Rabbi Shmuel Marcus dances during a public menorah lighting by the Chabad of Los Alamitos to celebrate Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seal Beach. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
People dance in a circle during a public menorah lighting by the Chabad of Los Alamitos to celebrate Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seal Beach. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
A woman holds an Israeli flag during a prayer for Israel at a public menorah lighting by the Chabad of Los Alamitos to celebrate Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seal Beach. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
People dance in a circle during a public menorah lighting by the Chabad of Los Alamitos to celebrate Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seal Beach. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
People dance with an Israeli flag during a public menorah lighting by the Chabad of Los Alamitos to celebrate Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seal Beach. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
Families light candles during a public menorah lighting by the Chabad of Los Alamitos to celebrate Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seal Beach. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
The Prince family lights a candle on the 9-foot menorah during a public menorah lighting by the Chabad of Los Alamitos to celebrate Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seal Beach. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
Families light candles during a public menorah lighting by the Chabad of Los Alamitos to celebrate Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seal Beach. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
A child lights a candle during a public menorah lighting by the Chabad of Los Alamitos to celebrate Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seal Beach. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
Dennis Singer lights a candle on the 9-foot tall menorah during a public menorah lighting by the Chabad of Los Alamitos to celebrate Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seal Beach. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
The Erman family walks off the stage after lighting a candle on the 9-foot menorah during a public menorah lighting by the Chabad of Los Alamitos to celebrate Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seal Beach. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
Families take photos in a photo booth during a public menorah lighting by the Chabad of Los Alamitos to celebrate Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seal Beach. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
Zalman Thaler dances with a child during a public menorah lighting by the Chabad of Los Alamitos to celebrate Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seal Beach. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
People dance and watch a performance by Melech Frank during a public menorah lighting by the Chabad of Los Alamitos to celebrate Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seal Beach. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
Melech Frank performs during a public menorah lighting by the Chabad of Los Alamitos to celebrate Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seal Beach. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
Melech Frank performs during a public menorah lighting by the Chabad of Los Alamitos to celebrate Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seal Beach. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
A band plays music during a performance by Isaac Gordon during a public menorah lighting by the Chabad of Los Alamitos to celebrate Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seal Beach. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
A crowd watches during a public menorah lighting by the Chabad of Los Alamitos to celebrate Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seal Beach. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
A crowd of people watch during a public menorah lighting by the Chabad of Los Alamitos to celebrate Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seal Beach. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
Tzvi Thaler plays with a dreidel a Jewish game, during a public menorah lighting by the Chabad of Los Alamitos to celebrate Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seal Beach. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
Abran Smith plays with a dreidel, a Jewish game, during a public menorah lighting by the Chabad of Los Alamitos to celebrate Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seal Beach. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
Isaac Gordon performs during a public menorah lighting by the Chabad of Los Alamitos to celebrate Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seal Beach. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
Rabbi Shmuel Marcus speaks during a public menorah lighting by the Chabad of Los Alamitos to celebrate Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seal Beach. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
Olga Gorbundova, center, kisses her daughter, Sonya Smith, during a public menorah lighting by the Chabad of Los Alamitos to celebrate Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seal Beach. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
The Rogachevsky family dances before a public menorah lighting by the Chabad of Los Alamitos to celebrate Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seal Beach. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
The sun sets behind a 9-foot tall menorah before a public menorah lighting by the Chabad of Los Alamitos to celebrate Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seal Beach. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
Rabbi Shmuel Marcus, right, and his wife, Bluma Marcus pose for a photo in a photo booth during a public menorah lighting by the Chabad of Los Alamitos to celebrate Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seal Beach. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
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Rabbi Shmuel Marcus dances during a public menorah lighting by the Chabad of Los Alamitos to celebrate Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seal Beach. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
The Chabad of Los Alamitos shared an early Chanukah, or Hanukkah, celebration with the community, lighting a giant menorah the other night at the Seal Beach Pier, the sun setting across the ocean as a backdrop.
It’s a beloved annual tradition and draws hundreds who enjoy the entertainment and family activities.
The eight-day holiday officially begins at sundown on Dec. 25 this year, and Orange County’s Jewish community is planning several celebrations around the region, inviting their neighbors to celebrate the Festival of Lights.
Here are some of the public events on the calendar:
Aliso Viejo: The Chabad of Aliso Viejo and Laguna Woods will host a community celebration of Chanukah at 5 p.m. on Dec. 26 at the Aliso Viejo Town Center, near the fountain. There will be family activities, entertainment, traditional treats and more. Information: jewishalisoviejo.com
Dana Point: There will be menorahs displayed around the city, according to the Chabad Jewish Center of Dana Point. A large menorah will be in La Plaza Park, another in the Dana Point Harbor at Dana Wharf and a third outdoors at the Gelsons Market. Information: jewishdanapoint.com
Irvine: The Chabad of North Irvine will host a community celebration at The District shopping center with activities and entertainment at 1 p.m. on Dec. 29. There will be a lighting of the grand menorah, music and family activities, as well as dreidels, latkes and donuts. Information: chabadni.com
Laguna Beach: There will be a surfboard menorah lighting starting at 2 p.m. on Dec. 29 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: A celebration will be hosted at Laguna Niguel City Hall at 4 p.m. on Dec. 29. Along with the traditional menorah lighting, it will feature crafts, holiday treats and live entertainment. Information: chabadlagunaniguel.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. 22 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 is presenting a community celebration starting at 1 p.m. on Dec. 25. There will be activities for children, treats, a gelt drop from a firetruck ladder and a concert with The Moshav Band. It will be held outdoors at the center, 2240 University Drive, overlooking the Back Bay. Information: jewishnewport.com
Newport Beach: The Chabad Center for Jewish Life is hosting a menorah lighting celebration with Fashion Island at 3 p.m. on Dec. 29 in the mall’s Atrium Garden Court. The afternoon will feature crafts and activities for families, entertainment, including a performance by OC Klezmers, dreidels and donuts and more. Visitors are encouraged to bring an unwrapped gift for the toy drive. Information: jewishnewport.com
Orange, Santa Ana: Temple Beth Sholom will host a menorah lighting at 6 p.m. nightly in the traffic circle of the Orange Plaza from Dec. 25 to Jan. 1, except Dec. 27. Temple Beth Sholom serves a large population in Orange. Information: tbsoc.com/chanukah
San Clemente: At 4 p.m. on Dec. 29 a ceremony lighting a giant menorah on the San Clemente pier will be held by the Chabad Jewish Center of San Clemente. There will be activities for kids, treats and entertainment. Information: jewishsc.com
San Clemente: The Chabad Jewish Center of San Clemente will participate in a menorah lighting at the Outlets at San Clemente at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 31. There will be a giant gelt drop as well as crafts and activities, entertainment and latkes and donuts. Information: jewishsc.com
Villa Park: A Chanukah celebration will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 26 at City Hall. Information: ocjewish.com
Yorba Linda: A pre-Chanukah community event will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 23 at the Yorba Linda Cultural Center, with a Menorah lighting, crafts and entertainment and latkes and donuts. Information: ocjewish.com
