A guide to Hanukkah celebrations taking place in San Diego County

Rabbi Yossi Tiefenbrun lights the menorah candle at a previous Hanukkah celebration

Celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah include the lighting of menorahs and festive music in San Diego, Carlsbad, Escondido, Poway, Oceanside and Carmel Valley

San Diego Union-Tribune

Dec. 8, 2022 2:11 PM PT

Hanukkah celebrations begin at sundown Dec. 18. The Jewish festival, sometimes called the Festival of Lights, marks the recovery 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 lasting eight days. Candles are lighted each night in a holder called a menorah. Here are some celebrations taking place in the community:

CARLSBAD

Hanukkah celebration: Chabad La Costa hosts a lighting of the menorah from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Dec. 21 with children’s games and free refreshments at The Forum Carlsbad, 1923 Calle Barcelona, in the courtyard between Chico’s and White House Black Market. Visit theforumcarlsbad.com.

CARMEL VALLEY

One Paseo celebration: The Chabad Jewish Center of Rancho Santa Fe and Rabbi Levi Raskin lead a free celebration that also includes live music and kosher bites. The ceremony is from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 22 at One Paseo, 3725 Paseo Place.

ESCONDIDO

Grand Menorah Lighting: The Hanukkah celebration is at 5 p.m. Dec. 22 at the Westfield North County mall, 272 E. Via Rancho Parkway, on the second floor, indoors in front of Macy’s with holiday treats and crafts for kids. Admission is free. RSVP at chabadpoway.com/chanukah.

OCEANSIDE

Menorah Lighting Ceremony: Chabad of Oceanside/Vista hosts a Menorah Lighting at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 18 with music, doughnuts and latkes, gelt drop and fire circus act at Regal Cinema Plaza, 401 Mission Ave. Children will receive a light-up dreidel necklace.

POWAY

Hanukkah Train and Community Celebration: A celebration of the first night of Hanukkah is at 4 p.m. Dec. 18 at Old Poway Park,14134 Midland Road. Highlights include hot latkes, doughnuts, dreidel giveaways, chocolate coins, children’s crafts and face painting. Admission is free. RSVP at chabadpoway.com/train.

Pre-Hanukkah Funzone: A pre-Hanukkah Funzone with games, karaoke, a Hanukkah performance, inflatables and more is set for 4:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at Chabad of Poway, 16934 Chabad Way. Dinner for purchase, $10/kid (pay at the door).

SAN DIEGO

Hanukkah and Menorah Lighting: Liberty Station and the Chabads of Downtown San Diego and Pacific Beach host a free community menorah lighting at 5 p.m. Dec. 18 with live music and entertainment at Liberty Station’s Central Promenade to commemorate the first night of Hanukkah. Liberty Station is at 2875 Dewey Road.

Hanukkah celebration: Chabad of LaJolla hosts a free Hanukkah celebration with live music, menorah lighting, latkes, doughnuts, dreidels, holiday gifts and more 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21 at La Valencia Hotel, 1132 Prospect St, La Jolla.

Menorah Lighting: Seaport Village hosts a free menorah lighting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at 849 W. Harbor Drive. This celebration of lights is held in partnership with The Chabads of Downtown San Diego to commemorate the third night of Hanukkah. The event includes family-friendly festivities and music. Call (619) 235-4014.

Please send items to laura.groch@sduniontribune.com or linda.mcintosh@sduniontribune.com.

Events

Laura Groch

Laura Groch has been a newspaper reporter and editor for her entire career, serving longest at the Escondido, CA-based North County Times, where she was the features editor and a food columnist. She is now a Community News reporter in the North County bureau of The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Linda McIntosh

Linda McIntosh used to lead a double life as a technical writer for an engineering company and a feature writer for the Chicago Tribune. Since joining the U-T in 2002, she has focused on writing North County community features and calendars. She also covers community news at Camp Pendleton. Linda has a master’s degree in English from the University of Chicago.