As the first candle is lit on menorahs across Budapest at sunset this Sunday, the city’s Jewish community observes the Festival of Lights for eight days and nights with varied events of joyful cheer. From open-air ceremonies to diverse concerts to delicious feasts, there are many ways to observe Hanukkah in Budapest during December 6-14 – here are a few spirited gatherings that offer a warm welcome to everyone.

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Menorah-lighting ceremonies

At multiple locations across Budapest, people gather just after sunset on each day of Hanukkah to bask in the glowing light of increasingly more candles being lit on public menorahs. At in the heart of Pest’s , a different candle is lit at 6pm every evening during December 6-14 as onlookers enjoy traditional sufganiyot doughnuts and play dreidel games; a lucky pair of guests will win a trip to the Israeli resort of Eilat. Meanwhile, a huge menorah becomes the centerpiece of Nyugati Square during Hanukkah celebrations happening there with live music at 6pm on each day during December 6-14.

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Negyed7Negyed8 Festival

Translating to “District7District8” – two Budapest quarters that are home to much of the city’s Jewish population – the Negyed7Negyed8 Festival presents a wildly diverse program of Hanukkah events at varied venues, ranging from film screenings to English-language walking tours to a “New Klezmer Disco” party. Most of the festival’s celebrations take place at the Auróra community center (including live concerts and DJ sets), but other gatherings are happening at the English-language bookstore and the laid-back café. Check out the official Negyed7Negyed8 Festival website (in Hungarian) for details.

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Hanukkah feasts

A highlight of Hanukkah is indulging in satisfying Jewish gastronomy for eight days in a row, and Budapest features many places where this culinary commemoration is heartily encouraged. For anyone who wants to learn in-depth details about the dining customs affiliated with this holiday here, Taste Hungary – the country’s leading food-focused tour agency – hosts an intimate “Annotated Chanukah Dinner” taking place at a private apartment to showcase classic Jewish-Hungarian dishes, served with fine wines and homemade pálinka brandy on December 8th at 6pm. Meanwhile, on every day of Hanukkah the new Concerto Café in Pest’s Jewish Quarter offers delicious hamin (traditional Jewish stew), while serves a special selection of vegetable latkes and “holiday bar food”.