12 Chanukah Events in Portland

Looking for a fun way to celebrate Chanukah this year? Check out these local events in and near Portland to celebrate the Festival of Lights. Happy Chanukah, wherever you choose to celebrate this year!

Mittleman Jewish Community Center Chanukah Fair
Get a jumpstart on your gift giving during this weeklong Chanukah craft fair and marketplace at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center.
Where: Mittleman Jewish Community Center, 6651 SW Capitol Highway
When: Monday, Dec. 5-Tuesday, Dec. 6: 9 am-7:30 pm; Wednesday, Dec. 7-Thursday, Dec. 8: 9 am-5 pm; Friday, Dec. 9: 9 am-3 pm
Cost: Free admission

Portland’s Public Menorah at Pioneer Courthouse Square
Chabad of Oregon will light Portland’s Public Hanukkah menorah at Pioneer Courthouse Square. On the first night, Sunday, December 18, there will be live music, Chanukah foods, dignitaries and festivities to kick off the eight nights of Chanukah.
Where: Pioneer Courthouse Square
When: December 18-25, 4 – 6 pm
Cost: Free

Gresham Outdoor Giant Menorah Lighting
Gresham Chabad Jewish Center will again host a Chanukah celebration, including menorah lighting, festive Chanukah music, candy gelt and donuts. Plus, the center is hosting a can food drive for local food pantries. Bring a canned good or two; during the celebration, center staff will use cans to make a canorah (a menorah made of cans!) All canned food will then be donated.
Where: Gresham Arts Plaza, 401 NE 2nd St.
When: Sunday, December 18, 4:30 pm
Cost: Free

Community Menorah Lighting in Wood Village
Chabad of Oregon will also be celebrating the Festival of Lights in Wood Village. (Scott Harden, the mayor of Wood Village will also be in attendance to kick off the community menorah lighting.) There’s plenty of sweets, too, including chocolate gelt and donuts, plus live music.
Where: Wood Village City Hall and Civic Center, 24200 NE Halsey St.
When: Monday, December 19, 5:30 pm
Cost: Free

Grand Menorah Lighting in Vancouver
If you’re in the Vancouver area, don’t miss the Clark County Community Chanukah Celebration. In addition to the lighting of the 18-foot tall grand menorah, there will also be a dreidel drop (catch the spinning tops as they rain down in the square!), hot cocoa and donuts, plus, live music and an LED light circus demonstration.
Where: Esther Short Park, 610 Esther St., Vancouver WA
When: Sunday, December 18, 4:30 pm
Cost: Free

Grand Menorah Lighting in the Pearl District
Celebrate Chanukah with Chabad Northwest Portland during its annual public menorah lighting in the Pearl. There will also be live music, tasty sweets, dreidels and a free, take-home menorah kit for families to light the candles at home.
Where: Tanner Springs Park, NW 10th Ave. & Marshall St.
When: Sunday, Dec. 18, 4:30 pm
Cost: Free

Fire and Ice: Chanukah Celebration in Lake Oswego
This is no regular community menorah lighting! Head to Millennium Plaza Park in Lake Oswego to watch a giant menorah being carved out of ice. While the menorah may be frozen, there’s plenty of treats to keep the family warm, including a latke bar, jelly donuts, candy gelt, live music, and special crafts just for the kids.
Where: Millenium Plaza Park, 200 1st St., Lake Oswego
When: Sunday, Dec. 18, 5 pm
Cost: Free

Jewish Makers Market at Books with Pictures
Visit the Southeast comic book shop for the second annual Jewish Makers Market. Families can find art, candles, ceramics and more, perfect for eight nights of giving!
Where: Books With Pictures, 1401 SE Division St.
When: Saturday, Dec. 17, 12-4 pm
Cost: Free admission

DIY Steel Dreidel Making Class and Chanukah Celebration
Create a beautiful, four-sided piece of steel art for your family, friends, or just for you this holiday season. During this 1.5-hour long class, families learn how to clean and paint metal. Plus, special Chanukah foods will also be available!
Where: Standard Steel, 1745 NE Columbia Blvd.
When: Saturday, Dec. 17; choose from two sessions: 10-11:30 am or 12:30-2 pm
Cost: $36 per kit

Menorah Workshop at the Tigard Home Depot
Does your family need a new menorah? Or just wanted to get crafty this season? Head to the Home Depot in Tigard where participants can learn to make their own wood menorah. Participants can also enjoy Chanukah treats and even get a one of the hardware store’s classic orange aprons.
When: Sunday, Dec. 11, 11 am-12:30 pm
Where: Tigard Home Depot, 14800 SW Sequoia Parkway, Tigard
Cost: Free

Lighting and Latkes Celebration
It’s not Chanukah without latkes! Enjoy arts and crafts, dreidels, story time, singing, and the delicious fried potato pancake at this family-friendly celebration. 
Where: Mittleman Jewish Community Center, 6651 SW Capitol Highway
When: Wednesday, December 21, 5 pm
Cost: Free

Hanukkah Food Pop-Up
Celebrate all the delicious foods of Chanukah at this pop-up food event at the Eastside Jewish Commons. Local vendors will be selling goodies like bagels, oil, wine and much more.
Where: Eastside Jewish Commons, 2420 NE Sandy Blvd.
When: Saturday, Dec. 18, 11 am-2 pm
Cost: Free admission