Every year, several organizations present Hanukkah celebrations for the community in the Charlotte area. These events are family friendly and most are free.
Events include Menorah lightings, parties, and even a Menorah Car Parade. We are waiting to hear back about some other events that take place most years.
Some of the events include free food. Traditional foods to eat on Hanukkah are potato latkes (potato pancakes), doughnuts and chocolate gelt (chocolate candy.)
Hanukkah begins the evening of Thursday, December 10th, 2020, and ends the evening of Friday, December 18th.
Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah) is a Jewish festival that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt. It’s also known as the Festival of Lights.
The central symbol of Hanukkah is the Menorah (or more specifically, a Hanukkiah), a candelabrum with 9 branches, each holding a candle.
On each of the eight nights, an additional candle is lit, so that on the first night, just one is, an on the last night, all eight are lit. The ninth branch holds a candle called the “shammash” (“helper” or “servant”) which is used to light the others, and also remains lit each night.
Build Your Own Menorah
Build Your Own Menorah with Chabad of Lake Norman
Sunday, December 6th, 2020
10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
$5 a child
Chabad of Lake Norman is partnering with The Home Depot to offer a Menorah making workshop for children. Please register here to choose your time slot. Besides the Menorah building, there will also be Hanukkah snacks, activities and games. The activity will take place outside, or in an open garage if the weather is bad. When you sign up you can indicate if you’re comfortable with doing the activity at the same time as one or two other families, socially distanced, or if you would prefer a time slot with just your family.
Chanukah Wonderland
- Sunday, December 6th, 2020, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday, December 13th, 2020, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
7804 Rea Road (near the fountains at Stonecrest, the old Dean and Deluca)
$10 a child (age 3 and up.) Register here.
If you’d like to bring a group/pod outside of the Sunday hours, and have the Chanukah Wonderland for yourself, you can register for that now.
This fun event from Ballantyne Jewish Center includes:
- Chanukah Crafts
- Photo Booth
- Dance Dance Revolution
- Games
- Scavenger hunts
- Chanukah Snacks
Menorah of Gratitude at StoneCrest
Thursday, December 10th, 2020
5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
StoneCrest at Piper Glen
7824 Rea Road
Free
Ballantyne Jewish Center’s 7th annual StoneCrest menorah lighting will be in gratitude for those who have been on the front lines of Covid-19. Music, kids’ activities, latkes and donuts. The menorah will be at a new location to allow for more social distancing. Parking lot of Regal Movie Theater. Enjoy a juggling show, balloon twisting, individually packed latkes and donuts, and goody bags for everyone. There will be room for everyone to be safely distanced. There will be special parking for those who prefer to watch from their car.
Menorah Lighting at Birkdale
Thursday, December 10th, 2020
6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Birkdale Village
8712 Lindholm Drive, Huntersville
Free, but RSVP here
Join Birkdale Village and Chabad Lake Norman for an evening of Hanukkah celebration.
Temple Solel presents The Hanukkah Experience with The Ruach — virtual concert
Friday, December 11th, 2020
7 p.m.
Online
Free
Go to The Ruach’s YouTube channel, where the concert will be streamed.
Family Chanukah Maccabi Challenge
Sunday, December 13th, 2020
3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Levine Jewish Community Center
5007 Providence Road, Charlotte
Free
Preschool aged children and their families are invited to a fun filled hour of games and challenges. There will be relays, an obstacle course, zumba and much more! Jelly donuts will be served. Register by calling 704-366-5007 or here.
Car Menorah Parade
Sunday, December 13th, 2020
3:30 p.m.
Starting at Chabad of Charlotte, 6619 Sardis Road
Free
This annual parade of Menorahs goes from Chabad of Charlotte to SouthPark Mall, where there is a community Menorah lighting event. Check back soon for details about the Menorah lighting at SouthPark.
Scissor Lift Menorah Lighting at SouthPark
Sunday, December 13th, 2020
5 p.m.
SouthPark Mall, 4400 Sharon Road
Join Chabad of Charlotte for Charlotte’s Highest Chanukah Menorah Lighting in the Parking Lot of Dick’s Sporting Goods at Southpark Mall! Gelt Drop, Gameshow, Music and More!
Participants will be asked to remain in their cars as the Menorah lighting will be visible from everyone’s cars and the audio will be broadcast via FM transmitter.
Hanukkah With a Twist
Sunday, December 13th, 2020
7 p.m.
Online
Free
Celebrate the festival of lights online with the Levine JCC. Join in for Hanukkah trivia, menorah lighting and songs. Fun for all ages! B.Y.O.D – Bring Your Own Dreidel! This is a FREE event but registration is required – Zoom link to be provided upon registration. Register by calling 704-366-5007 or here.
Drive Up Menorah Lighting
Sunday, December 13th, 2020
5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Lake Norman YMCA
21300 Davidson Street, Cornelius
Free
At this Menorah lighting celebration you’ll have the option to join a socially distanced celebration or to watch from your car. There will be pre-packaged Hanukkah refreshments, Hanukkah crafts and activities.
Temple Israel Social Club’s Hanukkah Program — Virtual Event
Sunday, December 13th, 2020
12:30 p.m.
Online
Free
This year the Social Club’s Annual Hanukkah Program will be via ZOOM. The community will virtually light our Hanukkah Menorahs and spin our dreidels together. Cantor Emeritus Elias Roochvarg will help celebrate with Hanukkah tales and songs. This year, you will be able to order latkes to pick up and enjoy during the event at home. Click here to register and to order latkes.
Light Over Darkness — Virtual Event
Sunday, December 13th, 2020
5:30 p.m.
Online
Free
Join Temple Israel virtually for a festive evening of street art, Hanukkah candle lighting and singing! Rabbi Wolk, Cantor Lissek and their families are thrilled to join Queens Jewish Life as they contribute to the work of acclaimed Jewish street artist, Mike Wirth. Temple Israel’s clergy will spray paint the fourth night’s flame on Charlotte’s large Hanukkah Mural Project. Join the Zoom meeting.
Waxhaw Menorah Lighting
Tuesday, December 15th, 2020
5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
111 E North Main St at the Overhead Bridge, Waxhaw
Free
This is Ballantyne Jewish Center’s 6th annual Menorah lighting in Waxhaw!
Women of Temple Israel: Shining Your Light: A Hanukkah Celebration with Eliana Light
Thursday, December 17th, 2020
8 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Online
Free, but there’s a raffle: $10/ticket or $20 for 3 tickets
Join singer-songwriter and educator Eliana Light as we sing, dream, and explore the light in our lives. Members and non-members are welcome!
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Ariel DiDonato says
Why are all the events listed from Chabad agencies? Not that I don’t think these agencies are great, but it doesn’t mention anything of events that Temple Israel, Temple Beth El, the JCC or the Federation are offering. A little disappointed in Charlotte On The Cheap for not offering a better variety of options for the community.
Jody Mace says
We add the events as we become aware of them. I’d encourage all the synagogues to submit their events for inclusion. We are still adding events, and we would never intentionally exclude inexpensive public events from any synagogue. I expect more to be added to this list very soon.
Fred Shporer says
I find Charlotte on the Cheap listing all publicized Chanukah events as an excellent service. Ariel, what specific Chanukah event do you identify as COTC not listing? It appears that rather then being appreciative of the identified listings you are masking a problem with Chabad.