December 08, 2017

Celebrate Hanukkah in Philly with these top picks

Many places in the city are hosting special events or offering delicious holiday foods

By Sinead Cummings
PhillyVoice Staff

Stock_Carroll - Holiday Decorations in Philadelphia

Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice

Holiday lights at Rittenhouse Square.

The first day of Hanukkah is Tuesday, Dec. 12. To celebrate the eight-day Festival of Lights, many places around Philly are hosting special events or offering delicious holiday foods.

In the roundup below, you'll find a menorah-lighting, a Hanukkah feast and more. Through Wednesday, Dec. 20, there are plenty of ways to celebrate.

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Things to do:

Rittenhouse Square Menorah Lighting

The menorah lighting at Rittenhouse Square will include traditional prayers and songs.

Before, there will be a kid-friendly party at the Ethical Society, beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 17
5 p.m. | Free
Rittenhouse Square

Boathouse Row Hanukkah Lighting and Celebration

Ed Newton/for PhillyVoice

The Vesper and Malta Boat Clubs act as the shamash of the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation sponsored Boathouse Row menorah. Photographed Thursday, December 29, 2016.

The festive program will feature traditional prayers and songs, culminating in the illumination of the blue and white lights on Boathouse Row at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 12
5:30-6:30 p.m. | Free
Boathouse Row

Cocktails and Candle Lighting at National Museum of American Jewish History

The Hanukkah celebration will include festive lights, hors d'oeuvres, a speciality cocktail, wine, beer, a Hanukkah-themed take-home craft and access to the exhibition "Power of Protest: The Movement to Free Soviet Jews."

Thursday, Dec. 14
7-10 p.m. | $25-$35 per person
National Museum of American Jewish History
101 S. Independence Mall E.
(215) 923-3811

Chanukah Wonderland at Please Touch Museum

Kids can enjoy a daylong program of Hanukkah-related activities at the Please Touch Museum. There will be dreidel games, holiday card-making, storytime and more.

All activities are free with museum admission, which is $19 per person.

Wednesday, Dec. 13
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Free with admission
Please Touch Museum
4231 Avenue of the Republic
(215) 581-3181

Things to eat:

Latkes at Tria Taproom

On all eight nights of Hanukkah, Tria Taproom's chef will use his bubbe's recipe to make latkes for guests. The potato pancakes will be available from open to close.

Tuesday, Dec. 12 through Wednesday, Dec. 20
Tria Taproom
2005 Walnut St.
(215) 557-8277