Happy Hanukkah, Pembroke Pines. Light up your holiday week with these events
Chag urim sameach, Pembroke Pines! Hanukkah is upon us and, with it, several events to celebrate the week-long holiday in and near the city.
This year, the Festival of Lights runs from sundown Sunday, Dec. 14, to sundown Monday, Dec. 22, and commemorates the rededication of Jerusalem’s Second Temple following its occupation by the Greek-Syrian army in the second century BCE.
According to Hebrew tradition, when Jewish officials attempted to purify the temple by lighting the ner tamid (a constantly burning flame), they only found a small jar of sacred oil.
Though the supply only provided enough fuel for one day, the flame remained burning for eight, resulting in the Hanukkah miracle that’s been celebrated for generations since.
How does Pembroke Pines plan to celebrate? A motorcade, chocolate coin (also know as gelt) drop and endless supplies of latkes and jelly doughnuts are just some of what the city has in store.
Here’s your roundup of Hanukkah 2025 events in Pembroke Pines:
Light Up Pembroke Pines parade
Chabad of Pembroke Pines kicks off the Festival of Lights with a car parade Sunday, Dec. 14, at 5:30 p.m. The motorcade will start at the Young Israel Chabad Century Village — located at 13600 SW 10th St. — and end at City Hall, where a giant menorah lighting, juggling show, doughnuts, latkes, music and a gelt drop near the Pembroke Pines Fire Department will follow. Registering your car is free and comes with a magnet menorah to mount on your ride; sponsorship packages range from $36 to $100.
Info: https://www.jewishpines.com
Chanukah Party
For pre-parade fun, visit Young Israel Chabad Century Village at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14, for a Chanukah Party before the motorcade begins. Holiday-themed crafts, bingo and a menorah lighting complement a Chinese buffet, latkes and jelly donuts. Tickets are $18 per person.
Info: https://sunshinecirclefl.com
Candle lighting ceremony
Drop by Pembroke Pines Jewish Center for a candle lighting ceremony featuring city dignitaries Sunday, Dec. 14, from 1 to 2 p.m. Mayor Angelo Castillo and Vice Mayor Mike Hernandez will speak at the event, Rabbi Schonblum isa slated to tell the Hanukkah story and choral group The International Singers will lead a sing-a-long of traditional holiday songs. Attendees can enjoy coffee, tea and jelly doughnuts post-ceremony.
Info: https://www.pembrokepinesjewishcenter.com
Chanukah Festival
Prepare to close out the week-long festivities with Chabad of Pembroke Pines’ Chanukah Festival at Pembroke Gardens on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 5 p.m. The shopping center will be host to a grand menorah lighting, giveaways and prizes, face painting, crafts, latkes and doughnuts. Admission is free and open to the public, with sponsorship opportunities available.
Info: https://www.jewishpines.com
Hanukkah events in neighboring cities
Got time to go past city limits? Check out these events neighboring Pembroke Pines to add to your schedule:
Joyful Chanukah Celebration in Miramar
For a midweek celebration, visit this Wednesday, Dec. 17, Hanukkah bash at the Miramar Town Center co-hosted by the city and Chabad of Pembroke Pines. Enjoy a giant menorah lighting, traditional fare, face painting, snow cones and popcorn, juggling performances, dreidel giveaways and a visit from Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam. Admission is free and open to the public with registration.
Info: https://www.eventbrite.com
Hanukkah family face and glow party in Cooper City
Cooper City’s Temple Beth Emet takes a running start to Hanukkah on Sunday, Dec. 14, hosting an all-ages family race at 2 p.m. from its parking lot, located at 4807 S. Flamingo Road. Participating in the trot comes with a T-shirt and admission to the synagogue’s evening glow party. If you’re looking to skip the sweat, enjoy the glow party — and its dancing, games, crafts, latkes, gelt drop, photo booth, dreidel hunt and rooftop menorah lighting — from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Entry fees for both events vary for synagogue members and non-members.
Info: https://www.templebethemet.org
Fire on Ice Chanukah Festival in Davie
Chabad of West Davie opens the week with its Fire on Ice Chanukah Festival on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 4:30 p.m. On the schedule are menorah ice sculpting, slushies, latkes, live music, a firetruck gelt drop and jelly donuts. Admission is free and open to the public.
Info: https://www.chabadofwestdavie.com
Chanukah Menorah Parade in Davie
Keep the menorah flame burning Tuesday, Dec. 17, with Chabad of West Davie’s menorah parade at 4 p.m. The motorcade of classic cars and Davie Police Department patrol car escorts departs from Oakhill Equestrian Park and ends at the Bamford Sports Complex, where a grand menorah lighting will take place at 5:30 p.m. Registering your car is free, but sponsorship opportunities are available and encouraged.
Info: https://www.chabadofwestdavie.com
46th Chanukah Festival in Davie
Head to Davie’s Rick Case Arena for Chabad of South Broward’s 46th Chanukah Festival on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 7 p.m. The bash will include a Jewish concert with performances by Zusha, 8th Day, Avraham Fried and Joey Newcomb as well as the lighting of a menorah the chabad claims is Florida’s largest. Tickets range from $12-$250.
Info: https://www.tickettailor.com
This story was originally published December 10, 2025 at 8:35 AM.
