Home » **Annual Event**, *Top Pick*, Fairs & Festivals, Hanukkah, In Person, San Francisco, Tree + Holiday Lightings

2025 Winter Wonderland Hanukkah Celebration at Thrive City

Thursday, December 18, 2025 - 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | Cost: FREE
Thrive City Plaza (at Chase Center) | 1725 3rd St, San Francisco, CA

Free / Learn More

Union Square’s 2025 Chanukah Festival: 25-Foot-Tall Menorah (Dec. 14-22)

Lighting it up since 1975, San Francisco celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first giant public menorah outside Israel, a landmark Bill Graham project that went on to inspire thousands of menorahs around the world. This year’s eight-night festival brings music, community gatherings, and nightly ceremonies honoring leaders and traditions across the Jewish community.

Union Square Menorah Lighting Schedule 2025

December 14-22, 2025


Sunday, December 14

Bill Graham Menorah Day

  • 2:00-6:30 pm – 1st Lighting Ceremony
  • 2:30-4:30 pm – Dreidel House Children’s Crafts
  • 2:00 pm – Children’s Chanukah Show by Isaac Zones
  • 3:15 pm – Shamati Live
  • 4:30-6:30 pm – Bill Graham All Stars featuring Jordan Feinstein (keys/vocals, Jordan and the Ritual), Byron Rynes (guitar, Grateful for the Blues), Aaron Kaplan (guitar), Ben Bernstein (bass), Michael Bogart (trumpet, formerly Tower of Power), and Greg Errico (drums, original Sly and the Family Stone)
  • 5:00 pm – Menorah Lighting Ceremony honoring SF Mayor Daniel Lurie, Rabbi Brian Lurie, State Senator Scott Wiener, Felix Vulis and Family, David Graham, Danny Scher, Friends of Bill, dignitaries and special guests

Monday, December 15

  • 5:00 pm – 2nd Lighting Ceremony


Tuesday, December 16

  • 5:00 pm – 3rd Lighting Ceremony honoring the Klaber and Krug Family
  • 6:30-8:00 pm – Chanukah Party at NEMA, 8 10th Street
    email to RSVP. Chanukah giveaways, festive holiday food, and DJ Malki.

Wednesday, December 17

  • 5:00 pm – 4th Lighting Ceremony honoring the SFPD and the Dryan/Bernstein Family
  • 8:00 pm – YJP Chanukah LUX @ Madarae (Tickets)

Thursday, December 18

  • 4:00-7:00 pm – Thrive City event (RSVP and more details)
  • 8:00 pm – 5th Lighting Ceremony in Union Square

Friday, December 19

  • 2:30 pm – 6th Lighting Ceremony


Saturday, December 20

  • 8:00 pm – 7th Lighting Ceremony
    Includes a Musical Havdalah Ceremony with Rabbi Shmulik Friedman, honoring the YJP Community.


Sunday, December 21

  • 4:00 pm – Live Music
  • 5:00 pm – 8th Lighting Ceremony (Grand Finale) honoring the Russian Jewish Speaking Community and the wider Jewish Community
    Co Sponsor: Shalom Bayit
  • 6:30 pm – SF Menorah Car Parade
    Email to RSVP, launch site info, and to get a menorah for your car or ride aboard the Mitzvah Cable Car straight from Union Square!

Celebrate the Festival of Lights with us at Thrive City’s Winter Wonderland Hanukkah Celebration! Join us for a memorable evening as we light the menorah followed by live entertainment including music from Jerry’s Kosher Deli All Star Band, festive treats, and arts & crafts. Ice skating will also be open on a first-come, first-served basis, pending on weather conditions.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.


Cost: FREE
Categories: **Annual Event**, *Top Pick*, Fairs & Festivals, Hanukkah, In Person, San Francisco, Tree + Holiday Lightings
Address: 1725 3rd St, San Francisco, CA

Thursday, December 18, 2025

8:40 am   SF’s Alcatraz Night Tour: Alcatraz Island + World-Renowned Cellhouse  $47.95
10:00 am   Union Square’s Festive “Winter Walk” 2025 (Dec. 13-24)  FREE
4:00 pm   Thrive City’s “Winter Wonderland” 2025 Hanukkah Celebration (SF)  FREE
5:00 pm   “On Ellis” SF’s Free Electronic Music Block Party (Third Thursdays)  FREE*
*N/A
6:00 pm   Free “Loteria” Game Night (Mexican Bingo) in The Mission  FREE*
*Free with food or drink purchase
6:00 pm   SF’s Holiday “Castro Wine Walk” (2025)  $40*
*$40 for one or $70 for 2 (Better Together!)
6:00 pm   Flight Club: Adult Flight Night for Ages 18+ at “House of Air” Trampoline Park (SF)  $20*
*Pricing is Per Hour, House of Air Grip Socks are required to jump.
6:00 pm   Casamigos Tequila Mixology Class at Underdogs Cantina (SF)  $22.99*
*$22.99 (fees included) - Grab a friend and get 2 tickets for $39.49 only (fees included)
6:30 pm   SF’s Weekly Jeopardy Bar League: Trivia + Prizes (Woodbury)  FREE*
*Free all night
7:00 pm   Free “HellaSecret” Comedy Night @ Secret Bar (Oakland)  FREE*
*Limited free tickets with code FUNCHEAP (donations appreciated). Otherwise use code FUNCHEAP5 for $5 off early bird and general admission tickets
7:00 pm   Hecklers Welcome: SF’s First Stand-Up Comedy Show That Invites Heckling  FREE*
*Free with RSVP
7:30 pm   Yo-Ho-Ho, Not Ho-Ho-Ho: Sea Shanties Lead a Full Holiday Carol Mutiny (Oakland)  FREE*
*Free - but we pass the hat before we PASS OUT!
8:00 pm   Free Comedy Dating Game Show + Afterparty (The Faight Collective)  FREE*
*For free tickets - Just sign up at knowndating.com/onboarding to complete the call, and then add yourself for the waitlist for the ticket option for "Known Members"!
8:00 pm   2025 Union Square’s Chanukah Festival: 25-Foot-Tall Menorah: 5th Night  FREE
8:15 pm   Jane Frank’s First Release in 7 Years: Live Show (SF)  $20
9:00 pm   16th & Mission Open Mic (w/out a mic)  FREE*
*Absolutely free for all!
9:00 pm   Every Thursday: “Inner Circle” Dance Party at White Rabbit (SF)  FREE*
*Inner Circle is always Free with RSVP
9:00 pm   Free Drum & Bass Party: Kinetik + Shadow Spirit (SF)  FREE*
*FREE ALL NIGHT!
9:00 pm   $5 Off: “San Francisco Tonight” Comedy Show in The Mission (SF)  $11.94*
*FUNCHEAP discount code for $5 off. Normally 17.12.
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