Where to Celebrate Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights in Los Angeles

For the uninitiated, the Jewish Festival of Lights is known as "Hanukkah" (or, more traditionally, "Chanukah") — and every December, it's comprised of eight nights' worth of celebrations.

It's all part of a rich historical and cultural tradition — one that's dedicated to light prevailing over darkness, both literally and figuratively. Hence the lighting of the menorah (or sacred candle holder with seven branches) and, in some communities, public menorah lightings.

But that's not all — because you'll also find fried foods (in honor of the oil that lasted for eight nights in the Hanukkah miracle), chocolate coins known as gelt and spinning top toys known as dreidels.

Many local Angelenos of the Jewish faith will find a number of Hanukkah celebrations at their local Jewish center or chabad — but there are also plenty of celebrations that bring the Festival of Light traditions out into the public for all to enjoy, no matter what your religious background is (or lack thereof).

Here's where you can come together to experience this annual celebration in Los Angeles, with events this year running Dec. 18 (the first night of Hanukkah) through Dec. 26 (the final day of Hanukkah, which ends at sunset).

1. Original Farmers Market, Los Angeles

The Original Farmers Market has been a shopping destination for the Jewish communities of the Fairfax District since it first went into business in 1934. After all, it's just steps away from the Beverly Fairfax Historic District, which has been recognized on a national level for its deep roots in Jewish-American history — including as a sanctuary for Holocaust survivors post-World War II.

PJ Library in Los Angeles, which encourages reading by sending free books to Jewish families, will host an afternoon of Chanukah fun for attendees of all faiths at the Original Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax in L.A. on Dec. 18 from 3 to 5 p.m.

In addition to the lighting of a giant ice menorah (in conjunction with Miracle Mile Chabad), there will also be an ice sculpting demonstration, art activities for kids, and a family-friendly performance by local musician Jason Mesches at 4:30 p.m.

The activities can be found at the Market Plaza, next to the clock tower. You can park for free for 90 minutes in the Farmers Market surface parking lot with validation from one of the merchants (but not at The Grove and not with validation from any Grove merchant).

Bonus: Beverly Center, Los Angeles

Chabad of WeHo West is partnering with Beverly Center on its first-ever Hanukkah Celebration, featuring live music, arts and crafts and more. It takes place Dec. 19 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the mall's Grand Court. Park in the structure (for a fee) and take the escalator or elevator up to Level 6. Valet parking also available from the West Third Street entrance.

2. Hanukkah Family Festival, Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles

The mission of the Skirball Cultural Center is deeply rooted in Jewish heritage — and the cultural institution operates under the guidance of six essential Jewish values, including honoring memory, building community, seeking learning and welcoming the stranger. As a place of meeting, it welcomes people from all communities to learn, share and connect — and the time of Hanukkah is no exception.

Skirball's Hanukkah Family Festival, which takes place on Dec. 18 from 2 to 5:30 p.m. — welcomes families of all backgrounds to enjoy music with Klezmer rockers Mostly Kosher in the Taper Courtyard (shows at 3 and 4:30 p.m.), a Hanukkah photo booth in Ahmanson Hall's Murphy Foyer and stories with theatrical performances by Skirball Storytellers, who'll recount the age-old story of Hanukkah in the Founder's Courtyard (with ASL interpretation) at 2:15, 3:15 and 4 p.m.

Guests can also enjoy latkes and jelly donuts (a.k.a. sufganiyot) as the menorah is lit at sundown (5 p.m.) in the Taper Courtyard. The museum is open until 6 p.m., and limited tickets for the "Fabric of a Nation: American Quilt Stories" exhibit will be available for purchase at the front desk.

3. LUNAR Collective’s Asian Jewish Hanukkah Celebration, Pan Pacific Park, Los Angeles

LUNAR Collective is celebrating the last day of Hanukkah on Monday, Dec. 26 at 1 p.m. with its Asian Jewish Hanukkah Celebration. Part of a citywide Hanukkah festival called Infinite Light (powered by NuRoots, an initiative of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles), this event specifically celebrates both identity and culture — welcoming both Asian Jews and their plus-ones of any identity to join in on Hanukkah traditions (including chocolate gelt and candle lighting). And in the spirit of “Jewish Christmas,” they'll also be providing a Chinese food lunch.

The organization defines Asian American Jews as those who identify as both Asian American and Jewish — including those of mixed-race origins, transracial adoptees, Asian Jews by Choice, in-progress Jewish converts and more. RSVP in advance online.

Pan Pacific Park is also where you can find the Holocaust Museum LA, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day (although it's closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day). The museum will also be co-presenting a menorah lighting the next block over at The Grove — featuring a guest appearance by Holocaust survivor Joseph Alexander — on Dec. 20 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

4. Chanukah Menorah Lighting, Beverly Cañon Gardens, Beverly Hills

Located just outside the Maybourne Hotel Beverly Hills (the former Montage Hotel), Beverly Cañon Gardens will be the site of a free Hanukkah party hosted by JEM Community Center of Beverly Hills on Dec. 18 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

In addition to the lighting of the grand menorah, visitors can also enjoy face painting, refreshments (hot latkes and donuts), raffles and more. Every child will receive a free gift.

Admission is free, but it's recommended that you reserve your spot(s) online ahead of time.

5. Downtown Santa Monica

If you'll be spending Hanukkah in Santa Monica (wearing sandals lighting candles by the sea), look no further than its downtown — where local synagogues and community groups gather every year for nightly menorah lightings.

This year, the lightings will brighten the 1400 block of Third Street Promenade (between Santa Monica Boulevard and Broadway) from Dec. 18 through Dec. 25 at sundown.

There will be another menorah at Santa Monica Place to be lit all eight nights of Hanukkah as well, around 5:45 p.m. (Note that Santa Monica Place closes on Christmas Eve Dec. 24 at 6 p.m. and is closed on Christmas Day, Dec. 25.)

6. Multiple Events, Culver City

The Jewish Community of Culver City - Chabad — a.k.a. Chabad of Culver City — has a schedule that's bursting with events throughout the eight nights of Hanukkah, including free menorah lightings at The Culver Steps (Dec. 18 at 4:30 p.m.), Platform LA (Dec. 19 at 5:30 p.m., featuring a special gelt drop by the Culver City Fire Department), The Shay Hotel (Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m.), Ivy Station (Dec. 21 at 5:30 p.m.) and the courtyard at Culver City Hall (Dec. 25 at 4:30 p.m.).

To let them know you're coming (required for The Shay) you can register for free online.