'Hanukkah Hoopla' Celebration Coming Soon To Westfield

WESTFIELD, NJ — Hanukkah officially begins the evening of Dec. 18, and Westfield is offering a "hoopla" of fun throughout the first week of the Jewish holiday.

Westfield's Hanukkah Hoopla will kick off with a menorah lighting at the North Side Train Station with Rabbi Block from the Union County Torah Center-Chabad on Sunday, Dec. 18.

The menorah lighting will begin at 4:30 p.m. Several stores in the downtown will also have menorahs on display.

Then on Monday, Dec. 19, a Hanukkah Booking Reading will be held at Memorial Library beginning at 6:30 p.m. This is part of the library's series of read-alouds focusing on the winter holidays. Each evening focuses on a particular holiday tradition.

Following the Hanukkah reading, there will be a Christmas reading on Wednesday, Dec. 21 and a Kwaanza reading on Wednesday, Dec. 28.

The celebrations continue with Hanukkah Chalk the Walk, where residents will have a chance to draw sidewalk art that celebrates elements of Hanukkah. The time is still to be decided, according to Downtown Westfield.

Residents will also have the opportunity to take photos with stuffed llama toys in the downtown and have a chance to win a Yiftee gift card on Dec. 21.

Lastly, on Friday, Dec. 23, Hanukkah Harry will be visiting Westfield and giving out Hanukkah gelt throughout the town after 12:30 p.m.

There will also be a Dreidel Contest starting at 2 p.m. at Kirshenbaum Baking Co. Gelt will be given to contestants of the Dreidel Contests and Downtown Westfield Gift Cards will be given to winners of each game.

You can follow Downtown Westfield on Facebook for more details on these upcoming events.

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