Celebrate Hanukkah in Charlotte with these menorah lightings, meals and a concert
Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish celebration also known as the Festival of Lights, lasts from sundown on Thursday, Dec. 7 through Friday, Dec. 15. And for those days and festive nights, you’re going to need something to eat and events to gather for celebrations.
The holiday — also spelled Chanukah — marks the Maccabees’ uprising against the Syrian Greek army and the miracle that followed. Just enough oil was found to illuminate the menorah, or lamp, in the newly rededicated Holy Temple in Jerusalem for one day, but it lasted for eight full days.
Traditional foods eaten during the Jewish celebration the include challah, brisket, latkes, rugalach and sufganiyot (which are jelly-filled doughnuts).
In the Charlotte area, there are several events planned, as well as places making food for the holiday.
Charlotte Hanukkah events in 2023
Celebrate the holiday with these gatherings in the Charlotte area:
Chanukah at Chabad Center for Jewish Life
Location: 6619 Sardis Road Charlotte, NC 28270
When: Dec. 7-15
Activities will continue throughout Hanukkah.
Price: Varies
Menorah Lighting at Birkdale Village
Location: Birkdale Village, Sam Furr Road and Birkdale Commons Parkway, Huntersville, NC 28078
When: Thursday, Dec. 7 at 5:30 p.m.
Light up the night in celebration of Hanukkah with Birkdale Village and Chabad of Lake Norman. Enjoy children’s crafts, doughnuts, latkes and gelt and more during a traditional Menorah lighting ceremony, hosted in The Grove.
Price: Free
Menorah lighting at StoneCrest
Location: StoneCrest Shopping Center’s Fountains Plaza, 7832 Rea Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
When: Thursday, Dec. 7 at 5:30 p.m.
The StoneCrest menorah lighting will include music, kids activities, latkes and donuts, plus goody bags with crafts.
Price: Free
Drinks + Dreidels 6.0
Location: Ink N Ivy, 222 S. Church St., Charlotte, NC 28202
When: Thursday, Dec. 7, 7-10:30 p.m.
Dress in cocktail attire and head to the Chabad Young Professionals of Uptown Charlotte and the Jewish Federation’s Drinks + Dreidels 6.0 event. It will feature an open bar and photo booth, a doughnut and latke bar, a menorah lighting and more.
Price: Tickets start at $34 per person, and sponsorship levels are available.
Congregational Chanukah Shabbat Dinner
Location: Temple Beth El, 5101 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28226
When: Friday, Dec. 8, 7:30-9 p.m.
After the 6 p.m. Chanukah Shabbat Evening Service, join Temple Beth El for a congregation-wide Chanukah celebration. Dinner will be baked chicken, veggies, latkes and doughnuts.
Price: $15 for adults and $10 for ages 3-12, but must RSVP by Dec. 4.
Clifford Hanukkah Family Breakfast
Location: Levine JCC Lerner Hall, 5007 Providence Road, Unit 220, Charlotte, NC 28226
When: Sunday, Dec. 10, 9:30-11 a.m.
The family breakfast will celebrate Hanukkah with book reading, crafts, breakfast and Clifford.
Price: $10
Southern Fried Chanukah
Location: Temple Beth El, 5101 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28226
When: Sunday, Dec. 10, 4:30-6 p.m.
Southern Fried Chanukah will feature latkes, fried chicken and traditional candle lighting and singing.
Price: $12 for adult members and $15 for non-members; $8 for child members and $0 for non-member children. Register by Wednesday, Dec. 6.
Chanukah Concert with Nissim Black
Location: Le Meridien Charlotte, 555 S McDowell St Tower, Charlotte, NC 28204
When: Sunday, Dec. 10, 6 p.m.
Nissim Black, an African-American convert to Orthodox Judaism formerly known as D. Black, offers storytelling and message-driven rap. The festivities begin with a menorah lighting ceremony, highlighting the core Chanukah themes of light triumphing over darkness and the holiday’s miraculous history.
Price: Adults are $36, and kids, teens and students are $18 for general admission. (Those who can’t pay can also contact Chabad of Charlotte for assistance.) Hot dog meals are available for pre-order. VIP admission for $100 per adult or $180 per couple is available with premium seating and a backstage pass.
Matthews Menorah Lighting
Location: Matthews Town Hall, 232 Matthews Station St., Matthews, NC 28105
When: Monday, Dec. 11, 5:30 p.m.
The menorah lighting ceremony by the town of Matthews will include kids’ activities.
Price: Free
Waxhaw Menorah Lighting
Location: East North Main Street at the Overhead Bridge
When: Tuesday, Dec. 12, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Ballantyne Jewish Center’s Waxhaw Menorah Lighting will include activities for the whole family, crafts, music and, of course, traditional Hanukkah doughnuts and latkes. Hot drinks will be available, too.
Price: Free
Hanukkah meals in 2023
Pre-order food for the holiday from this Charlotte business:
Kosher Charlotte
Location: 6619 Sardis Road, Charlotte, NC 28270
This kosher food service offers individual servings of options including bagels and lox, sandwiches, hummus bowls and salads, or deli platters for serving larger crowds.
Price: Prices vary, as items are a la carte. A bagel and lox box is $14 per person, or platters are available for 10+ people, starting at $160.
How to order: Order online
Deadline: Two hours’ notice is needed Monday-Thursday. Shabbat takeout orders are due Wednesday by midnight. Daily menu orders for Friday are due by Thursday midnight. Kosher Charlotte is closed Saturday and Sunday but is available for weekend catering events.
Pickup: Pickup or delivery is available.
Your Mom’s Donuts
Location: 11025 Monroe Rd, Matthews, NC 28105
Location: Park Road Shopping Center, 4205 Park Road Charlotte, NC 28209
The bakery — which is closed at both locations Mondays and Tuesdays — will offer raspberry sufganiyot throughout December for pre-orders and walk-in customers, although the treats sell out frequently.
Price: $4.50 each
Deadline: When you set it.
Pickup: When you set it. Delivery is also available.
