Hanukkah Guide for Metro Detroit Families

Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights that commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple, kicks off at sundown on Dec. 7. 

If you’re looking for ways to kick your traditional festivities into high gear, our Hanukkah family guide includes fun crafts, recipes and even a few events and activity ideas.

Local Hanukkah events

These local celebrations are great for sharing the holiday joy with your community. 

Menorah in the D

Dec. 7, 2023

• Address: Campus Martius Park, 800 Woodward Ave., Detroit
• Cost: Free

This annual event features a fire show, complimentary soup, snacks and cider, crafts, games, greetings with community leaders and the lighting of the giant menorah. RSVP required.

Share the Light Community-Wide Chanukah Celebration

Dec. 10, 2023

• Address: Congregation Shaarey Zedek, 27375 Bell Road, Southfield
• Cost: $8/single ticket, $18/family ticket (includes 2 adults and children)

Enjoy a Chanukah celebration with activities for kids, games, arts and crafts, face painting, circus entertainment, giveaways and more.

Chanukah Mission to the Moonbeams

Dec. 11, 2023

• Address: Aish Detroit, 25725 Coolidge Hwy., Oak Park
• Cost: $18/adult $10/child

Enjoy a delicious Chanukah dinner and games. Then take a bus to Beaumont Hospital for the mitzvah of bikur cholim bringing light and joy to the young patients.

Chanukah Celebration

Dec. 12, 2023

• Address: Chabad Jewish Center of Commerce/Walled Lake, 810 Sleeth Road, Commerce Charter Township
• Cost: Free admission

Food

A traditional Hanukkah celebration wouldn’t be complete without brisket, latkes, kugel and more. While many families might have recipes handed down generation to generation, this year offers a great chance for families to mix up their Hanukkah menus a bit. Here are a few ideas for inspiration.

• Festive Hanukkah Food: This roundup includes six recipes for fluffy Matzah balls, twice-baked beef brisket Sufganiyot and more! 
• Diverse Holiday Treat Ideas for Families to Make Together: Find recipes from fruit Menorahs to carrot parsnip Latkes and everything in between — plus Christmas, Divali and Kwanzaa recipes, too. 

Hanukkah activities 

Menorah lightings with your families and special prayers are a must for this holiday, but there’s lots of fun activities you can do beyond that, too. 

• Hanukkah Crafts for Kids: Gather a few simple supplies and you’re on your way to make a yarn-wrapped hurricane Chanukah centerpiece, an Altoids tin Menorah and more. 
• Hanukkah Holiday Craft Ideas for Kids and Families to Make: Happy Hanukkah wall art, sun catchers and a clothespin Menorah are some of the fun ideas on this craft list.
• Eight Exciting Hanukkah Gifts for Kids: Along with the eight days of celebrating comes eight days of gifts and if you’re stumped on what to get your kiddos this season, we suggest these eight festive gift ideas. 

Happy Hanukkah!

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