Hanukkah Events in the Washington, DC Area

National Menorah Lighting
December 13, 2009, 4 p.m. The Ellipse, 1600 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC (202) 332-5600. Celebrate the beginning of Hanukkah with speeches, music, activities for kids and the lighting of the National Menorah by Rabbi Levi Shemtov. This event is free, but tickets are required.

Mama Doni & the Mama Doni Band
December 13, 4:30 p.m. Tikvat Israel Congregation, 2200 Baltimore Rd., Rockville, Maryland. (301) 762-7338. In a spirit of outrageous fun, the band brings their special brand of “funky music with a Jewish twist” to their Maryland debut, with an all-ages family Chanukah show.

Hands-On Hanukkah!
2009 Date to be Announced, 1-3:30 p.m. Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington 6125 Montrose Road, Rockville, Maryland (301) 881-0100. Press olive oil, paint wooden dreidels or create edible ones to nosh on, "excavate" treasures from a sand pit, then decorate tambourines and dance to Klezmer music by Machaya. Mama Leah's Pizza, latkes, applesauce and sour cream, sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) and drinks. $7/child or $20/family. Shadow Puppet Theatre performs the story of the Maccabees (included in admission price) at 3 p.m.

Hanukkah Festival in Alexandria
2009 Date to be Announced. J& J Oriental Rug Gallery, 1200 King St. Old Town Alexandria. Chabad Lubavitch of Alexandria-Arlington sponsors a Menorah Lighting, dreidels, lakes and donuts. (703)370-2774.

Hanukkah on Ice
December 10, 2009, 6-8:30 p.m. Pentagon Row Ice Rink, 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington, Virginia. Ice menorah carving show, menorah lighting and ice skating.(703) 370-2774. $10 per person, includes skate rental.

Chanukah Sedar at Sixth and I Historic Synagogue
2009 Date to be Announced, 7-8:15 p.m. 600 I St. NW Washington, DC (202) 332-1221. Enjoy a full-length musical adaptation of the story of Hanukkah with food, friends, and a sing along $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

Matzo Ball
December 24, 2009. 9 p.m. Ultrabar, 911 F St. NW, Washington, DC (888) 633-5326. $30. Singles Hanukkah party organized by the Society of Young Jewish Professionals.

DC: Hanukkah Worldwide
2009 Date to be Announced, 10 p.m. Sixth and I Synagogue, 600 I St. NW Washington, DC. Hanukkah party for young adults, DJ, Israeli/hip-hop/house music, Dancing, Menorah Lighting, Martini Bar.