With the setting of the sun on Dec. 14, Orange County’s Jewish community will be celebrating Hanukkah. Throughout the eight-day festival of lights celebration, events planned around the county are inviting residents to join in the lighting of menorahs and enjoy traditional holiday treats and games.
Here are several of the community events planned:
Huntington Beach: Chabad of South Huntington Beach will host a public menorah lighting at 6 p.m. on Dec. 16 at Bella Terra, in the central park area. There will be live music, crafts and refreshments. Information: chabadshb.com
Irvine: The Chabad of North Irvine will host a community Hanukkah celebration at The District Shopping Center with activities and entertainment at 3 p.m. on Dec. 14. There will be crafts and music, as well as latkes. Information: ChabadNI.com
Read also: Menorah lights the night at the Seal Beach Pier ahead of Hanukkah
Ladera Ranch: The Ladera Ranch Festival of Lights will celebrate the upcoming Hanukkah season from 4 to 6 p.m. on Dec. 14. There will be music, dancing, crafts and dreidels and the traditional menorah will be lit. Information: LaderaLife.com
Laguna Beach: There will be a surfboard Menorah lighting starting at 2 p.m. on Dec. 14 at Main Beach. There will be entertainment, including a DJ and dancing, activities for kids, latkes and gelt and more. Information: chabadoflaguna.com
Laguna Niguel: The city will host a menorah lighting at City Hall with the Chabad of Laguna Niguel at 4 p.m. on Dec. 14. The celebration of Hanukkah will feature activities, crafts, treats and live entertainment. Information: ChabadLagunaNiguel.com
Laguna Woods: The Chabad of Aliso Viejo and Laguna Woods will host a community celebration of Chanukah at 5 p.m. on Dec. 14 at outside by Laguna Woods Village’s Clubhouse 1. There will be entertainment, traditional treats and more. Information: jewishalisoviejo.com
Mission Viejo: The Chabad of Mission Viejo will celebrate the Festival of Lights with the community from 3 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 14 at the Norman P. Murray Center. Along with lighting the menorah, the event will feature music and entertainment, family activities and games. Latkes and sufganiyot, or jelly donuts, will be served. Information: cityofmissionviejo.org
Newport Beach: The Chabad Center for Jewish Life-Newport Beach and Fashion Island will host a menorah lighting ceremony Dec. 14. The event will start at 3 p.m. and will feature singing and festive traditions. It will be in the Atrium Garden Court. Information: fashionisland.com
Also, The Chabad Center for Jewish Life is presenting a Hanukkah celebration starting at 1 p.m. on Dec. 21. There will be activities for children, treats, a gelt drop from a firetruck ladder and a concert. It will be held outdoors at the center, 2240 University Drive, overlooking the Back Bay. Information: jewishnewport.com
Orange, Satna Ana: Temple Beth Sholom will host a Hanukkah menorah lighting at 6 p.m. nightly in the traffic circle of the Orange Plaza from Dec. 14 to 22. Each night of Hanukkah, a ceremony to light another candle will be held. Temple Beth Sholom serves a large population in Orange. Information: tbsoc.com
San Clemente: The Chabad Jewish Center of San Clemente will participate in the lighting of a 10-foot menorah on the San Clemente Pier with music, the Driedel Man, crafts and more at 4 p.m. on Dec. 21.
There will also be a menorah lighting at the Outlets at San Clemente at 5 p.m. on Dec. 22. There will be a giant gelt drop as well as crafts and activities, entertainment and latkes and donuts. Information: jewishsc.com
Villa Park: Chabad Yorba Linda-Beth Meir Hacohen and Chabad of Tustin are hosting a Hanukkah celebration for the community at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 17 with balloon twisting and traditional treats. Information: ocjewish.com
Yorba Linda: There will be a Hanukkah celebration with the community hosted by the North County Chabad Center at 6 p.m. on Dec. 18 at the Yorba Linda Community Center. Along with children’s activities and traditional treats, there will be an LED robot. Information: ocjewish.com