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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!

Sunday, December 14

Union Square’s 2025 Chanukah Festival: Bill Graham Menorah Day
Sunday, December 14 – 2:00 pm - Ends at 6:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Union Square Park
Union Square's 2025 Chanukah Festival: Bill Graham Menorah Day

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 ...

Monday, December 15

Union Square’s 2025 Chanukah Festival: 25-Foot-Tall Menorah (2nd Night)
Monday, December 15 – 4:45 pm | Cost: FREE | Union Square Park
Union Square's 2025 Chanukah Festival: 25-Foot-Tall Menorah (2nd Night)

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 ...

Tuesday, December 16

Union Square’s 2025 Chanukah Festival: 25-Foot-Tall Menorah (3rd Night)
Tuesday, December 16 – 4:45 pm | Cost: FREE | Union Square Park
Union Square's 2025 Chanukah Festival: 25-Foot-Tall Menorah (3rd Night)

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 ...

2025 Chanukah Party: Giveaways, DJ & Holiday Food
Tuesday, December 16 – 6:30 pm - Ends at 8:00 pm | Cost: FREE | NEMA - SF Luxury Apartments
2025 Chanukah Party: Giveaways, DJ & Holiday Food

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 ...

Wednesday, December 17

2025 Union Square’s Chanukah Festival: 25-Foot-Tall Menorah: 4th Night
Wednesday, December 17 – 4:45 pm | Cost: FREE | Union Square Plaza
2025 Union Square's Chanukah Festival: 25-Foot-Tall Menorah: 4th Night

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 ...

Thursday, December 18

2025 Winter Wonderland Hanukkah Celebration at Thrive City
Thursday, December 18 – 4:00 pm - Ends at 7:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Thrive City Plaza (at Chase Center)
2025 Winter Wonderland Hanukkah Celebration at Thrive City
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 ...
2025 Union Square’s Chanukah Festival: 25-Foot-Tall Menorah: 5th Night
Thursday, December 18 – 8:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Union Square Park
2025 Union Square's Chanukah Festival: 25-Foot-Tall Menorah: 5th Night

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 ...

Friday, December 19

2025 Union Square’s Chanukah Festival: 25-Foot-Tall Menorah: 6th Night
Friday, December 19 – 2:30 pm | Cost: FREE | Union Square Park
2025 Union Square's Chanukah Festival: 25-Foot-Tall Menorah: 6th Night

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 ...

Saturday, December 20

2025 Union Square’s Chanukah Festival: 25-Foot-Tall Menorah: 7th Night
Saturday, December 20 – 8:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Union Square Park
2025 Union Square's Chanukah Festival: 25-Foot-Tall Menorah: 7th Night

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 ...

Sunday, December 21

2025 Union Square’s Chanukah Festival: Grand Finale
Sunday, December 21 – 4:00 pm - Ends at 6:00 pm | Cost: FREE | Union Square Park
2025 Union Square's Chanukah Festival: Grand Finale

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 ...

SF’s Menorah Car Parade 2025
Sunday, December 21 – 6:30 pm | Cost: FREE | Union Square Park
SF's Menorah Car Parade 2025

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 ...


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