The first night of Hanukkah is on Sunday, Nov. 28, and there are several ways to get in on the celebration without straying far from your neighborhood. During the Festival of Lights, which runs through Dec. 6 this year, you can find local spins on sufganiyot, gathering places for menorah-lightings, and a few extras.
Order Hanukkah Essentials From Neighborhood Provisions
Saturday, Nov. 27 – Monday, Dec. 8
The online depot for make-at-home and prepared foods has an ample spread for any home celebration. Choose from whitefish dip ($12), matzo ball soup ($16), latkes ($18) and plenty of other staples. And don’t forget to add some drink pairings, including kosher wines. // Pick-up locations vary.
Snag Sufganiyot at Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken
Saturday, Nov. 27 – Wednesday, Dec. 15Â
Sufganiyot—decadent jelly doughnuts topped with powdered sugar that are traditionally eaten during Hanukkah—will be available for a limited time at Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken ($3.95 each). If you need a little more variety when it comes to your Hanukkah treats, try their Hanukkah mini box ($29) of ornately adorned, petite doughnuts, or their glazed Hanukkah cookies ($3.95 each). // Astro Doughnuts, 7511 Leesburg Pike #103, Falls Church
Stock Up on Sweets at Pastries by Randolph
Sunday, Nov. 28 – Monday, Dec. 6
They’ve got sufganiyot. They’ve got butter cookies. But have you tried Hanukkah bark? Munch on these shards of dark chocolate, topped with sprinkles ($8.50) or gift it to someone you love (if you can part with it). // 4500 Langston Blvd., Arlington
Catch a Giant Hanukkah Menorah Lighting in Clarendon
Tuesday, Nov. 30 | 6 p.m.
Gather with community members to watch the lighting of a 9-foot menorah. While you are there, you can nibble on holiday treats and move your feet to Hanukkah tunes—and don’t forget to grab gelt and dreidels for the road. // Free. Chabad Lubavitch of Alexandria-Arlington, 1307 N Highland St., Arlington
Lace Up Your Ice Skates
Thursday, Dec. 2 | 6-8 p.m.
Chabad Lubavitch of Alexandria-Arlington is hosting a Hanukkah evening on the ice. Take some laps around the outdoor rink, observe a menorah lighting, purchase a kosher dinner and enter a raffle at this frosty fest. // Admission $13, dinner ticket $5. Pentagon Row Outdoor Ice Skating, 1201 South Joyce St., Arlington
Light Up the Night at Mosaic
Sunday, Dec. 5 | 5-6 p.m.
Join the Pozez Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia for this community menorah lighting at Mosaic District. Bring the kiddos for Hanukkah music, dreidel-spinning and other activities. // Free. Mosaic District, Strawberry Park, 2910 District Ave., Fairfax
Have a Very Klezmer Hanukkah
Saturday, Dec. 11 | 7 p.m.
Stretch out your Hanukkah celebration a few extra days with some Klezmer tunes. Local clarinetist and Kleztet leader Seth Kibel brings the traditional Jewish music, as well as some jazz, to The Alden. // $15-$20. The Alden at the McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean
Read a Hanukkah Picture Book to Your Little One
Young-adult author and Arlingtonian Tammar Stein is back with a book for the tiniest of “readers.” In My Hanukkah Book of Opposites, Stein presents basic concepts to tots through Hanukkah scenes, illustrated by Juliana Perdomo. // $8.99, available for purchase on Amazon.