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 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 Sunday, November 28th, 2021, and final evening is Sunday, December 5th.
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.
Menorah Workshop
Sunday, November 21st, 2021
2:30 p.m.
Davidson’s Village Green
$5 per child
Reservation required
More info about Menorah Workshop in Davidson
This event from Chabad of Lake Norman includes a chance for kids to build their own menorahs, enjoy Chanukah treats, and take part in Chanukah activities and games. Make sure to sign up in advance at above link.
Chanukah Wonderland 2021
Chanukah Wonderland
Wednesday, November 24th, 2021
Friday, November 26th, 2021
Sunday, November 28th, 2021
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day
Stonecrest Shopping Center, next to the fountain plaza
Reservation required
$10 for children age 2 and up. Admission is free for children under age 2 and adults.
Fun program for preschoolers through teens.
- Chanukah crafts
- Multi-Media Room
- Virtual Reality
- Dance Dance Revolution
- Chanukah Manicures
- Candle Making
- Laser Maze
- Chanukah Escape Room
- Glow in the Dark Oil Quest
- and more!
Chanukah Concert and Celebration with 8th Day
Sunday, November 28th, 2021
5 p.m.
Symphony Park
4400 Sharon Road, Charlotte
$18 per person, or $54 per family. Children ages 5 and under admitted for free
More info
The concert will feature 8th Day, a Hasidic pop rock group based in Los Alamitos, California. The band has released severn studio albums, and their music video for “Ya’alili” has had over 7 million views on YouTube.
The theme of this Chanukah concert is Jewish Unity and pride, celebrating the light of Chanukah.
The event will also feature a grand Menorah lighting, as well as free donuts, latkes and water. A Kosher deli dinner will be available for $15, by pre-order only.
First Night of Hanukkah with Temple Kol Tikvah (including donut truck)
Sunday, November 28th, 2021
5 to 8 p.m.
Temple Kol Tikvah of Lake Norman
605 South Street, Davidson, NC
Free
More info
Celebrate the first night of Hanukkah in Davidson with crafts, games, s’mores, hot cocoa, latkes and a donut truck. Play the Menorah Ring Toss. Paint your own dreidel and spin it to win chocolate gelt. Light the menorah for the first night of Hanukkah. This event is open to the whole community and is sponsored by Kol Tikvah Temple Youth and Jewish Council of Lake Norman.
Menorah Lighting at StoneCrest
Monday, November 29th, 2021
5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
StoneCrest at Piper Glen
7824 Rea Road, Charlotte
Free
More info
Ballantyne Jewish Center’s 8th Annual Stonecrest Menorah Lighting will be at Fountains Plaza. There will be music, fun activities for the kids, and latkes and donuts, as well as goody bags with crafts and Hanukkah fun for every family.
Chanukah Celebration at Birkdale Village
Tuesday, November 30th, 2021
5:30 p.m.
Birkdale Village on the Green
8712 Lindholm Drive, Huntersville, NC
Free
Enjoy children’s crafts, latkes, donuts, music and more. Presented by Chabad of Lake Norman. More info.
Menorah Lighting in Downtown Matthews
Tuesday, November 30th, 2021
5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
In front of Matthews Town Hall
232 Matthews Station Street, Matthews
Free
More info
Waxhaw Menorah Lighting
Wednesday, December 1st, 2021
5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
111 E North Main St at the Overhead Bridge, Waxhaw
Free
More info
This is Ballantyne Jewish Center’s 7th annual Menorah lighting in Waxhaw!
Menorah Lighting in Weddington
Thursday, December 2nd, 2021
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Weddington Town Hall
1924 Weddington Road, Weddington
More info
Come to the first ever public Menorah lighting in Weddington. The lighting will be at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy donuts, latkes, music and crafts. Presented by Chabad of Charlotte and Ballantyne Jewish Center.
Charlotte on the Cheap is a member of 
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.