Where To Celebrate Hanukkah In The Sarasota Area

SARASOTA, FL — Hanukkah, the Jewish holiday known as the Festival of Lights, is an annual eight-day commemoration of the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Maccabees after their victory over their Greek-Syrian oppressors, according to History.com.

The holiday starts on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. Usually, it falls in November or December.

This year, Hanukkah starts Thursday at sundown and runs through the evening of Friday, Dec. 18. While the COVID-19 pandemic has put a damper on large gatherings this year, here are some ways to celebrate the holiday in the Sarasota area.

Outdoor Menorah Lighting

Chabad of Venice & North Port host a public outdoor menorah lighting at 396 W. Dearborn Street in Englewood Thursday at 5 p.m. There will be crafts, music, latkes and doughnuts at this free event.

Chanukah Drive-in Concert

The Chabad of Bradenton & Lakewood Ranch present a free drive-in concert Thursday at 6 p.m. at Premier Sports Campus located at 5895 Post Blvd. in Lakewood Ranch. Performers include Freylach Klezmer Band, an aerialist show, stilt walkers and jugglers. Doughnuts and latkes will be served and gift boxes will be distributed. Register online here.

Hanukkah Magic Show

This free virtual show features magician and mentalist Jason Silberman. The show, which is presented by the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, takes place Thursday at 7 p.m. It’s appropriate for children ages 8 and older. Learn more about the program here.

Havdalakkah

This virtual event, which takes place Saturday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.. presented by the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee celebrates both Havdalah and Hanukkah. The evening features community song leader Sidney Krupkin and other community leaders. This is a free event. Learn more online here or watch it stream live on Facebook.

Chanukah Light Live

Chabad of Venice hosts a virtual menorah lighting Saturday at 7 p.m. This free event features The Schmerling Family Havdalah and menorah lighting, performances by Nissim Black and Yitzchok Moully, Rabbi YY Jacobson, Israel's ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer, and food writer and blogger Chani Apfelbaum. Sign up for the event here.

C Kids Light Up the Town

C Kids present Light Up the Town Sunday from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. at The Chabad Tent located at 5712 Lorraine Road. Families can learn the message of Hanukkah on this scavenger hunt around town. They’ll also create their own dreidel sculptures and enjoy doughnuts and latkes. This event is free for CHS students and their families, and $15 each for other children ages 3 to 12. Learn more and register online here.

Parade of Lights

This Chanukah car parade will start at Chabad of Venice, 21560 Angela Lane in Venice Sunday at 4:30 p.m. The parade will head to Centennial Park, located at 200 W Venice Ave., for the grand menorah lighting at 5:30 p.m. Learn more online here.

A Taste of Chanukah

This drive-in music and food festival is presented by Chabad of Sarasota. It takes place Sunday, 4 to 5:30 p.m., at Phillippi Estate Park, located at 5500 S Tamiami Trail. Entertainment includes a BMX Trick Stars show and live music by DJ CJ Koenig. This is a free event. Learn more online here.

Parade of Light

The Chabad House, located at 5712 Lorraine Road in Bradenton, is the starting point for a Parade of Lights on Tuesday, the sixth night of Hannukah. The event will feature car menorahs to borrow or buy (while supplies last) community menorah lightings stops and swag. Cars will meet at the Chabad house at 6 p.m. From there, additional stops include Lakewood Ranch Medical Center at 6:30 p.m. and Del Webb at 7:15 p.m. Learn more and register for the event here.

Are there any upcoming holiday events missing from our list? Email Sarasota Patch at Tiffany.Razzano@Patch.com.

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