Your Brooklyn Chanukah happenings in 2014

chanukah sweater — If there’s anywhere to wear this atrocity, it’s one of these parties. via Flickr user Lynn Friedman

Chanukah is upon us, and this is Brooklyn, so you know celebrations are afoot. Whether you’re Jewish or you just really appreciate the efforts of the chosen people (bagels & lox, lawyers, Sandy Koufax), there’s a little something for everyone happening in our borough during the festival of lights.

“World’s Largest Menorah” Lighting
Grand Army Plaza
December 16-24, 6pm

Every year Grand Army Plaza in Park Slope rolls out the biggest Menorah you’ve ever seen (literally) and displays it for the world to see. You can check out the lighting every night from December 16-24 at 6pm, as well as appreciate some live music, hot latkes, and gifts for the little ones.

Chabad of DUMBO Chanukah Events
DUMBO
December 16, 4pm and December 18, 7pm-9pm.

Chabad of DUMBO is serving up two nights with different Chanukah events for all ages. The first of which is a puppet show at 4pm on December 16, located at The Dumbo Spot (160 Water Street). The event kicks off with 20+ puppets, holiday arts & crafts, the lighting of the ice Menorah, and hot chocolate.

If you’re not in the mood for silly voices and googlely-eyed characters, join the fun on December 18 where Mark Jupiter will host Exodus Session Volume 2: Celebrating LIGHT! from 7pm-9pm (191 Plymouth Street). It’s a Chanukah themed evening of artistic expression — ranging from music arranged by Alon Cohen and the Exodus Sessions house band, to video mapping installation by the artist S.B, to a teaching by Rabbi Asher Crispe on the nature of Light in Science and Kabbalah. There will also be an open bar and traditional Jewish fare, with a suggested donation of $20.

Chanukah Art Festival
Jewish Children’s Museum (792 Eastern Parkway, Crown Heights)
December 17-24

Promising to be an art experience for all ages, the Jewish Children Museum is putting together a slew of events in honor of the season, including an olive oil workshop, stained glass art workshop, and (our personal favorite) donut decorating.

Tech Tribe Chanukah Party
Makeshift Society (55 Hope Street, Williamsburg)
December 17, 7pm-10pm

Jews and media jobs, peanut butter and jelly, you know the rest. Come out to Makeshift Society on December 17 for a tech mixer flush with Chanukah treats, drinks, and the opportunity to build your own craft beer menorah while they light their 3D version.

Beth Elohim Hanukkah Events
Beth Elohim (274 Garfield Place, Park Slope)
December 17, 6pm and December 19, 5pm.

Join the congregation on December 17 for a free community candle lighting, and again on December 19 for a Shabbat Hanukkah celebration that begins at 5pm with a sing-along, followed by candle lighting, dinner, and a performance by Yeladudes Theater and a Ma’ariv evening service. $15 for adults, $7 for kids.

PHS Chanukareokee Party!
Mason and Mug (708 Washington Avenue, Park Slope)
December 18, 8pm-11pm

Celebrate the third night of Chanukah with some food, drink, and some Jew-themed karaoke (or not, that’s cool too). Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door and includes a free drink ticket and unlimited karaoke.

Schmaltz Brewing Co. Chosen Bar Takeover
Williamsburg & South Slope
December 21, 1pm-4pm. December 23 8pm-close.

For a less tradition but more boozy celebration, join Schmaltz Brewing at Spuyten Duyvil (359 Metropolitan Ave) on December 21 from 1pm-4pm where they’ll be facing off against Sly Fox and Iron Hill in a Chanukah vs. Christmas beer death match. They’ll also be at Prospect Bar (545 5th Avenue) from 8 til last call going nose to nose with Smuttynose for the ultimate title of best holiday beer.

Chanukah @ the Nets
Barclays Center (620 Atlantic Avenue, Flatbush)
December 21, 5:30pm

That’s right — the Brooklyn Nets are having a Chanukah themed game at Barclays Center. There’ll be a Rabbis vs. teens halftime game, which hopefully will dispel the notion that Jews make terrible athletes, and a Menorah lighting ceremony between the 1st and 2nd quarter, along with a national anthem performance by Jewish singer Yanky Lemmer. It all goes down at 5:30pm on December 21, with tickets as cheap as $25.

Bay Ridge Jewish Center Celebration
Bay Ridge Jewish Center (4th Avenue & 81st Street, Bay Ridge)
December 21, 2pm

Join in on an afternoon of latkes and dreidel fit for all ages to celebrate the season. It’s $10 for adults, $5 for kids if you’re a member, and $15 for adults and $10 for kids if you’re not.