Your 2025 Hanukkah family guide for metro Detroit: Events, recipes, crafts and activities

Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights that commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple, kicks off at sundown on Dec. 14. 

If you’re looking for ways to kick your traditional festivities into high gear, our Hanukkah family guide includes fun crafts, recipes and even a few events and activity ideas.

Local Hanukkah events

These local celebrations are great for sharing the holiday joy with your community. 

Hanukkah-Diwali Celebration

Nov. 20, 2025

• Address: Bharatiya Temple, 6850 N. Adams Rd., Troy
• Cost: Free; RSVP recommended

Celebrate Hanukkah and Diwali together during this interfaith gathering featuring cultural activities, shared traditions, tasty food and a special candle-lighting ceremony honoring both holidays.

Menorah in the D

Dec. 14, 2023

• Address: Campus Martius Park, 800 Woodward Ave., Detroit
• Cost: Free

This annual event features a fire show, complimentary soup, snacks and cider, crafts, games, greetings with community leaders and the lighting of the giant menorah. RSVP required.

JBAM Hanukkah Party

Dec. 9, 2025

• Address: Platform 18, 116 E. 7th St., Royal Oak
• Cost: Free; RSVP recommended

Hosted by the Jewish Bar Association of Michigan, this Hanukkah celebration offers a chance for community members to gather, connect and enjoy complimentary kosher food and beverages. A relaxed and festive evening for adults celebrating the holiday season together.

Food

A traditional Hanukkah celebration wouldn’t be complete without brisket, latkes, kugel and more. While many families might have recipes handed down generation to generation, this year offers a great chance for families to mix up their Hanukkah menus a bit. Here are a few ideas for inspiration.

• Festive Hanukkah Food: This roundup includes six recipes for fluffy Matzah balls, twice-baked beef brisket Sufganiyot and more! 
• Diverse Holiday Treat Ideas for Families to Make Together: Find recipes from fruit Menorahs to carrot parsnip Latkes and everything in between — plus Christmas, Diwali and Kwanzaa recipes, too. 

Hanukkah activities 

Menorah lightings with your families and special prayers are a must for this holiday, but there’s lots of fun activities you can do beyond that, too. 

• Hanukkah Crafts for Kids: Gather a few simple supplies and you’re on your way to make a yarn-wrapped hurricane Chanukah centerpiece, an Altoids tin Menorah and more. 
• Hanukkah Holiday Craft Ideas for Kids and Families to Make: Happy Hanukkah wall art, sun catchers and a clothespin Menorah are some of the fun ideas on this craft list.
• Eight Exciting Hanukkah Gifts for Kids: Along with the eight days of celebrating comes eight days of gifts and if you’re stumped on what to get your kiddos this season, we suggest these eight festive gift ideas. 

Happy Hanukkah!

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