Hanukkah begins this year on Sunday (Dec. 22) and will end on Monday (Dec. 30).
Multiple events happening around Herndon invite the community to celebrate and participate in holiday traditions.
The Chanukah Gelt Drop will take place at 5 p.m. at the Herndon Town Hall (730 Station Street). People can come and light the menorah while enjoying chocolate from the local fire department. There will be live music, hot drinks, donuts and latkas. Everyone is welcome to this free event.
The Chanukah Hop to the Donut Shop will take place from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Duck Donuts (300 Elden Street) on Dec. 26 (Thursday). This event is hosted by Growing Jewish Families in Northern Virginia and will feature spinning dreidels, crafts and stories.
The Flip Like a Latke Trampolene Party invites families to Launch Trampoline Park (13348 Franklin Farm Road) from 4:30-6 p.m. for a menorah lighting with a surprise guest, food and raffles. This event is free but there is a suggested $10 donation. All are welcome. No synagogue membership or affiliation is required, according to the event page.
Photo courtesy Chabad Reston-Herndon
Christmas is getting closer, Chanukah is nearly over and pretty lights and carriage rides are for everyone.
There are a bunch of things to do iat Reston Town Center this weekend, however you celebrate.
Mini train rides down Market Street will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Pickup is in front of Talbots. A suggested donation of $5 is appreciated.
Horse-drawn carriage rides beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday (But it will be 60 degrees, so no dashing through the snow). Pick up is in front of Talbots. A $5 donation per person benefits local charity (children 5 and under ride free).
The Reston Chorale will be performing in the Promenade  (by Mon Ami Gabi) at noon and 1 pm. Saturday. Sunday performances include the Northern Virginia Ukulele Society (2 p.m.) and teen band Catchin’ Toads at 3 p.m.
Special screening of A Christmas Story at Bowtie Cinema Reston Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. Fee: $5.50.
The traditional Gingerbread Village will be on display at the Hyatt Regency Reston.
On Sunday, Chabad of Reston-Herndon will mark the end of Chanukah with Chanukah on Ice from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Reston Town Center ice skating pavilion.
There will be ice skating to Chanukah music; a grand menorah lighting to commemorate the end of the holiday; latkes, donuts and gelt; and a grand raffle.
Kosher boxed dinners (hot dog, snack, juice box) available for purchase at $3.50.
The event is free. Skate rentals are $12.
Visit Reston Town Center’s events calendar for a full schedule for December.
Chanukah begins this Sunday at sundown, and there are a couple of festive events for Reston-area Jews next week.
Chabad of Reston-Herndon is hosting its annual Chanukah at Reston Community Center Lake Anne Tuesday, Dec. 8 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Chabad is building a Menorah of Kindness out of Kosher canned food, which will be donated to Cornerstones.
This event is also a memorial to Reston founder Bob Simon, who died in September, says Chabad. Simon traditionally lit the outdoor menorah the last several years.
Participants are encouraged to bring a few cans of food to add to the menorah. There will also be kids activities; latkes, donuts and chocolate gelt; and other holiday cheer for the whole family.
The Chabad Hebrew School will also perform at this free event.
Since Chanukah lasts for eight days, there will be more opportunities for holiday fun.
Chabad is also hosting Chanukah On Ice from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 13 at Reston Town Center’s ice skating rink.
There will be ice skating to Chanukah music; a grand menorah lighting to commemorate the end of the holiday; more latkes, donuts and gelt; and a grand raffle.
Kosher boxed dinners (hot dog, snack, juice box) available for purchase at $3.50.
The event is free. Skate rentals are $12.
Also on Dec. 13, the community is invited to a 4:30 p.m. Chanukah concert with the Robyn Helzner Trio at Congregation Beth Emeth, 12523 Lawyers Rd. in Herndon. The event is part of the congregation’s 36th anniversary celebration. Tickets are $18 on Beth Emeth’s website.
The first night of Chanukah — the Jewish festival of lights — will be celebrated Reston-style at Lake Anne Plaza on Tuesday, Dec 16.
Chabad of Reston-Herndon is hosting its annual Chanukah Extravaganza, a free event for the whole family on the first night of Chanukah. The fun begins at 5:30 p.m.
Here is what you need to know:
Bring canned goods (Kosher, please) to the event and help build a giant Menorah of Kindness. The food will later be donated to help those in need.
There will be arts and crafts, Chanukah chocolate making, face painting, dreidel playing, and of course, menorah lighting.
Among the holiday treats: potato latkes, donuts and chocolate gelt.
There will also be a raffle to win a tablet computer.
More Chanukah fun nearby:
Sunday, Dec. 21 — Chanukah on the Green in Herndon at 5:30 p.m. Chabad’s Chanukah on the Green will take place at 730 Lynn St. in Old Town Herndon. The free event will also feature Chanukah food and fun.
Sunday, Dec. 21 — Light up the Night: Community Menorah Lighting at Mosaic District (2910 District Ave. in Fairfax, VA, outside the Angelika theater, 4:30 p.m.
Join the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia for a holiday celebration with a candle lightings, songs, entertainment, eating suganiyot (donuts) and gelt and spinning the dreidel! Free admission and free parking.
Photo: Reston founder Bob Simon lights the Menorah at previous Lake Anne Chanukah celebration/Photo courtesy of Chabad Reston-Herndon
