For eight days, Judaism gets pretty lit. And metro Atlanta is no exception.
There will be fried potato pancakes called “latkes” along with jelly-filled doughnuts called “sufganiyot” and, more recently, gifts.
READ | Alon's Bakery chef has a golden touch with homespun Hanukkah pastries
Hanukkah, known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day celebration that folks all over the metro area will be marking the occasion with the lighting of giant menorahs.
Menorahs are religious candelabras with nine spots for candles, one lights the other eight.
Displays of the giant variety usually use lightbulbs.
Check out where and when these will be happening below. Sorry if we forgot to list one. And if you don't like any of the options, then buy your own giant menorah for $1,699.
Intown
• Atlantic Station
Once again, Chabad Intown will host the annual menorah lighting at Atlantic Station, 1380 Atlantic Drive NW. This year, it'll be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 4. There will be music, dreidels, doughnuts and latkes.
All children who RSVP online will get a free Hanukkah gift.
• Atlanta Botanical Garden
The Temple is hosting a Hanukkah celebration in the Atlanta Botanical, 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, on Dec. 4.
There will be three lighting times: 6 to 6:45 p.m., 7:15 to 8 p.m. and 8:15 to 9 p.m.
Plan for crafts, light refreshments, a gelt-eating contest and a song session for children.
You'll have to pay to get in, and prices vary. You can RSVP online.
READ | Celebrate Hanukkah in Atlanta with these recipes, sufganiyot and more
• Poncey-Highlands
Ponce City Market and Chabad Intown are hosting a lighting Dec. 5 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the market.
There will be latkes, doughnuts, live music and children's activities, according to the Facebook event.
• Virginia Highlands
YEAH! BURGER will host a menorah lighting and Hanukkah party on Dec. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m., according to a listing. There will be music, dreidels, doughnuts and latkes.
• Georgia Tech
To kick off the eight days, folks will be lighting a nine-foot-tall menorah at the Kessler Campanile, 355 North Ave. NE, according to a Facebook event, from 6 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 2.
Tech's President George Peterson will light the first candle. Those who attend will get a menorah of their own.
There will be latkes, doughnuts, gelt and hot drinks.
• Georgia State University
Students at Georgia State can also get hype for the lighting of a nine-foot-tall menorah, according to a Facebook event. This one will be Dec. 4 from 6 to 7 p.m. outside the student center, 55 Gilmer St. SE.
GSU's Vice President Douglass Covey will light the first candle.
There will also be latkes, doughnuts, gelt and hot drinks.
One difference from Tech: Prodezra, an Orthodox rapper, will be performing.
Cobb County
• Acworth
The city is hosting a menorah lighting Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. downtown at the corner of Cowan Road and Main Street.
Rabbi Zalman Charytan from the Chabad Jewish Center of Kennesaw will officiate the lighting with Acworth Mayor Tommy Allegood helping out.
A reception at Dogwood Forest of Acworth, 4461 S. Main St., follows.
• Marietta
Glover Park and Marietta Square make up the heart of the city, so it's an obvious place to bring some light.
Congregation Ner Tamid will hold a menorah lighting there from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., which is after Shabbat ends, on Dec. 8, according to a Facebook event listing.
There will be free hot chocolate, jelly doughnuts and a cash door prize.
The synagogue advises people to arrive early for free parking on local streets or the Cherokee Street municipal garage.
READ | Exploring Jewish food traditions for Hanukkah
• Kennesaw State
Have a hooty hoo Hanukkah on Dec. 3 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. with the Chabad at Kennesaw State University.
The lighting will be on the Campus Green, according to a Facebook event. There will be hot drinks, lakes, doughnuts, dreidels and gelt.
Credit: Yvonne Zusel
Credit: Yvonne Zusel
• Smyrna
Join the metal frogs at city hall for the lighting of a giant menorah, hosted by Chabad of Cobb. Be there, 2800 King St., at 6 p.m. on Dec. 6. The program is expected to last 45 minutes.
DeKalb County
• Decatur Square
Another kickoff event, there will be a lighting at 4 p.m. on Dec. 2 in the center of Decatur, the Square. This is also hosted by Chabad Intown, and folks can RSVP online.
• Dunwoody
The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta is hosting menorah lightings at three days of free events on Dec. 3, Dec. 4 and Dec. 5, according to a listing.
The JCC is located at 5342 Tilly Mill Road. You can RSVP online.
• Dunwoody
Congregation Beth Shalom is holding a free family Hanukkah party with lighting Dec. 9 from 5 to 7 p.m., according to a flyer.
The shul, 5303 Winters Chapel Road, will have games along with a photo booth and snow globe making.
North Fulton
• Avalon
You could start Hanukkah at Boulevard East, according to a Facebook event, which is located in front of Brine Seafood Shack.
The Chabad of North Fulton is hosting the Dec. 2. event at Avalon from 5 to 6 p.m.
READ | Exploring Atlanta's kosher restaurant and food scene
• Milton
Folks in the Milton/Crabapple area can head to the city's Broadwell Pavilion on Dec. 6 for a menorah lighting, according to a listing for the event.
The event runs from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the pavilion, 12615 Broadwell Road.
There will be snacks along with entertainment for children.
• Roswell
Temple Kehillat Chaim is holding a free event and menorah lighting, according to a listing from the synagogue.
The event will be Dec. 5 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the shul, 1145 Green St.
There will be jelly doughnuts and crafts for children. Organizers said RSVPs are appreciated.
Gwinnett County
• Peachtree Corners
If you're still looking for a place to enjoy the first night of Hanukkah this year, consider The Forum Peachtree Parkway.
Chabad of Gwinnett is hosting a lighting from 6 to 7 p.m., according to a Facebook event.
Folks can RSVP online.
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