Bask in the Glow of the Festival of Lights at These Hanukkah Events

Eight crazy nights are just a few days away! Hanukkah runs this year from December 7 through December 15, and Lower Manhattan is celebrating in style with lots of menorah lightings and other events. You can get a tour of the New York Stock Exchange, enjoy an all-you-can-eat sufganiyot buffet, party on a rooftop and much more. Here are six options in the neighborhood. 

Rockefeller Park Menorah (and Tree) Lighting

On December 7, Rockefeller Park will be full of holiday cheer for observers of both Christmas and Hanukkah. The joint tree lighting and menorah lighting kicks off at 6 p.m. and will feature carols, drinks, treats and performances from Broadway’s Sam Primack, who starred in “Dear Evan Hansen,” as well as the chorus from PS/IS 276. Feel free to bring a toy with you for the Coalition for the Homeless’s toy collection. They’ll be accepting unwrapped gifts at 75 Battery Pl. on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. if you miss the park celebration. 

Hanukkah Celebration at Bowling Green

On December 7, the Jewish Learning Experience is hosting a celebration at the “location of the first Jewish community in North America” that dates back 369 years. It will feature the lighting of a grand menorah, Hanukkah treats, music, balloons, face painting and more. The event starts at 4 p.m. at Bowling Green Park.

Menorah Lighting and Celebration at the Seaport

The Seaport will bring its six-foot-tall menorah to life right after sunset on December 10 on the Heineken Riverdeck at Pier 17. From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., the lighting ceremony will feature latkes, hot cocoa, live music, arts and crafts, face painting and other treats. Hosted by the Jewish Learning Experience, the free event will also feature a menorah made of chocolate. 

Menorah Lighting at the New York Stock Exchange

Not every menorah lighting is in a park; this one happens right outside the New York Stock Exchange, and comes with a chance to enter the famous “pen” inside the building. On December 11, the menorah lighting party will feature sufganiyot and other holiday treats, and a live performance from rapper Nissim Black. Plus, every 10th registration comes with a special VIP entrance to the NYSE pen. The event runs from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.; register here. 

Rooftop Hanukkah at the Hyatt Centric

On December 12, you’re invited to the rooftop lounge of the Hyatt Centric at 75 Wall St. for a huge party that includes an open bar, sushi buffet and menorah celebration. The festivities run from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will feature a menorah lighting by youth community leaders, tunes from DJ Leviticus and loads of food: a sufganiyot-and-latke buffet and an all-you-can-eat sushi buffet by the in-house chef. Tickets are $54 before December 7, and $72 afterwards. 

Menorah Lighting at FDNY Engine 4

Proper fire safety is key to any lighting ceremony (well, one that includes real candles, at least) so there’s no better place to celebrate than at one of our local firehouses. FDNY Engine 4 (42 South St.) is hosting a menorah lighting celebration on December 13 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. It’s also a chance to check out the FDNY equipment and learn about fire safety. 

photo: iStock