Hanukkah, the eight-day festival of lights, is a joyous holiday that begins the night of Dec. 6 and ends Dec. 14 this year. Hanukkah celebrates a miracle -- a single day's supply of oil for the Second Temple in Jerusalem that lasted eight days, until new supplies arrived.
The Chabads of North Texas have teamed up to make sure that all families will have free and festive opportunities to celebrate the holiday. Check dfwchanukah.com for updates.
Here's what's planned.
Arlington
Chabad of Arlington and the Mid-Cities invites people of all ages to help build Arlington's largest menorah made of -- wait for it -- Legos. The Hanukkah celebration includes the menorah lighting by Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams, children's crafts, latkes, doughnuts, gelt (chocolate coins) and hot drinks. Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. at Arlington City Hall, 101 E. Abram St. arlingtonchabad.org.
Dallas
Kick off Hanukkah at this event led by rabbi Mendel Dubrawsky at the Tom Thumb store at the intersection of Preston Road and Forest Lane. Sing with the Akiba Choir and enjoy Hanukkah treats provided by the store. Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. at 11920 Preston Road.
The menorah inside Galleria Dallas will be lighted each evening of Hanukkah at 5 p.m. Dec. 6-14 at the Galleria, 13350 Dallas Parkway. galleriadallas.com.
Join Chabad of North Texas for the third annual Jewish Heritage Night with the Mavs before the team takes on the Atlanta Hawks. A menorah lighting will take place at 7:30 p.m., a kosher food truck will be parked in the plaza and a DJ will spin records throughout the event. You also can buy tickets to the game and sit with others celebrating Hanukkah. Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. at AT&T Plaza, 2500 Victory Ave. jewishmavs.com.
Chabad of Dallas will lead a ceremonial lighting of the fifth candle of the menorah; the event will include songs and prayer. Jelly doughnuts will be served afterward. Dec. 10 at noon at Thanks-Giving Square, 1627 Pacific Ave. dfwchanukah.com/#/thanksgiving-square.
The Intown Chabad hosts its ninth annual menorah lighting, this time featuring the Stevie James Trio plus food and free Hanukkah swag. Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. on the Continental Avenue Pedestrian Bridge, 109 Continental Ave. theintownchabad.com.
The Chabad of Dallas and the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center will team up to light the largest menorah in Texas during halftime of the Cowboys-Packers game. There'll be refreshments and musical entertainment. Dec. 13 at 5 p.m. at the JCC, 7900 Northhaven Road. 214-239-7138. jccdallas.org.
Fort Worth
A community Hanukkah party hosted by Chabad Lubavitch of Fort Worth and Tarrant County will feature latkes, hot soup, gelt, games, and entertainment for all ages. Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. at 5659 Woodway Drive. 817-263-7701. chabadfortworth.com.
Frisco
The Chabad of Frisco will light a menorah at 5 p.m., after a greeting from Frisco schools superintendent Jeremy Lyon. There will be music, crafts for the children, hot drinks, Hanukkah foods and a character in a dreidel costume. Dec. 6 from 5 to 5:45 p.m. at Simpson Plaza across from Frisco City Hall, 6101 Frisco Square Blvd. chabadfrisco.org.
Plano
Menachem Block, executive director of Chabad of Plano/Collin County, will light the menorah at the Shops of Willow Bend. Festivities include Hanukkah games and gift bags, crafts, a dreidel mascot and a meet-and-greet with Champ, the Dallas Mavericks' mascot. Dec. 7 at 6:15 p.m. near Macy's, 6121 W. Park Blvd. 972-202-4900. shopwillowbend.com.
Southlake
The Chabad of Arlington and the Mid-Cities is hosting its first Hanukkah celebration at Southlake Town Square this year. Along with a menorah lighting, the fest will offer music, children's crafts, hot drinks, jelly doughnuts and hot latkes. Dec. 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Rustin Park Pavilion in Southlake Town Square, 1400 Main St. 817-451-1171. arlingtonchabad.org.
By Nancy Churnin and Sara Frederick Burgos. Follow them on Twitter at @nchurnin and @sarafrederick.
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