Union Square’s 2024 Chanukah Festival: Bill Graham Menorah Day
>> Want to see our Top Picks for this week instead?
Union Square Park | Geary and Powell, San Francisco, CA
Free / Learn More
Submitted by the Event Organizer
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
- 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!
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
