Where to celebrate Hanukkah around Portland
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Jewish people have long kept a tradition of public menorah lightings.
That tradition continues around Portland this season — along with music, dancing, and markets. Find an event below.
Pro tip: Look for menorahs in peoples' windows if you're out for an evening stroll — or put your own in the window, even if you're not Jewish.
- Project Menorah is encouraging menorah displays as a way to fight rising anti-semitism.
Menorah Lighting in Pioneer Courthouse Square
See Portland's giant menorah, light your own candle and sing with the crowd. Thursday, 5pm-6pm, and every night of Hanukkah through Dec. 14. Free.
Vancouver's Grand Chanukah Celebration
Bring canned food to donate and help build a "canorah" after the big public menorah is lit. Chocolate coins and an LED dance show. Thursday, 5:30pm at Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver. Free.
Light Up Hillsboro
Latkes, doughnuts, and a fire show at Hillsboro's menorah lighting. Thursday, 4:45pm, Orenco Plaza. Free.
- Other free public menorah lightings, with music, performances and food, are happening on different evenings throughout the holiday week, including in Gresham, Wood Village, and Sandy — all put on by Gresham Chabad Jewish Center — and in Lake Oswego and Tigard.
S'mores and Hanukkah Sing-a-long
Go back to summer camp with Hanukkah songs and marshmallow roasting around the fire pits at Leikam Brewing, 5812 E. Burnside. Thursday, 6pm. Free, RSVP is for required.
- Check out Leikam's whole Hanukkah pop-up calendar, including a holiday book swap and Hanukkah trivia with drag artist Poly Poptart. Evening events may be for adults only.
Hanukkah Night Market
Dance, nosh and shop — and get an oracle reading. Vendors include Blackbird Wine, Kachka, Mother's Bistro, Henry Higgins Boiled Bagels and more. A children's play center provided by BB Camp. Eastside Jewish Commons, 2420 NE Sandy. Saturday, 5pm-9m. Free.
Let It Glow Chanukah Festival
Games, crafts and cookies kick off this celebration, followed by candle lighting, dinner and a dance party. Wear your glow-in-the-dark gear. Neveh Shalom, 2900 SW Peaceful Lane, Saturday, 4pm-8pm. Free
Chanukah Extravaganza
Make an edible dreidel, get your hands on an olive oil press, eat latkes and keep going back to the doughnut buffet at a family party at Vancouver's Chabad Jewish Center. Sunday, 4pm. $18 per family.
Sweet Lorraine's Hanukkah Party
The local bakery Sweet Lorraine's puts out a holiday spread in their new pop-up space, plus music and games. Labyrinth Forge Brewery, 61 SE Yamhill St. Sunday, 5pm-8pm. Free.