Hanukkah 2025 in Portland

It’s that time again: Hanukkah 2025, the Festival of Lights! Hanukkah celebrates the miracle that a small amount of oil was able to last for eight days. Fun fact: Hanukkah is not a biblical celebration. 

Here is where you can celebrate, eat festive foods, and enjoy this winter holiday focused on bringing light into the world.

Menorah Lightings | Places To Go | Places To Shop
Parties and Celebrations

Hanukkah 2025 Menorah Lightings

This year we have more menorah lightings to tell you about. They take place at Pioneer Courthouse Square, in Gresham, Troutdale, Multnomah Village, and Vancouver.

Gresham Menorah Lighting

This is the fifth year they’ll be lighting the menorah in downtown Gresham. There will be hot latkes, gelt (chocolate coins) and hot beverages; a live concert with Jack Falk and the Carpathian Pacific Express, a five-piece Klezmer Band; kids crafts and activities; vendors and information about the holiday.

The lighting of the giant menorah takes place on Sunday, December 21 at 4pm.

401 NE Second Street, Gresham. Gresham Hanukkah Festival event page 

Multnomah Village Menorah Lighting and Hanukkah Party

Last year was the first time a public menorah lighting happened in Multnomah Village, and they are back to celebrate again this year. From 2pm to 5pm you’ll get to paint pottery at The Butterfly Effect Art Studio (7829 SW Capitol Highway). There will be Hanukkah foods—last year they had potato latkes and sufganiyot (jelly donuts fried in oil). The band 3 Galitzianers will be there to play klezmer music. 

And then at 4:15pm at the traffic triangle, the Menorah will be lit on its eighth night.

Multiple locations. Multnomah Village Hanukkah Party event website

Portland’s Public Menorah

Organized by Chabad of Oregon, the menorah will be lit at Pioneer Courthouse Square for eight nights starting the evening of Sunday, December 14 to Sunday, December 21. 

On that first night there will be live music, traditional Hanukkah foods, dignitaries, and family festivities. Here is the lighting schedule for the week:

• Sunday, December 14: Festivities begin at 4pm
• Monday, December 15 to Thursday, December 18: 5:30pm
• Friday, December 19: 3pm
• Saturday, December 20: 6:30pm
• Sunday, December 21: 5:30pm

701 SW 6th Avenue, Portland. Portland’s Public Menorah event page 

Troutdale Menorah Lighting

This is the first public menorah lighting for Troutdale. There will be treats (gelt and hot beverages), music, and a speech by Rabbi Dyce and city leaders. It takes place on Sunday, December 14 at 4pm.

114 E Historic Columbia River Highway, Troutdale. Troutdale Menorah Lighting event page 

Vancouver Menorah Lighting

Up in Vancouver on the first night of Hanukkah they will be lighting a 19-foot Grand Menorah at the Waterfront (near Evoke Winery). They’ll have free donuts, festive music, a live ice carving of a menorah, and gelt dropping from the sky! All of this happens between 4pm and 5pm on Sunday, December 14.

650 Waterfront Way, Vancouver. Vancouver Menorah Lighting event page

Hanukkah 2025 Food Options: Places to Go

Here’s to the places that serve latkes, as well as other Jewish American foods.

Babkush

On Thursday and Friday, December 18 and 19, Babkush will offer sufganiyot (jelly donuts cooked in oil) prepared at the site of their upcoming brick & mortar bakery (soft opening December 22 to 26). They will do a Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony at 5:30pm each of those days (that is, December 18 and 19).

Location TBD. Babkush Instagram page

Ben & Esther’s

They have latkes on their normal menu, which means you can get them any time, but they are particularly great at Hanukkah. They will be vegan, of course. Bonus: they make a LEC: Latke Egg and Cheese breakfast sandwich. 

1800 Northeast Alberta Street, Portland. Ben & Esther’s website

Doe Donuts

They are offering Raspberry Sufganiyot all month—so if you didn’t get yours during Hanukkah, you can still enjoy them afterwards until the new year. “5 max limit in store. 6 or more email specialorders@doedonuts.com with 24-36 hours notice.”

4110 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland. Doe Donut website

Henry Higgins Boiled Bagels

Henry Higgins will be at the EJC Hanukkah Night Market (see below) but they also have latkes available on their regular menu. They come with the traditional accoutrements a bit zhuzhed up: sour cream horseradish and apple chutney

Multiple locations. Henry Higgins website

Kachka

The Kachka latke party announcement is out and again, the draniki will flow Saturday, December 13 to Sunday, December 21. This is a potato pancake from Belarus, and there are 12 of them. They’ll also come with accoutrements—no details at this point in time (hopefully there will be so we can update this)(, but last year there was maitake mushroom gravy, salmon roe, eggplant sunflower seed mutabol, smoked whitefish salad, beet & horseradish cured salmon, smetana & chives, and fenugreek apple butter. Every latke party gets a dreidel (with instructions on how to play) and gelt.

$95 per person. Reservations aren’t technically necessary but they are recommended. You can do that on their Open Table page.

960 SE 11th Avenue, Portland. Kachka website

Leikam Brewing

For Hanukkah this year, they’ve brought back the Maccabeer: “This years iteration is brewed with Nelson, Vic Secret, Amarillo, Chinook and McKenzie. Notes of pine, grapefruit, candied orange and pineapple and light herbaceousness. 6.3%”

5812 E Burnside, Portland. Leikam Brewing website

Mother’s Bistro

Their Bubbie’s Deli Board menu features all sorts of NY Deli foods. They have latkes (comes with sour cream or housemade apple sauce), but also traditional Jewish American foods like matzah ball soup; lox, eggs, and onion; and rugelach. 

121 SW 3rd Ave, Portland. Mother’s Bistro website

New Cascadia

This gluten-free bakery is offering sufganiyot for Hanukkah and only for the Hanukkah season: “We serve them only during this season because Sufganiyot are meant to be a once-a-year celebration—warm, nostalgic, and tied to stories of joy, resilience, and cultural connection.” Read more about them on their website.

You can get them now through Wednesday, December 24—walk-ins only. And as they say, “come early. eat many.”

2502 SE Division Street, Portland. New Cascadia website

Hanukkah 2025 Food Options: Places to Shop and Pre-Orders

The number of places to shop for Jewish foods and ingredients for your own Hanukkah celebration have diminished over the years, but here are places where you can do just that.

Bakeshop

Bakeshop offers somewhat unconventional—yet no doubt delicious—offerings, but the connection to the holiday is there. She’s offering an apple and olive oil cake, coconut macaroons, applesauce (good to accompany your latkes at home), and rugelach.

Pre-orders close Thursday, December 11 at 9am, or until sold out. Pick-up your Hanukkah treats on one day only, Sunday December 14 from 8am to 1pm.

5351 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland. Bakeshop website

Blue Star Donuts

Their sufganiyot representative this year is Orange Blossom n’ Berry: “Local Oregon Grower’s mixed berry jam meets fragrant orange blossom water, candied orange, and a touch of sea salt for cozy berry magic in every bite. A playful twist on classic holiday jam-filled donuts, this one’s sweet, floral, and totally chill. If you’re celebrating Hanukkah, this one is perfect for the table.”

Holiday pre-orders are open on their Blue Start Toast page. There’s a lot of clicking to get to the right page with this donut option, ngl. Put in your ZIP and it will bring up the closest Blue Stars to you. Click into any of the 4 or 6 pack options with “you pick!” on them. It’s a dollar extra per Orange Blossom n’ Berry donut.

Multiple locations. Blue Star Donuts webpage

Elephants Deli

They’ve got a Hanukkah menu (here’s the PDF) that includes potato latkes with applesauce, and a mini-laktes tray, which I haven’t seen before. “Bite-sized latkes with a pair of toppings—a classic take with cream cheese and lox, plus a flavorful option topped with date and tamarind chutney. 48 mini latkes serves 6-8.”

Menu is available Saturday, December 13 to Monday, December 22 from 10am to 6pm. All orders must be placed two days prior by 2pm. Pick-up is available from NW 22nd, Cedar Hills, Lake Oswego, and our SE Central Kitchen.

Multiple locations (details here). Elephants Deli website

Zupan’s 

For Hanukkah foods, Zupan’s has you covered. They’ve got brisket, latkes, applesauce, plus knishes, matzah ball soup, and more. 

Online ordering available for in-store pickup Saturday, December 13 to Sunday, December 21. Ordering closes Friday, December 12 at 5pm.

2340 W Burnside Street and 7221 S Macadam Avenue in Portland; 16380 Boones Ferry Road, Lake Oswego. Zupan’s website.

Hanukkah 2025 Markets and Parties

Eastside Jewish Commons Hanukkah Night Market

As they say, “Nosh, sip, dance, mingle, shop.” There will be live music, plenty of latkes to eat (from the folks at Henry Higgins Boiled Bagels) and drink (wine, beer), places to sit, childcare, and gift items. Here’s what last year’s event was like. This year it’s on Saturday, December 13 from 5pm to 8:30pm. Free to attend.

2420 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland. Night Market event page

Hanukkah Party Benefitting EJC

Head over to The People’s Courts for a fundraiser to support the Eastside  Jewish Commons on Wednesday, December 17 from 6pm to 9pm. Tickets are $36 (plus $4.25 fee) for adults and $18 (plus $3.05 fee) for kids, which you can purchase via Eventbrite. 18% of ticket sales support the Eastside Jewish Commons.

“Indulge in pizza, appetizers, crispy latkes, and soft-serve ice cream with unlimited toppings (yes, really!) PLUS bottomless soda to keep the energy high.” There’s pickleball, cornhole, ping pong, and bocce; “A spirited dreidel tournament”; and more. 

2700 NE 82nd Avenue, Portland. Hanukkah Party event page

Light Up the Night! Hanukkah Dance Party

This is the third annual Hanukkah Dance Party at Leikam Brewing. There will be live music and  DJs (Deep-Cut Disco, Electro-Klezmer, Global Groove, Baltic Sounds and more), food and drink (specialty Hanukkah-themed cocktails, mocktails, and food), a festive vibe, and lots of dancing. 

“As the days get darker, we’re turning up the glow—come party with us, spread the light, hit the dance floor, and soak up all the holiday vibes. Delicious themed drinks, tasty treats, and a warm, inclusive community are waiting for you. Wear bright, glowing, or Hanukkah-themed attire: Think white + blue fits, ugly Hanukkah sweaters, disco accessories, face gems, glow sticks, bike lights, EL wire, anything that helps create light!”

The event is on Friday, December, 19. There will be a candle lighting ceremony at 7pm, and the dance party is from 7:30pm to close. Tickets are $10 (plus a  $2.51 fee), which you can purchase via Eventbrite. 21+

5812 East Burnside, Portland. Leikam Brewing website

Updated December 18, 2025 with yet more sufganiyot options.