8 Portland-Area Chanukah Events

Latkes and dreidels and menorahs, oh my! Chanukah kicks off Thursday, December 7. Here are eight family-friendly events around the Portland area that celebrate the Festival of Lights — one event for every day of Chanukah! Bundle up, bring your appetite and get ready to support local organizations. Even better? These festive happenings are free! Happy Chanukah, wherever you choose to celebrate this year!

Portland’s Public Menorah at Pioneer Courthouse Square

Portland’s Public Menorah at Pioneer Courthouse Square
Chabad of Oregon will light Portland’s Public Hanukkah menorah at Pioneer Courthouse Square. For the first time, this year, organizers aim to have 1,800 attendees, lighting 1,800 Chanukah candles and joining together to sing, “Maoz Tzur Yeshuati,” or “O mighty stronghold of my salvation.” There will also be live music, tasty foods, dignitaries and festivities to kick off the eight nights of Chanukah.
Where: Pioneer Courthouse Square
When: December 7-15, 5 pm
Cost: Free

Lighting + Latkes

Lighting + Latkes
You can’t celebrate Chanukah without latkes! Nosh on these tasty fried potato cakes at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center (available for purchase from the center’s cafe). Plus, play games, listen to music and of course, watch the menorah being lit.
Where: Mittleman Jewish Community Center
When: December 14, 5 – 6:30 pm
Cost: Free

Sandy Chanukah Celebration

Sandy Chanukah Celebration
Hosted by the Gresham Chabad Jewish Center, don’t miss the community menorah lighting in Sandy. There will also be music, spirit doughnuts and gelt, plus dreidel spinning.
Where: Centennial Plaza, 39295 Pioneer Blvd.
When: December 12, 5:30 pm
Cost: Free

Gresham Outdoor Giant Menorah Lighting

Gresham Outdoor Giant Menorah Lighting
Watch as a 15-foot tall community menorah is lit in Gresham. The festivities kick off on Sunday. In addition to doughnuts, gelt and music, there will also be a fire juggling performance!
Where: Gresham Arts Plaza, 401 NE 2nd St.
When: Sunday, December 10, 4 – 6 pm
Cost: Free

Menorah Lighting in Vancouver

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 19-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. And be sure to bring some canned goods. They’ll be used to make a canorah (a menorah made out of cans), and then donated to the Clark County Food Bank.
Where: Esther Short Park, 605 Esther St., Vancouver WA
When: Thursday, December 7, 5:30 pm
Cost: Free

Light Up Hillsboro

Light Up Hillsboro
Hillsboro families fear not! Head to the Jerry Willey Plaza at Orenco Station for a community menorah lighting with good food, festive music and more.
Where: Jerry Willey Plaza, 943 NE Orenco Station Loop
When: Thursday, December 7, 4:45 pm
Cost: Free

Shine Your Light: Chanukah Celebration in Lake Oswego

Shine Your Light: Chanukah Celebration in Lake Oswego
Head to Millennium Plaza Park in Lake Oswego to watch the community menorah being lit. This year, there will also be graffiti and airbrush artists. Don’t miss the latke bar, jelly donuts, candy gelt and live music.
Where: Millenium Plaza Park, 200 1st St., Lake Oswego
When: Sunday, Dec. 10, 5 pm
Cost: Free

Hanukkah Story Hour

Hanukkah Story Hour
The Eastside Jewish Commons will host a story hour with renowned childnren’s book author Eric Kimmel. He’ll read to holiday classics: Hanukkah Bear, and Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins.
Where: Eastside Jewish Commons, 2420 NE Sandy Blvd.
When: Thursday, Dec. 14, 11 am – 12:30 pm
Cost: Free admission