Celebrate Hanukkah With Menorah Lighting, Parade, Bowling, Gelt Drop

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — This year marks only the fifth time since 1900 that Hanukkah started on Christmas Day. Hanukkah runs from Dec. 25, 2024, through Jan. 2, 2025, and will be celebrated in Howard County at different events.

Hanukkah is Judaism’s festival of lights. On eight consecutive nightfalls, Jewish family and friends gather to light one additional candle in the menorah.

Below are events being held during Hanukkah to celebrate the holiday:

Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024
Car Menorah Parade leaves from the River Hill Chanukah House at 5:30 p.m. and arrives at the River Hill Giant Menorah Lighting.

Public Menorah Lighting at River Hill Village Center, 6050 Daybreak Circle, Clarksville, at 6:30 p.m. will include a giant menorah, music, donuts, gifts and more.

Jewish Young Professionals Chanukah Strikes 2.0 at Premier Bowling is a night of glow-in-the-dark fun, friends and festivities starting at 8 p.m. Includes latkes, donuts, dreidel competition and menorah lighting.

Friday, Dec. 27, 2024
Public Menorah Lighting at the log cabin in Ellicott City, 8358 Frederick Road, starting at noon.

Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024
Chanukah Celebration at Turf Valley Town Square with a public menorah lighting starting at 6:40 p.m., 11075 Resort Rd., Ellicott City.

Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024
Chanukah on Ice at 4 p.m. at Color Burst Park, 6000 Merriweather Drive, Columbia.

Chanukah Latka Party at 7 p.m. at Lubavitch Center of Howard County, 770 Howes Lane, Columbia.

Monday, Dec. 30, 2024
Menorah Lighting at Gary Arthur Community Center starting at noon. The center is located at 2400 MD-97, Cooksville.

Menorah Lighting at Dorsey Search at 6 p.m. at 4765 Dorsey Hall Drive in Ellicott City.

Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025
The Great Gelt Drop at 5 p.m. at the outdoor amphitheater at Emancipation Park, 507 7th St., Laurel.