This year, Chanukah (aka the Festival of Lights) begins at sundown on Sunday, December 6. In Columbia, there are almost as many celebrations as there are ways to spell Chanukah! And you don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy them!
Build Your Own Menorah
Date: Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015
Time: 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Location: The Home Depot, 7701 Two Notch Road, Columbia 29223
Cost: FREE
Details: Children of all ages will receive a free worker’s apron to build their own menorah. Music and refreshments will be provided. Parents must accompany children. To RSVP and for more information, email [email protected].
Fire Truck Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Party
Date: Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015
Time: Menorah Lighting at 5:00 pm; Dinner at 5:30 pm; Magic Show at 6:00 pm
Location: The Chabad-Aleph House, 2509 Decker Blvd., Columbia 29206
Cost: $8 per adult and $5 per child OR $25 per family
Details: The menorah at the Chabad-Aleph House is so large that they need a fire truck to light it! Enjoy dinner, including latkes and donuts, before Sarahdipiddy performs a magic show. The night will also feature special children’s treats, video and music, and cool poster drawings.
Light the Night Car Menorah Parade
Date: Monday, Dec. 7, 2015
Time: 5:00 – 5:30 pm
Location: Streets between Cutler Jewish Day School, 5827 North Trenholm Rd. and the South Carolina State House
Cost: FREE
Details: Watch as 30 cars decorated with the Chanukah spirit parade via police escort from the Cutler Jewish Day School to the SC State House, where the Annual State House Menorah Lighting will commence at 5:45 pm.
Annual State House Menorah Lighting
Date: Monday, Dec. 7, 2015
Time: 5:45 pm
Location: South Carolina State House, 1100 Gervais Street, Columbia 29201
Cost: FREE
Details: Honoring SC first responders, including fallen Forest Acres Police Officer Greg Alia, the grand menorah will be lit at the State House. The lighting will be followed by live music, dancing, latkes, dreidels, and gift bags.
Hanukkah at Harbison
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015
Time: 5:00 pm
Location: Harbison Community Center, 106 Hillpine Road, Columbia 29212
Cost: FREE
Details: Celebrate the Festival of Lights with latkes, jelly doughnuts, hot cocoa, dreidel, and friends! Sponsored by the Katie and Irwin Kahn Jewish Community Center and PJ Library of the Columbia Jewish Federation, enjoy songs, crafts, food and a group menorah lighting. Bring your menorah and four candles to participate in the group menorah lighting at 5:15 pm. Columbia SC Moms Blog is excited to be part of this celebration, so be sure to come see us for some free gelt (chocolate coins)!
Vodka & Latkes – and Jazz, too!
Date: Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015
Time: 7:30 pm
Location: Katie & Irwin Kahn Jewish Community Center, 306 Flora Drive, Columbia 29223
Cost: $10 JCC Members / $20 general community
Details: Enjoy a fun evening with a Vodka & Latkes Chanukah celebration, snacks, beverages, drawings for JCC apparel and great jazz music from world renowned Israeli Jazz artist, Amos Hoffman, and his band, in conjunction with his newest CD release, “Back to the City.” RSVP by calling 787-2023, emailing [email protected], or purchasing your ticket at the JCC.
Hanukkah Story Time
Date: Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Location: Barnes & Noble, Richland Fashion Mall, 3400 Forest Drive, Columbia 29204
Cost: FREE
Details: End the Festival of Lights with a special Storytime as friends from the Jewish community read Simon and the Bear: A Hanukkah Tale, followed by fun activities.
Lights, Cocoa & Sufganiyot
Date: Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015
Time: 5:00 pm
Location: Katie & Irwin Kahn Jewish Community Center, 306 Flora Drive, Columbia 29223
Cost: FREE
Details: Join friends for jelly doughnuts, fresh fried latkes, and hot cocoa to celebrate the end of Chanukah. The giant JCC menorah will be lit at 5:15 pm; bring your smaller menorah and candles if you’d like! Be sure to RSVP prior to the event. Columbia SC Moms Blog is excited to be part of this celebration, so be sure to come see us for some free gelt (chocolate coins)!
