The Festival of Lights doesn’t officially begin until December 7th, 2023 this year, but it’s never too early to start filling the calendar with local Hanukkah events and ways to celebrate. This year’s holiday will go from December 7th through 15th, and for the Jewish community, it’s a time to spend time with loved ones. We’ve rounded up all of the Hanukkah events happening in Northern New Jersey to start planning. We also included a few places that are offering Hanukkah holiday treats. Whether celebrating with a family or a group of friends, and whether you say ‘Chanukah’ or ‘Hanukkah’ 2023, there’s something for everyone this season. Wishing all who celebrate a Happy Hanukkah 2023 in New Jersey and beyond!
Events
Light Up the Night Chanukah Party | 30 Park Street, Montclair
December 13th | 7:30PM
Montclair bar Just Jake’s, located at 30 Park Street, will host a Hanukkah-themed event on Wednesday, December 13th. There will be live music, Kosher treats, and a menorah lighting. A $15 cover fee is required for the event. Learn more here.
Menorah Lighting 2023 |
December 11th | 6PM
Families can join an afternoon celebration featuring songs, blessings, and the lighting of the menorah. Elected officials and MAPSO faith leaders will be present at the event. Click here to learn more.
Read More: Hobby’s Delicatessen + Restaurant — A Top-Rated Jewish Deli in Newark
SOPAC: SO Jewish Comedy Night | One SOPAC Way, South Orange
December 16th | 8PM
SO Jewish Comedy Night will be presented at SOPAC in South Orange, NJ. This event will bring a light-hearted evening of Jewish-themed comedy. Performers Liz Glazer and Judy Gold will be joining forces at this event. For more information, click here.
Maccabee Bar Pop-up | 64 Downing Street, New York
November 28th – December 31st
This Hanukkah pop-up bar will return for its 2nd year. Maccabee Bar was originally started in 2018 by bartender Naomi Levy when she saw a huge gap in the holiday market. With that in mind, she created the Maccabee Bar which is a Hanukkah wonderland with special decor, specially-themed cocktails, and traditional bites. Learn more here.
Jersey City Menorah Lighting 2023 | 280 Grove Street, Jersey City
December 4th | 1PM
The Jersey City Office of Cultural Affairs will host its annual menorah lighting. It will take place in downtown Jersey City by City Hall, located at 280 Grove Street. Learn more here.
The Annual Chanukah Soiree | 225 River Street, Hoboken
December 7th | 7:30PM
The Chabad Young Professionals of Hoboken + Jersey City community will host an event for young Jewish adults at the W Hotel, located at 225 River Street in Hoboken. The event includes a Menorah Lighting, an open bar, a sushi bar, and a latke + doughnut station. For more information click here.
8 Nights of Hanukkah with Yo La Tengo | 6 Delancey Street, New York
December 7th – December 14th | 7:30PM
Indie Rock Band ‘Yo La Tengo’ will bring its traditional Hanukkah Run to Bowery Ballroom in New York City over the eight nights of the holiday starting Thursday, December 7th to Thursday, December 14th. Each concert will feature a surprise opener and comedic performance before the trio takes the stage. For more information click here.
USH Community Shabbat + Hanukkah Dinner | 115 Park Avenue, Hoboken
December 8th | 6:30PM
Guests can join the Tribe for Shabbat services, candle lighting, and a Hanukkah-themed Dinner. For more information click here.
Treats
Hank Schwartz’s Delicatessen | Jersey City
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This Jewish deli is selling crispy potato latke selections that come in a half dozen with housemade crème fraîche and applesauce for $36. Additional latkes and sauces can be ordered also but at an additional cost. People can fill out the order form here. Pick-up options are available and free delivery for local Jersey City residents. If located elsewhere, there is an additional delivery cost.
Kosher Nosh Deli Restaurant + Catering | 894 Prospect Street, Glen Rock
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This Bergen County spot has been around since 1976 serving Jewish communities. It provides Kosher Catering, Kosher Delicatessen, appetizers, and indoor dining. There are Kosher deli chicken and sandwich platters available for catering options. Families can also opt to dine in. Menu items include salads, appetizers, and overstuffed sandwiches.
Liv Breads | 275 Essex Street, Milburn
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Liv Breads gives the traditional sufganiyot a healthy twist by filling baked brioche buns with strawberry jam, dulce de leche, or Nutella. For more information click here.
Michaeli Bakery Sufganiyah | 115A Division Street, New York City
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Michaeli Bakery in the Lower East Side, NYC is back with its special Hanukkah delights in a wide range of flavors. Find out more here.
Mikki + Al’s Noshery | 179 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair
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Mikki + Al’s has a curated full menu for the holiday. For food options, there is herb-roasted chicken, barley and mushrooms, oven-braised brisket, and gravy. To accompany dinner, there are other treats like latkes, jelly doughnuts, sour cream, or house-made apple sauce.
Susan Lawrence Catering | 26 North Greeley Avenue, New York
This company offers a holiday menu consisting of more than 20 Hanukkah preparations including the famous babka, chicken soup with matzo balls, and braised pot roast. For more information click here.
See More: Holiday Pop-up Markets + Bars in New Jersey
Sweet Kneads by Ridhma | 38 South Livingston Avenue, Livingston
This Kosher-certified boutique bakery specializes in baking classes, parties, and custom desserts that are vegan, nut-free, and gluten-free. Hanukkah dessert boxes are now available for pre-order and feature tiny desserts like doughnut holes. Call (973)-320-9030 to order and make sure to let them know to make the dessert boxes vegan, nut-free, and gluten-free if any dietary restrictions.
Yuki’s Bakery + Coffee | 720 Monroe Street, Hoboken
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This Jewish and Israeli spot is now taking orders for Hanukkah treats. For the holiday, Yuki’s will be selling strawberry jelly and chocolate sufganiyots. The word ‘sufganiyot’ means jelly doughnuts in Hebrew. To place an order, call 201-455-6401 or talk to a team member. These doughnuts are both dairy-free and nut-free.
Best of Montclair 2024 — Winners ANNOUNCED!
We know you've been hanging on the edge of your seats, but the wait is finally over. We now have the winners for the Best of Montclair 2024 Awards! After weeks of voting and local businesses working hard for your support, we have finally closed the polls and have tallied the votes to see who has won the title, and of course the bragging rights, of being the “best” in town.
FYI - we do not pick winners or nominees, the winners are chosen by voting over the course of two weeks by our audience, and nominees are the same — nominated fully by our readers and audience. If you don't see a category you think should be on here, please click here to fill our our form to suggest future categories. We cannot guarantee inclusion, but we truly appreciate your suggestions and our team will take them into consideration for 2025.
Winners – please note: an email will be going out with your virtual decal + link to use plus instructions on how to obtain your physical decal in the new year. Please email [email protected] so we have your most up-to-date mailing address. Thank you and congratulations to all who were nominated!
Best Accessories Boutique: Giftbar
Best Acupuncture Practice: Clear Mountain Acupuncture
Best Art Gallery: Tiny Gallery Montclair
Best Avocado Toast: The Corner
Best Bagel: Hot Bagels Abroad
Best Bar: Egan & Sons
Best Barbershop: Keycuts Barbershop
Best Beer Selection: Montclair Brewery
Best Blow Out: Haus of Hilights
Best Botox / Fillers: Evolve Med Spa
Best Breakfast Sandwich: The Corner
Best Breakout Montclair Business 2024: Acorn General Store
Best Brunch: The Corner
Best Burger: Dan & Day's Burgers and Shakes
Best BYOB Spot: Laboratorio Kitchen
Best Chicken Parm: Luigino's Parmigiana
Best Chiropractor: Montclair Performance Health & Chiropractic, Inc
Best Clothing Boutique: Village Vogue Barbara Eclectic
Best Cocktails: Faubourg
Best Coffee Shop: Paper Plane Coffee Co.
Best Community Event: Montclair Film Festival
Best Cookie: Vesta Chocolate
Best Date Night Spot: Faubourg
Best Deli: Nicolo's Italian Bakery + Deli
Best Delivery Restaurant: Jalwa: Modern Indian Dining
Best Dentist: Papasikos Orthodontics
Best Dermatologist: Montclair Rejuvenation Center
Best Dessert Shop: Le French Dad Boulangerie
Best DIY Experience: Alchemy Scent Bar
Best Espresso Martini: Faubourg
Best Eyebrow Spot: Bellezza by Deanna
Best Facial: Evolve Med Spa
Best Fitness Studio: FITloft
Best Floral Design: Studio Nectar
Best Food Truck: Little Pizza Heaven
Best Fries: Egan & Sons
Best Gift Shop: DollyMoo
Best Gluten-Free Menu: Samba Montclair
Best Hair Salon: One Hundred Hair Studio
Best Healthy Food Spot: Mercado
Best Hidden Gem: DollyMoo
Best Home Decor: White Rabbit Black Heart
Best Kids' Activity: IMC Kids Gym
Best Kids' Boutique: Over the Moon
Best Lashes: Bellezza by Deanna
Best Liquor/Beer Store: Amanti Vino
Best Local Maker/Artisan: DollyMoo
Best Margarita: Halcyon
Best Massage: Aura Head Spa
Best Nail Spot/Studio: Hanna Nails
Best New Dinner Spot: The Hudson Rose
Best Outdoor Dining Set-Up: Egan & Sons
Best Pasta: da Pepo
Best Photographer: Briana Battaglia Photography
Best Physical Therapist: SportsMed Physical Therapy
Best Pilates Studio: THE DRIP
Best Pizza: Bivio Pizza Napoletana
Best Plant Shop: Moss & More
Best Restaurant: Dan & Dan's Burgers and Shakes
Best Restaurant with a Good View: The Highlawn
Best Seafood: Halcyon
Best Sports Bar: Egan & Sons
Best Spot for Visitors: The Clairidge
Best Spray Tan: Glow Me.Mobile Spray Tanning
Best Stroller-Friendly Restaurant: Pineapple Express Barbecue
Best Sushi: Nami Nori
Best Sustainable Business: Dry Goods Refillery
Best Taco: Playa Taqueria
Best Therapist: Mountains Therapy
Best Vegan/Vegetarian-Friendly Menu: Marcel Bakery and Kitchen
Best Wedding Business: Fred Astaire Dance Studios
Best WFH Spot: Eagle Rock Cafe
Best Wings: Egan & Sons
Best Woman-Owned Business: Houss Freya Apothecary
Best Yoga Studio: Yoga Mechanics
Noteworthy Non-Profit: MESH Montclair (Montclair Emergency Services for Hope)
Winners, feel free to save this decal to post on your social media (we’ll also be mailing them in the new year (1 decal per winner) — so reach out to [email protected] with a specific address if needed):
Congrats to all of the winners and to those who were nominated, and thank you to everyone who voted!
If your business is a winner or you love any of these businesses, make sure to share this article to spread the news. Our team will be in touch with the winners in the new year to send you your decal to display for all to see.
