As Hanukkah approaches, towns throughout New Jersey are preparing to welcome the holiday with public Menorah lightings, festive gatherings, and family-friendly celebrations that highlight the state’s deep sense of community. With Hanukkah beginning on December 13 this year, municipalities, Jewish organizations, and local volunteers are coordinating a wide range of events that invite residents of all ages to share in the spirit of the Festival of Lights. For readers interested in additional seasonal happenings and lifestyle features around the state, Explore New Jersey’s lifestyle section offers a deeper look at community traditions year-round.
Public Menorah lightings have become a cherished New Jersey custom, bringing neighbors together in parks, town squares, libraries, and shopping districts. These gatherings often feature music, holiday treats, children’s activities, and messages of unity—reminding attendees that the heart of the celebration lies in bringing light to the winter season and strengthening the bonds within each community.
This year, towns such as Cherry Hill, Maplewood, Mountain Lakes, and Princeton continue their long-standing traditions. Cherry Hill’s annual celebration at Barclay Farms draws one of the largest turnouts in South Jersey, while Maplewood’s gathering at the Springfield Avenue Gazebo has become a beloved local ritual. In Mountain Lakes, families can expect an afternoon of stories, crafts, sufganiyot, and a Menorah lighting at the public library, creating an approachable and educational introduction to the holiday for younger participants. Princeton’s yearly partnership with The Jewish Center brings residents together at the Nassau Inn for a celebration that blends history, culture, and community connection.
Cherry Hill Prepares for One of New Jersey’s Biggest Hanukkah Celebrations at Barclay Farms. Cherry Hill is gearing up for a dazzling community celebration as one of the region’s most anticipated Hanukkah gatherings returns to the Barclay Farms Shopping Center. Each year, the township becomes a focal point for holiday festivities when the large outdoor Menorah is illuminated in front of hundreds of families, neighbors, and visitors. Known throughout the region as South Jersey’s largest Menorah lighting, the event has grown into a hallmark of seasonal celebration, drawing crowds eager to share in the warmth, joy, and traditions of the Festival of Lights. Readers looking for more cultural highlights throughout the season can explore additional features in our lifestyle section.
The 2025 celebration will take place on Sunday, December 14, beginning shortly after sunset at 5:00 p.m. A lively car-top Menorah parade will lead into the event, departing from the Chabad Center at 3:00 p.m. and traveling through Cherry Hill before arriving at Barclay Farms. The parade has become a cherished prelude to the main gathering, turning the surrounding streets into a moving display of light and community spirit.
Once the celebration begins at Barclay Farms, visitors will be greeted with a festive atmosphere anchored by the lighting of an impressive 18-foot outdoor Menorah—a towering symbol of resilience, hope, and tradition. The Menorah’s glow has become a signature element of the holiday in Cherry Hill, serving as both a visual spectacle and a meaningful reminder of the season’s message.
This year’s program blends tradition with entertainment, making it accessible and enjoyable for families and attendees of all ages. A fire juggler will bring energy and spectacle to the event, while a DJ sets the soundtrack for the evening with lively holiday music. Classic treats such as warm latkes, donuts, hot cider, and cocoa will be served, ensuring that the celebration reflects both the culinary and cultural flavors of Hanukkah. Children can enjoy gelt, dreidels, and the always-popular gigantic spinning dreidel installation that has become one of the event’s most photographed attractions.
The gathering also welcomes local leaders and public officials, including Cherry Hill Mayor David Fleisher, whose presence highlights the township’s commitment to supporting annual cultural programming and inclusive community events. Over the years, the Menorah lighting at Barclay Farms has evolved into a celebration that unites residents across backgrounds, creating a shared experience rooted in joy, tradition, and togetherness.
Each December, communities across New Jersey host Menorah lightings, but Cherry Hill’s event continues to stand out due to its scale, production value, and community involvement. From the parade to the towering Menorah and the entertainment-filled evening that follows, the celebration captures the essence of Hanukkah—light in darkness, strength in unity, and celebration in community.
As the holiday approaches, Cherry Hill once again positions itself as a centerpiece of regional Hanukkah festivities. Whether attending with family, meeting friends, or simply seeking a meaningful way to experience the season, the Barclay Farms Menorah lighting offers one of the most vibrant and memorable celebrations in the state, inviting everyone to take part in the glow of the Festival of Lights.
Aberdeen Township Readies a Warm and Welcoming Menorah Lighting Celebration. Aberdeen Township is among the many Central Jersey towns hosting festive programming this season. Its Menorah lighting at Aberdeen Town Hall on December 16 will offer music, hot cider, doughnuts, cupcake decorating, a chocolate gelt drop, dreidels, and seasonal activities designed to bring families together in a warm and joyful environment. The event’s emphasis on community, light, and shared celebration reflects the broader statewide enthusiasm for inclusive holiday gatherings.
Aberdeen Township is once again preparing to bring the community together for one of its most cherished seasonal traditions, as the annual Menorah lighting returns to Town Hall on December 16. The event has steadily grown into a beloved gathering for families, neighbors, and visitors throughout Monmouth County, offering a vibrant and inclusive way to celebrate the Festival of Lights. Those interested in discovering more cultural happenings and seasonal features can explore additional coverage in our lifestyle section.
The Menorah lighting, set for 6:00 p.m., transforms Aberdeen Town Hall into a hub of celebration each year. Residents from across the region are welcomed into a warm holiday atmosphere filled with music, activities, and traditional Hanukkah treats. The event is free and open to all, reflecting the township’s commitment to creating space for shared experiences that strengthen the community.
This year’s festivities promise an engaging mix of holiday cheer and family-friendly entertainment. Attendees can enjoy hot cider and doughnuts while children take part in cupcake decorating and spin dreidels with friends. A chocolate gelt drop—a favorite among younger participants—adds a playful and memorable moment to the evening. An inflatable attraction provides an extra layer of fun for kids, ensuring that the celebration remains lively from start to finish.
The lighting of the Menorah stands at the heart of the event. As the candles are illuminated, families gather around to watch the glow rise against the winter evening sky, marking the holiday’s themes of hope, perseverance, and community. The shared experience fosters a sense of unity that has become one of the defining features of Aberdeen’s annual celebration.
Over the years, the township has embraced the Menorah lighting as an opportunity not only to honor Jewish tradition but also to create a welcoming environment for residents of all backgrounds. The event’s focus on togetherness has made it a highlight of the holiday season, drawing longtime locals and newcomers alike.
With its blend of tradition, seasonal treats, and community spirit, the Menorah lighting at Aberdeen Town Hall continues to be one of the area’s most anticipated December events. As families gather to mark the holiday, Aberdeen once again demonstrates how local celebrations can bring out the best in a community—illuminating winter nights with warmth, joy, and shared connection.
Across New Jersey, these celebrations take shape through partnerships between municipalities, Chabad centers, JCCs, schools, synagogues, and civic groups working together to ensure that the holiday remains accessible and welcoming. From small-town gatherings to large-scale public ceremonies, each event contributes to a statewide mosaic of tradition and togetherness.
South Jersey communities including Collingswood, Evesham Township, Florence, Haddonfield, Hainesport, Medford, Moorestown, and Williamstown continue to host Menorah lightings that attract both longtime residents and new families discovering the holiday for the first time. Central Jersey towns such as Bridgewater, East Windsor, Freehold Borough, Highland Park, Hillsborough, Manalapan, Monroe Township, North Brunswick, Princeton, Robbinsville, and Sea Bright host their own annual celebrations, each adding a local flavor to the holiday. In North Jersey, communities from Bloomingdale and Caldwell to Jersey City, Livingston, Ridgewood, Verona, Westfield, and West Milford join together to mark the eight nights with public gatherings and shared moments of reflection and joy.
As the season begins, New Jersey’s towns are ready to shine brightly. Whether attending a Menorah lighting in a bustling downtown district or a quiet park in a small suburban community, residents have an opportunity to experience the warmth, inclusiveness, and celebration that define the holiday. With events spanning every corner of the state, the Festival of Lights once again unites New Jerseyans in the shared tradition of bringing light into the heart of winter.
