World's Largest Hanukkah Menorah Lighting

What: Both the Manhattan and Brooklyn Grand Army Plazas host competitors in the race for the World’s Largest Hanukkah Menorah. Gather around the 32-foot-high, gold-colored, 4,000-pound steel holiday icon across the street from The Plaza hotel (Manhattan) to kick off the Jewish Festival of Lights; lightings for that one generally take place at 5:30pm, though it's around 3:30pm on Friday Dec. 30 and 8pm on Saturday, bookending the Sabbath. For eight nights, there will be hot latkes, Hanukkah donuts, music, dreidels, and gifts for children.
Across the East River, go to the top of Prospect Park to see its similarly sized rival illuminated; lightings are at 6pm most evenings, with Friday’s at 3:30pm and Saturday’s at 7pm. The Brooklyn organizers typically host a kickoff concert prior to the lighting on Hanukkah’s first night, at which they serve potato pancakes.
When: Saturday Dec. 24, 2016
Where: Manhattan: 5th Ave & 59th St.  |  Brooklyn: Grand Army Plaza at Eastern Pkwy