The season to light up your nights is here—Hanukkah begins at sundown on December 14, and Kwanzaa begins on December 26—with plenty of ways to celebrate all season long. Observe the seven principles of Kwanzaa at the Kwanzaa Community Celebration in Montclair, spend the night at a silent disco filled with tons of Hanukkah fun at the Hanukkah Silent Disco Party in Scotch Plains, or skate the night away at Chanukah on Ice in Mt Laurel. And to pick up those special gifts, check out the winter markets in NJ. (featured photo credit: istock/MichaelHeimlich)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events)
Jersey City Lighting
December 2 at 5:30 PM
The Historic Downtown Special Improvement District will combine a Menorah and a Christmas Tree Lighting. Don’t miss the hot chocolate and cookies.
Cost: Free
Newark Avenue Pedestrian Mall, 134-158 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Hanukkurious – Learn About The Festival of Lights
December 7 at 10 AM
Want to learn more about the history of Hanukkah? Head to this fun event featuring delicious food, games, and more, so you can leave with a new understanding of this beautiful holiday.
Cost: Free
JCC of Central NJ, 1391 Martine Avenue, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
Harambee Breakfast & Kwanzaa Celebration
December 13 at 10 AM
Feast on breakfast and learn more about Kwanzaa and the unique traditions that reinforce seven fundamental values of African culture, which contribute to building and supporting family, community, and culture among African American people and Africans worldwide.
Cost: $15 and up
The Renaissance, 1110 Valley Road, Ocean, NJ 07712
2025 Kwanzaa Celebration
December 13 at 12 PM
Head to the Vauxhall Branch Library for an afternoon of Kwanzaa celebrations, featuring live entertainment, African dance, African drums, storytelling, and more.
Cost: Free
Vauxhall Branch of the Union Public Library, 123 Hilton Avenue, Vauxhall, NJ 07088
Car Menorah Parade and Light Up The Night Celebration
December 14 at 4 PM
The parade will be led by a car-top Menorah and a giant Dreidel truck, with a police escort through the streets of Cherry Hill. There will also be a menorah music truck, classic and antique cars, and first responder vehicles. The parade route finishes at the Barclay Farms Shopping Center, with glow fun, a giant Dreidel truck, a fire juggler, latkes, donuts, and gelt for all ages.
Cost: Free
1925 Kresson Road to the Barclay Center, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
Spectacular Drone Light Show
December 14 at 4:30 PM
Celebrate the first night of Chanukah at this awesome drone light show that is bigger and better than ever this year. There will also be a menorah lighting, a fire juggling show, and latkes and donuts.
Cost: Free
Lifetown, 10 Microlab Road, Livingston, NJ 07039
Ventnor City Menorah Lighting
December 15 at 5 PM
This South Jersey menorah lighting on the second night of Hanukkah will take place on the Sacramento side of Ventnor City Hall.
Cost: Free
6201 Atlantic Avenue, Ventnor City, NJ 08406
The Morristown Chanukah Experience
December 15 at 4:30 PM
Come light up the night with this festive event featuring a big LEGO build, donuts and hot drinks, Chanukah-themed crafts, a strolling magician, and the grand LEGO menorah lighting.
Cost: Free
Pioneer Park at HQ Plaza, Speedwell Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960
Palmer Square Annual Menorah Lighting
December 16 at 4:30 PM
Bring the whole family to Palmer Square for the annual lighting of the menorah. There will be music and fun for all.
Cost: Free
Nassau Inn Patio, 10 Palmer Square, Princeton, NJ 08542
Bergen County Menorah Lighting Ceremony
December 16 at 12 PM
Celebrate the Festival of Lights as a community at this event, featuring the lighting of the menorah, which will stay lit through the holiday.
Cost: Free
One Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack, NJ 07601
Community Kwanzaa Celebration
December 18 at 4 PM
Come out to celebrate Kwanzaa at the Performing Arts Center, where everyone can learn all about the seven principles of Kwanzaa, hosted by the NAACP New Brunswick Area Branch.
Cost: Free
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08903
Chanukah on Ice
December 20 at 7:30 PM
Head to Igloo Ice Rink in Mt. Laurel for a night of Hanukkah-themed fun. People of all ages can enjoy gelt, the giant menorah lighting, festive music, and refreshments. Admission includes doughnuts, a skate rental, and drinks.
Cost: $15 at the door
3033 Fostertown Road, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054
Kwanzaa at New Jersey Performing Arts Center
December 20 at 1 PM
Bring the whole family to the Kwanzaa Festival, featuring dance classes, storytelling, face painting, a Kwanzaa candlelighting ceremony, live performances, and traditional foods. Then, pick up some gifts at the Kwanzaa Festival and Marketplace, which opens at 1 PM.
Cost: Free
1 Center Street, Newark, NJ 07102
Hanukkah Hoopla
December 21 at 3 PM
Bring your menorah for community lighting and enjoy dancing, latkes, gelt, crafts, and dreidel play.
Cost: $5 per family
Hanover Township Community Center, 15 North Jefferson Road, Whippany, NJ 07981
Collingswood Menorah Lighting
December 26
Join the community for a Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Celebration at the Lumberyard Garden (Collings and North Atlantic Avenues). The evening of fun for the whole family includes music, latkes, donuts, dreidels, and choco-gelt.
Cost: Free
Collingswood, NJ 08108
9th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration
December 30 at 3 PM
Come to this annual event and celebrate the beauty of Kwanzaa. This year, the focus of the event is on applying the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa to everyday life and will include a special candlelight ceremony, arts and crafts, and a musical performance.
Cost: Free
Newark Public Library, 5 Washington Street, Newark, NJ 07102
Want the inside scoop? Sign up for the NJMOM bi-weekly newsletter to get the lowdown on everything for your family in NJ (think of it as the ultimate cheat sheet for NJ Moms). And don’t forget to tag your photos #NJMOM and @njmom for a chance to be featured.
