, laughter, and snow-covered magic.</p> <p>A musical comedy adaptation of the hit 2003 film, <em><strong>Elf The Musical</strong></em> follows Buddy the orphan who, after being raised by elves at the North Pole, embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and help the people he meets rediscover the true meaning of Christmas. Academy Award® nominee Sean Astin ("Lord of the Rings") is Santa Claus alongside Tony Award® nominee Grey Henson as Buddy, Drama Desk Award nominee Ashley Brown as Emily, and rising star Kayla Davion as Jovie. Plus, keep an eye out for social media celebrity Kalen Allen – known for his appearances on "The Ellen Show" – as the hilarious store manager.</p> <p>Called “a slickly irresistible and fizzily enjoyable confection of a show” (<em>Time Out</em>), this holly-jolly hit is one you won't want to miss. Through January 4 only!</p>

Once Upon A Mattress

<p>Bring your kids.</p> <p>Bring your parents.</p> <p>Bring your favorite pajamas!</p> <p>Once Upon a Mattress is back on Broadway, and it’s “pure let’s-be-kids entertainment” (New Yorker) fit for ages 7 to 107!</p> <p>Two-time Tony® winner Sutton Foster stars as Princess Winnifred the Woebegone, alongside royalty of stage and screen Michael Urie and Queen of Comedy Ana Gasteyer. Adapted for a new generation by Amy Sherman-Palladino (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), this uproarious retelling of The Princess and the Pea introduces the unapologetically eccentric Winnifred to an uptight kingdom, where she charms, delights, and dances her way to the top… of a stack of mattresses.</p> <p>So give the babysitter the night off and your kids a night on the town – you'll all live happily ever laughter!</p> <p>Get tickets at <a href="https://onceuponamattressnyc.com/">https://onceuponamattressnyc.com/</a></p>