JCC Chicago Hosts '8 Nights Of Hanukkah' Events In Chicago, Suburbs

CHICAGO — For the third year in a row, Jewish Community Centers Chicago is hosting nightly candle lightings and events for children and adults across Chicagoland as part of the 8 Nights of Hanukkah celebration.

The eight nights of mostly free events in Chicago and the suburbs include in-person and virtual programming aimed at families, teens, young professionals and adults.

Registration is available online and all are welcome.

The first night, Dec. 18, begins at Gallagher Way, outside Wrigley Field at 3635 N. Clark St. in Chicago, with events from 3 to 6 p.m. Events include ice skating inside at the Winterland outdoor rink, live music, Hanukkah games and giveaways.

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On the second night, Dec. 19, JCC Chicago Early Childhood is set to host a virtual event from 5:30-6 p.m. with a remote singalong and candle lighting.

On Dec. 20, events for Hanukkah's third night include an ice cream social from 4 to 6 p.m. at Graeter's Ice Cream, 1347 Shermer Road, Northbrook, with ‘Z’ Frank Apachi Day Camp. A Festival of Lights Party at Elaine Frank Day Camp at 23280 N. Old McHenry Road, Lake Zurich, from 5 to 6 p.m., and an ice cream social with Apachi Evanston from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at The Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream, 4041 Dempster St., Skokie.

The fourth night of celebrations includes a bonfire, s'mores, cookie decorations and dreidel competitions at The Revere, a space aimed at high schoolers, at Bernard Weigner JCC, 300 Revere Drive in Northbrook on Dec. 21.

On Dec. 22, the Latkes, Libations and Lo-mein fifth night event at the Bernard Weinger JCC that includes live music, games and Chinese food. There is a $5 per person fee for the event, which runs from 6 to 8 p.m. and is aimed at young adults under 40.

The sixth night event is aimed at families, with dreidel competitions, arcade and lawn games, snacks, cookie decorating and arts and crafts at Bernard Weigner JCC from 4 to 6 p.m. on Dec. 23.

On Dec. 24, the JCC Chicago Jewish Film Festival is offering a virtual, at-home screening of the film “Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas,” the 2017 documentary profiling the Jewish songwriters who wrote many classic Christmas standards.

From 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. on Dec. 25, families are invited to a Hanukkah story read over Zoom by JCC Chicago Family Engagement Manager Matthew Charnay after lighting the final candle on the Hanukkah menorah.

JCC Chicago's Camp Chi is is also hosting its annual Hanukkah toy drive benefiting Toys for Tots.

Donations of new and unwrapped toys and books are being accepted through Dec. 15 at the Bernard Weinger JCC, 300 Revere Drive in Northbrook, the Florence G. Heller JCC, 524 W. Melrose St. in Chicago, or at the Jacob Duman Early Childhood Center at Lake County JCC, 23280 N. Old McHenry Road in Lake Zurich.