Happy Hanukkah, Chicago! Thanks to the vagaries of the Jewish lunar calendar, the Festival of Lights is upon us early this year, with the holiday beginning at sunset Wednesday night.
As most Jews know, the holiday isn’t of monumental religious significance — it celebrates a relatively minor miracle from the Book of Maccabees, which is in the non-canonical, relatively obscure Apocrypha of the Bible. But it has taken on cultural import, as a time for Jewish family and friends to gather, light the menorah, eat a delicious meal and celebrate the season together.
In that vein, The Local Tourist blog has created a guide to eight great Hanukkah events around the city. We’ve cherry-picked a few of the most exciting; for the complete list (including such gems as “Reading Under the (Jewish) Influence” and “Eight Bars of Chanukah”), visit The Local Tourist.
Screening of “Lights” in Pritzker Park
This Hanukkah children’s classic, voiced by Leonard Nimoy and Judd Hirsch, is the first in the city’s “Holiday Movies In The Park” series, which will have free showings of holiday flicks all month long.
When: Wednesday, Dec. 1, 5 p.m.
Where: Pritzker Park, State and Van Buren
Price: Free!
Chabad of Bucktown/Wicker Park is sponsoring this event at Nick’s Beer Garden. On Saturday night, the reasonable door charge will get you free food, a free drink, beer specials, and “Chanukah insanity,” according to the event’s website.
When: Saturday, December 4, 8:30 p.m.
Where: Nick’s Beer Garden, 1516 N. Milwaukee
Price: $16 at the door, $12 advance online
For the more family-minded crowd, this Sunday evening event at the Chicago Botanic Garden will feature a Hanukkah buffet, a performance by the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band, fun treats for kids, and admission to the CBG’s delightful Wonderland Express.
When: Sunday, December 5, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
Price: $38 adults, $32 children
Originally reported by Huffington Post Chicago. Read the original story here.