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Chanukah is just around the corner, and there are some truly amazing events lined up this year. We’ve got the scoop on the top 5 you won’t want to miss. So grab your calendars and let’s dive in!
Looking for more ways to celebrate Jewish life year-round?
👉 Check out our full guide to Jewish Things to Do With Kids in Milwaukee for family-friendly activities, volunteer ideas, and community events.
Chanukah Events Around Milwaukee
Hanukkah on the Hoan
2025 Dates Coming Soon
Celebrate the Festival of Lights with the Daniel M. Hoan Memorial Bridge lit as a menorah each night. Families are encouraged to light their menorahs at home alongside the Hoan.
Candle Lighting Schedule:
- December 25 at 6:00 p.m. – Lighting of the Shamash (helper candle) and first candle
- December 26 at 6:00 p.m. – Lighting of the second candle
- December 27 at 4:00 p.m. – Early lighting for Shabbat and third candle
- December 28 – 31 at 6:00 p.m. – Lighting of the next four candles
- January 1 at 6:00 p.m. – Lighting of the eighth and final candle
Chanukah Festival & Gelt Drop – Unite Through Light!
BAYSHORE is lighting up the season with this exciting family-friendly Chanukah celebration.
📅 Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025
Event Highlights:
- Interactive LED Experience
- LED Robot Dancers
- 12-Foot Lite Brite Wall
- Glow Games
- Giant Menorah Lighting
- Illuminated Swings & Glow Dreidel Lounge
- LED See Saw
- Choo Choo Train Rides
- FREE Hot Drinks & Donuts
- Food for Sale at The Dell on Crown
Special Giveaway:
Pre-register to receive a FREE Holographic Belt Bag. Learn more & pre-register: mkechanukah.com.
Looking ahead beyond the holiday season?
Families who want to learn more about Jewish educational options in the Milwaukee area can take a look at our overview of Milwaukee Jewish Day School (MJDS), which offers a warm, community-centered environment for students in 3K through 8th grade.
Grand Car Menorah Parade
Sunday, December 14th | 🕒 3:00 PM
Kick off Chanukah with an inspiring show of Jewish pride at the annual Grand Car Menorah Parade!
More info and RSVP: chabadwi.org/parade
Hanukkah with the Admirals
Light up the night with the Milwaukee Admirals as they celebrate Hanukkah on the ice! Support the JCC Wisconsin Delegation Maccabi athletes as they prepare for the 2025 Maccabi Games in Pittsburgh. A portion of each ticket sold will directly benefit the delegation.
Event Details
When: 2025 Dates Coming Soon
Where: UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena
400 W Kilbourn Ave, Milwaukee
Chanukah Concert ft. Noam Buskila
December 16, 2025 | 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Get ready to get lit this Chanukah with an energetic live concert from Israeli superstar Noam Buskila. This family-friendly celebration brings together music, food, and hands-on fun for all ages.
What to Expect:
- Live concert from Noam Buskila
- Menorah lighting
- Dreidel activities and gaming
- Donut bar & sweet treats
- Hands-on fun for kids and adults
- Delicious dinner from Mizrahi Grill available for purchase
It’s an upbeat night of music, community, and Jewish joy.
Annual Chanukah Dinner
Monday, December 15th | 6:00 PM
Join Chabad of Glendale for its annual Chanukah Dinner! Enjoy:
- Menorah Lighting
- Dairy dinner buffet
- Open bar
- Live music & family entertainment
My family will be there — we’d love to celebrate together!
Community Hanukkah Celebration at the JCC
Get your family ready for Hanukkah at the JCC’s annual community-wide celebration. Plan for the 8 nights of Hanukkah, create a Hanukkah travel kit for winter vacations, and connect with the community through crafts, activities, mitzvah projects, and entertainment for young families.
Event Details
When: 2025 Dates Coming Soon
Where: Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC
6255 N Santa Monica Blvd, Whitefish Bay
Cost: FREE and open to the community (Food available for purchase from Hannah’s Kitchen CAFA B Data).
Chanukah Celebration at The Corners of Brookfield
📅 Date: 2025 Dates Coming Soon
📍 Location: The Corners of Brookfield
Celebrate the joy of Chanukah with the Chabad Jewish Center of Waukesha-Brookfield at this fun, family-friendly event! Bring the whole crew to help paint a giant dreidel and enjoy festive treats like complimentary latkes and tie-dye frosted sufganiyot.
The evening wraps up with the lighting of the menorah in Market Square, a beautiful tradition you won’t want to miss. Activities will take place indoors between Fresh Fin and sweetgreen.
This event is free and open to everyone—don’t forget to RSVP!
CBINT Hanukkah Dinner
📅 2025 Dates Coming Soon
Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid
Celebrate the Festival of Lights with a warm and welcoming community at Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid’s annual Hanukkah dinner. Enjoy a delicious meal while all ages come together to help retell the Hanukkah story—no prior experience needed! Tickets are $25 for adults and $12 for kids, making it a fun and meaningful evening for the whole family.
Chanukah Train at the East Troy Railroad
📅 2025 Dates Coming Soon
All aboard the Chanukah Train! Enjoy a unique evening with a latke dinner, Chanukah music, menorah trivia, and the ever-popular dreidel game. Tickets are just $10, but hurry – seating is limited!
Check out jewishwaukesha.com/train to snag your spot.
Last Night of Hanukkah at Old World Wisconsin
Old World Wisconsin (W372 S9727 WI-67, Eagle, WI 53119)
Website
The Last Night of Hanukkah activity takes place in the historic Four Mile House at Old World Wisconsin, which served as a boarding house during the 1870s. Interpreters imagine with guests that an immigrant Jewish family has stopped over as lodgers and are treating other boarding house residents to a traditional Hanukkah meal.
They bake challah in a wood stove, set the table for the meal, and have examples of other dishes that may have been prepared. The interpreter also introduces elements such as the menorah, dreidel game, and candle prayers as part of the activity.
And don’t forget the Fiserv Forum Menorah Lighting on the first night of Hanukkah – details to come, so stay tuned!
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
