A guide to San Diego area community events for Hanukkah–the Festival of Lights

Hanukkah begins at sundown Dec. 14 and continues to nightfall Dec. 22. The Jewish festival, sometimes called the Festival of Lights, hearkens back to the restoration of Jerusalem and the rededication of the Second Temple in the 2nd century. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, commemorating the miracle of a one-day supply of lamp oil that lasted eight days. Candles are lit each night in a special candelabra called a Hanukkah Menorah that holds nine candles. Here are some community celebrations:

CARLSBAD

Hanukkah celebration: Chabad La Costa hosts lighting of the menorah celebrations for Hanukkah, the Jewish “Festival of Lights, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at Carlsbad Premium Outlets, 5620 Paseo Del Norte, with live music, menorah lighting, donuts, latkes and crafts and from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 17 at The Forum Carlsbad, 1923 Calle Barcelona. Visit https://www.chabadatlacosta.com

CARMEL VALLEY

Menorah Lighting at One Paseo: A community menorah lighting celebration is from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Koi Pond at One Paseo, 3725 Paseo Pl. Highlights include festive music, donuts, hot latkes, face painting and balloons along with traditional lighting ceremony. Visit https://www.onepaseo.com/events/menorah-lighting/

Festival of Lights at the Highlands: The annual Hanukkah Menorah Lighting is from 6 to 7 p.m. Dec. 18 outside the Cinepolis movie theater at the Del Mar Highlands Town Center, 12925 El Camino Real. The event, hosted by Congregation Beth Am, will feature the lighting of the candles, singing and donuts along with other treats. There will be a musical revue by San Diego’s Jewish theatrical company, Shayna Punims, titled “Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah.” Visit https://www.betham.com/event/cbaevent121825

ENCINITAS

Fields of Light: An intergenerational Hanukkah Celebration is from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 21 at Coastal Roots Farm to honor the holiday’s spirit of resilience and hope and to inspire the community to spread light. Highlights include live music by Kol Tefillah, traditional Hanukkah games, illuminated garden, herb harvesting, latkes and noshes. Admission is $25; $10 for children.  Preregistration required at https://coastalrootsfarm.givevirtuous.org/Event/chanukah2025/tickets  

ESCONDIDO

Family Hanukkah Party: Congregation B’nai Tikvah will hold its annual community Hanukkah Party and Latke Contest at 6 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Masonic Center, 1331 S. Escondido Blvd. There will be latkes and donuts for dinner. Bring your menorah and candles to light. There will be Hanukkah songs led by Cantor Larry Kornit and retelling of the Hanukkah story. Free. Bring something dairy to share at the party and non-perishable food for Interfaith Community Services along with gently used coats, hoodies, shirts to donate to Sharia’s Closet that provides emergency clothing in the San Diego State area. For more information, call 760-650-2262 or visit bnaitikvahsd.org.

Menorah Lighting: A Hanukkah celebration is at 5 p.m. Dec. 16 at Westfield North County Mall on the 2nd floor indoors in front of Macy’s. There will be Grand Menorah Lighting, holiday treats and crafts for the kids. Free Admission. RSVP at www.chabadpoway.com/chanukah

LA JOLLA

Grand Menorah Lighting: Chabad of La Jolla hosts its annual community Hanukkah celebration with Grand Menorah Lighting, live music, latkes and donuts along with dreidels and menorah kits  from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 14 at La Valencia Hotel, 1132 Prospect St. Visit chabadoflajolla.com.

OCEANSIDE

Light Up Oceanside: Chabad Jewish Center of Oceanside/Vista holds its annual community-wide Hanukkah celebration, themed “Light Up Oceanside” at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Regal Cinema Plaza, 401 Mission Ave. Highlights include lighting of a giant 16-foot menorah, donuts, latkes and hot cocoa along with live DJ, fire show and Gelt drop. Admission is free. Visit https://www.jewishoceanside.com/

POWAY

Hanukkah Train: A community Hanukkah celebration is at 4 p.m. Dec. 14 at Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Rd, There will be latkes, donuts, Dreidel giveaways, chocolate coins, children’s crafts and face painting.  Free admission. RSVP at chabadpoway.com/train

SAN DIEGO

Hanukkah Menorah lighting: Liberty Station’s annual Hanukkah celebration and Menorah Lighting is from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Central Promenade. The free family-friendly event with music, live entertainment and the traditional lighting of the menorah, is in partnership with The Chabads of Downtown San Diego and Pacific Beach. Visit https://libertystation.com/events/salute-the-season/menorah-lighting

Hanukkah at SeaWorld: There will be daily illumination of the menorah, which will be lit each evening Dec. 14-22 to honor the spirit of the season as part of SeaWorld San Diego’s holiday celebration. Visit seaworldsandiego.com.

Hanukkah Festivities: Seaport Village is partnering with the Chabad of Downtown San Diego to host a family-friendly Hanukkah event from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 15 in the lighthouse district, including live music, festive performers and the traditional lighting of the menorah. Visit https://www.seaportvillage.com/events/hanukkah-25

To submit a community holiday event, email linda.mcintosh@sduniontribune.com.