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Weekday Fun: Hanukkah Celebrations, Star Wars, Greenwich Tree Lighting
Sunday marks the first night of Hanukkah and there's no shortage of ways to celebrate the Festival of Lights in New York City this week. Take to the ice for Chanukah on Ice, check out olive pressing workshops for families or view the nightly lightings of World's Largest Menorahs in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Other highlights for the week of December 7-11 include the opening night of Dance Patrelle's Yorkville Nutcracker, a music-filled Christmas tree lighting in Greenwich Village and a FREE screening of Return of the Jedi.
Looking for fun ways to get in the holiday spirit? If you haven't gotten your Christmas tree street-side yet, how about a day trip to a local tree farm to cut your own? Or perhaps a cozy Polar Express Santa train ride with the kids. If you're already feeling a touch of holiday overload, the science spectacular that has nothing to do with the season, That Physics Show, is in town.
Find more family activities in our Event Calendar, Holiday Fun Guide and newly minted December GoList.
Our best wishes for a happy Hanukkah!
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Celebrate the second night of Chanukah at Wollman Rink when this hand-carved ice menorah will be illuminated. Photo courtesy of Chanukah on Ice.
Monday, December 7
Chanukah on Ice – Central Park
Celebrate the Festival of Lights with a spin on the ice at Wollman Rink. Skate to live Jewish music played by Ta Shma Orchestra, nosh on kosher food and watch as the giant hard-carved ice menorah is lit for the second night of Chanukah.
Tuesday, December 8
Olive Pressing Workshop – Crown Heights
This Hanukkah workshop teaches kids how to extract oil from an olive using old-fashioned techniques at the interactive Jewish Children's Museum. Light the menorah with your oil and suddenly you and the kids will discover just what a miracle it was that the oil lasted for eight days! The workshop happens Sunday-Thursday during Chanukah. Free with paid admission.
Wednesday, December 9
Washington Square Park Christmas Tree Lighting – Greenwich Village
Join the Rob Susman Brass Quartet for sing-along carols and holiday songs (complimentary songbooks are provided) as Santa Claus illuminates the 45-foot-tall tree under the Washington Square Arch.
Thursday, December 10
Yorkville Nutcracker – Upper East Side
It's opening night for the 20th Season of the Dances Patrelle's Yorkville Nutcracker. The production is set in New York City in 1895 and scenes take place in iconic locales such as Gracie Mansion, Central Park and the New York Botanical Garden.
Friday, December 11
Return of the Jedi Screening – Prospect Heights
Get ready for the new Star Wars flick, The Force Awakens, by catching a FREE screening of Return of the Jedi at the Central Branch of the Brooklyn Library. FREE
Find even more FREE and low-cost kid activities in our Event Calendar.
Top Image: Kids learning traditional olive oil extraction techniques at the Jewish Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum.
