Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated around the world by Jews to commemorate a centuries-old miracle. During the eight-day holiday, Jews light menorahs, play dreidel and eat traditional foods like latkes and sufganiyot. Illuminated and decorated public menorahs are also a popular sight during Hanukkah. But where do they celebrate this holiday?
The worldwide Jewish community celebrates Hanukkah, so it is celebrated in different countries in different ways. Depending on the cultural context, the holiday may be observed with large, public gatherings and ceremonies, or with more modest, private affairs.
In the United States of America
Hanukkah in the United States is celebrated with large public menorah lightings, festive concerts, and even special shows on television networks. There are also several large-scale national Hanukkah festivals. The annual Latke Festival in New York City has been held since 2012, and the Festival of Lights in Los Angeles was launched in 2019. In addition, Hanukkah lights are a common sight from coast to coast, outside iconic monuments like the White House in Washington, D.C. and throughout many of America’s major cities and towns.
In Israel
In Israel, Hanukkah is celebrated with large public menorah lightings, concerts, and festivals. During the holiday, special decorations are placed around public squares and parks. Perhaps most famously, the popular Jerusalem Hanukkah market takes over the city’s main downtown pedestrian mall each year, with dozens of vendors selling everything from traditional Hanukkah foods to crafts and decorations.
Elsewhere Around the World
Chanukah is typically celebrated around the world in much the same way as it is in the United States and Israel, although many countries have their own local traditions and customs. In England, there are public menorah lightings and festive gatherings in cities like London and Manchester. In France, the holiday is even celebrated on public television, with a dedicated show featuring popular singers performing holiday songs. In Lithuania, the holiday is celebrated with a yearly parade going from one synagogue to another, featuring a large menorah.
From large-scale public events to private family gatherings, Hanukkah is a holiday that brings people of the Jewish faith together from around the world. Whether it’s through traditional songs, lighting colorful menorahs, or eating delicious latkes and sufganiyot, the joy of the Festival of Lights is celebrated in many places in many ways.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.