Chanukah starts this year on the same day as Christmas, December 25, 2024. This is one of the latest starts I can recall for the Jewish Festival of Lights. It ends eight days later. For Mainers who celebrate, they’ll likely set up menorahs at home.
However, if you would like to celebrate in your community with group menorah lightings, we’ve tracked down where you can go in Southern Maine to participate.
Menorah lighting celebrations in Southern Maine
Some menorah lightings are part of a town’s overall holiday celebrations that also include tree lighting events. However, unlike a tree lighting that happens once, menorah candles are lit each night for the eight days of Hanukkah. So, some communities have multiple nights for lighting their menorah, also known as a Hanukkiah.
Here is the information we’ve found so far for Chanukah this year. We’ve listed it in alphabetical order by location. If we come across additional information, we’ll add it to the article.
Finally, there are some places that have had candle lightings in the past, such as the University of Southern Maine and the Chabad of Maine. Or groups that have hosted them or at least listed them on their events calendar, such as the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine.
We haven’t been able to locate updated information about any celebrations happening this year. Again, if we do get updated info, we’ll add it below.
Biddeford
Just as there are eight crazy nights of Chanukah, Biddeford will have a menorah lighting on each of those nights.
According to Heart of Biddeford (HOB), Biddeford’s Congregation Etz Chaim and HOB are hosting a menorah lighting on the first night of Hanukkah (Wednesday, December 25) at 5:30 p.m. at Lincoln St & Main Street in Biddeford, which is where the community menorah is located. For the remainder of Hanukkah, the menorah will be lit each evening at 5:30 pm. Everyone is welcome.
Brunswick
In the past, Chabad of Brunswick would host the menorah lighting at the Brunswick Town Mall. We’re still waiting for details when this year’s lighting will be happening.
Portland
Typically, Portland City Hall lights its menorah on the first night of Chanukah. They do this in conjunction with Chabad of Maine. This year that would be on Wednesday, December 25 at 4 pm. They call it the Grand Menorah Lighting.
Also in Portland: Jewish Heritage Night with the Maine Mariners hockey team at the Cross Insurance Arena. This event, which includes a menorah lighting after the first period, happens on New Year’s Eve or December 31, at 1 pm.
Westbrook
Chabad of Maine is also responsible for the menorah lighting in Westbrook. That happens at Congress Square Park on Thursday, December 26 at 6:30 pm. Beforehand you can enjoy latkes, hot chocolate and more, from 4 to 6 pm.
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