Hanukkah 2024: Ways to Celebrate

Like many other annual celebrations, Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is approaching, and preparations are being made to make the most of this year’s celebration. For many Jewish families, Hanukkah is the time to celebrate and honor their faith, family members, and tradition. This article lists fun activities to partake in this year. 

Traditional Hanukkah Foods and Recipes

What’s a Hanukkah celebration without local delicacies? Here are some authentic Hanukkah dishes to try out: 

Latkes

Latkes are possibly the best Hanukkah food. This fried potato pancake can be easily mistaken for hash browns; they also go well with applesauce and can be served as a side dish. 

Mandelbrot

It is a loaf-style cookie similar to Italian biscotti. The best part is that it is made without butter or milk and served with coffee or tea.

Challah Bread

Enjoy this floral, slightly sweet bread with tea or coffee. It is made with honey and eggs and garnished with sesame seed or flaky salt. 

Sufganiyot

In Hebrew for “doughnuts,” sufganiyot is yet another popular food. They are fried, made from yeast dough, and then filled with chocolate or jam.

Family Activities to Celebrate the Festival of Lights

Take your Hanukkah celebration up a notch this year by incorporating unique events. Some fun activities to celebrate include: 

Wearing Matching Clothes for a Memorable Family Photograph

Take a family picture to make long-lasting memories. Instead of wearing different outfits, coordinate by matching colors, designs, or graphics. Holiday outfits signal the close-knit relationship between family members. Hiring a professional photographer is also unnecessary when a good smartphone can do the trick. 

Make Hanukkah Gelts

Sharing Hanukkah gelts, also called foil-wrapped chocolate coins, is an old tradition of showing love. Simply visit a store and get chocolate coins to wrap, then send them to your loved ones!

Family Game Night

Make a list of possible games families can enjoy and send the list of the chosen games to your family. Before the game night, get the necessary supplies and set up a cozy environment. Make sure to curate gifts for winners to make the event more lively. 

Zoom the event

Sometimes, getting all your family members together for a game night can be impossible. Distance should not be a barrier to having fun, as distance members can partake in this event via Zoom. Create a Zoom link, set up a well-positioned camera, and have fun!

Modern Ways to Celebrate Hanukkah Traditions

In need of new ways to have fun this year, below is a long list of modern ways to celebrate Hanukkah: 

• Play dreidel
• Adopt a family for Hanukkah
• Donations and Tzedakah
• Exchanging gifts with friends and other family members
• DIY Hanukkah carols
• Hanukkah Song Karaoke with your family 
• Make different traditional Hanukkah foods
• Find Hanukkah celebrations in your community (if you do not reside in a predominantly Jewish environment)

Dive Into the Holiday Spirit at Holiday Road

Whether you celebrate Hanukkah or Christmas, Holiday Road is always a memorable experience! Located in Los Angeles, CA, Holiday Road is a magical adventure that only happens once a year. Be ready to witness holiday magic at its peak with colorful lights, holiday decor, and so much more! Dive into the holiday spirit and buy your tickets to make this season one to remember!