510families has partnered with our friends at PJ Library Bay Area to bring you everything you need to get ready for the Festival of Lights. Our Hanukkah Guide for East Bay kids includes recipes, book lists, gift ideas, activities, community events, child-friendly versions of the Hanukkah story, and much more.
Hanukkah begins the evening of Sunday, December 14, 2025 with the lighting of the first candle. The last candle is lit on Sunday, December 21, with Hanukkah ending the following night on Monday, December 22. Read on for local event listings!
At-Home Crafts | Kid-Friendly Hanukkah Outings & Events | Shopping and Food
PJ Library Celebration Guide to Gathering at Home
Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, brings joy and sparkle during a dark time of the year. Beginning on the 25th of the Jewish month of Kislev, which falls in December this year, Hanukkah is a time to eat delicious latkes (potato pancakes), play dreidel (a traditional game featuring a spinning top), enjoy gathering with family and friends — and, of course, light Hanukkah candles for eight nights on a hanukkiah or menorah.
Here’s a quick reference to some more favorite stories, songs, and tips from the PJ Library Hanukkah Hub:
- Listen: Hanukkah Music and Stories
- How To: All The Hanukkah How Tos Your Family Needs
- Recipes: Hanukkah Recipes From Around the World
- Activities: Easy Hanukkah Crafts To Make At Home
- Parent tips: Sharing Hanukkah at School
- Ideas: Gifts, recipes, and activities for each night of Hanukkah
- Sign up friends and family for FREE Jewish children’s books
At-home Hanukkah projects & crafts
- Create A Handprint Menorah Poster. Hanukkah is a holiday of light, and this shiny art project is a great way to bring a little more light in, and it makes an adorable handprint keepsake for parents.
- Make Hanukkah Stampers. Got some extra veggies left over from making latkes? Old sponges that need a second life? Use them to make stamps to decorate for Hanukkah.
- Upcycle Crayons Into Hanukkah Candles. Not sure what to do with all of those broken crayon ends? Turn them into fun candles to give out as holiday gifts.
Calendar of Kid-Friendly East Bay Hanukkah Events
Hanukkah Events beyond the 510
Menorahs & Miracles @ Children’s Discovery Museum, San Jose
Sunday, Dec. 7 @ 11 am-3 pm. Hannukah celebration with hands-on play was created in partnership with the JCC Los Gatos. Looks like tons of fun; kids make candles, watch a storytime, and make other art. Learn more >
180 Woz Way, San Jose, CA
Wornick Hanukkah Party with Isaac Zones in San Carlos
Sunday, December 14, at 10.30-11.30 am. Get ready for Hanukkah with themed activities and music with Isaac Zones at The Reading Bug! This event is co-sponsored by PJ Library. Please register here.
The Reading Bug, 785 Laurel St, San Carlos
Love You A Latke Hanukkah Party
Sunday, December 14, at 10.30-12 pm. Celebrate the Festival of Lights with your San Francisco baby and toddler community.
Break out your best Hanukkah gear and join JBN’s Carol Booth at Sherith Israel for music, crafts, Hanukkah goodie bags, stories, menorah lighting, donuts, and latkes. Bring along grandparents, extended family, and special friends for this festive celebration!
Registration is appreciated but not required. You do not need to be a member of any organization to attend this event.
Congregation Sherith Israel, Pac Heights – 2266 California Street San Francisco, CA 94115
Glowing Hanukkah, Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco
Sunday, Dec. 14 from 3 pm to 6 pm. Celebrate with JCCSF with crafts, dreidels, songs fresh donuts, and more treats from Ghirardelli Square. Glittery and glow-in-the-dark attire is recommended. Hanukkah candles are to be lit around 4:30 pm. Learn more >
Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco
Union Square Menorah Lighting, San Francisco
Sunday, Dec. 14 @ 2 pm – 6 pm. This first night lighting ceremony will include live music and the actual lighting at 5 pm. On Sunday night, December 29, festivities will begin at 2 pm including a dreidel house craft and children’s entertainment, with the lighting at 4.45 pm, Learn more >
Union Square, San Francisco
Winter Wonderland Hanukkah Celebration, Thrive City, SF
Thursday, Dec. 18 at 2 pm. Live entertainment, treats, and Hanukkah-themed arts and crafts will welcome families to Thrive City as the menorah will be lit for the evening. Ice skating is also in Thrive City for the season! Learn more >
Thrive City (Chase Center), San Francisco
Latkepalooza, Foster City
Date TBD. Details to come. Learn more >
Peninsula JCC, 800 Foster City Blvd, Foster City
Chanukah Train, Santa Cruz Boardwalk
Dates for 2025 are TBD. The Santa Cruz train will be Chanukah-themed with driedels and kosher refreshments provided by Chabad by the Sea. 5 pm public menorah lighting; 5.15 train ride. Adults $48; Children 12 and under $35. Learn more >
Santa Cruz Boardwalk, Santa Cruz
Shopping & Hanukkah Food
Shop local! Afikomen on Claremont Avenue in Berkeley is a terrific local store in the Elmwood district with everything you need to celebrate at home — we are lucky to have it in our neighborhood. This Judaica shop offers wonderful customer service and so many great Hanukkah products for your family. Need a special gift? They have Hanukkah gelt, candles, menorahs, and toys too. If you call ahead, Afikomen can provide you curbside service (510-655-1977).
Local restaurants and caterers that do Hanukkah right
Saul’s Delicatessen, Berkeley
Saul’s Deli in North Berkeley has yummy Hanukkah foods year-round, but for the December holiday, they amp up the latkes. Order ahead. There will be a pick-up window for latkes and sides.
Rockridge Market Hall, Oakland
Market Hall has a delicious catering menu for Chanukah, which will be posted in December. Choose all your favorite traditional foods. Items are available for parking lot pickup or local delivery within five miles.
Wise Sons (Oakland)
Browse the catering menu to select traditional Jewish foods for the holiday.
Grand Lake Kitchen (Oakland)
Choose to pick up matzoh ball soup, latkes, brisket, or donuts. It’s everything Hanukkah to eat >
Donuts (Around the East Bay)
See our local donut guide and order a dozen of your faves >
Be sure to sign up for free monthly Jewish children’s books from PJ Library all year round that are mailed to your home to keep.
We wish you and your family a Hanukkah season filled with love and light.
Thank you to our partner, PJ Library Bay Area, a program of the Jewish Federation Bay Area, that provides free Jewish books to children from birth through twelve years of age.
✡️ Like and Follow PJ Library Bay Area on Facebook and Instagram.
✡️ Enroll in free Jewish books for children, from birth through 8 years old: PJ Library.
✡️ Enroll in free Jewish chapter books for readers, ages 8.5 – 12 years old: PJ Our Way.
[Content and images used with permission from PJ Library. Additional research conducted by the 510families team and the greater East Bay community.]
Find more seasonal family fun in our East Bay Holiday Activities Guide.
