Hanukkah Events in the Washington, DC Area

National Menorah Lighting
December 21, 2008, 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.

Hands-On Hanukkah!
December 14, 2008, 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.

Chanukah Feast in Concert at Strathmore
December 27, 2008, 8 p.m., Music Center at Strathmore, Concert Hall presents a stage version of the hugely popular CD. The Alexandria Kleztet, Robyn Helzner Trio, The Sinai Mountain Boys, Grown Men with Mikhail Horowitz and Gilles Malkine, Klezcentricity and Marc Glickman provide merry renditions of centuries of celebration songs.Tickets: $21 (301) 581-5100.

Fire and Ice Hanukkah
December 21, 2008, 4:30 p.m. Bethesda Row, Woodmont Avenue., Bethesda, Maryland. Hanukkah event sponsored by Chabad of Bethesda-Chevy Chase, featuring an ice sculpture Menorah, entertainment, crafts projects for the kids, latkes and chocolate coins. Free admission. (301) 913-9777.

Hanukkah Festival in Alexandria
December 21, 2008. 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 18, 2008, 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
December 22, 2008, 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, 2008. 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
December 27, 2008, 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.