Ripple Effect
7th Annual Rabbi Bulka Chanukah Toy Drive
December 1 - 18
Bring joy, love and warmth to children affected by loss, illness, trauma, and special needs. We also deliver to those affected by food and security. Toy Box locations: Congregation Machzikei Hadas, Loblaws College Square, Ottawa Jewish Community School, Torah Day School of Ottawa and the Soloway JCC.
Contact: Bassy Mendelsohn at [email protected]

Ottawa Jewish Community School 
Chanukah Community Painting Night
December 7
Families and friends will enjoy a guided painting session led by an artist, creating Chanukah-themed masterpieces to take home.
Sorry, this event is full! Powered by a Jewish Federation of Ottawa Microgrant

Chabad of Wellington West
Jewish Women's Chanukah Spin and Social
December 8
7:30 - 9 pm
Join us for a warm and joyful evening of connection, community and fun!
🎁 Gift Exchange & Dreidel Game - Bring a wrapped gift valued at $15 or more, and enjoy a lively dreidel game.
🍩 Delicious Treats - Savor fresh donuts, hot chocolate, and more!
Free. Address on RSVP
Register here

JET Ottawa
What Is Chanukah All About?
December 10
7 - 8:30 pm
Community Event. Step into a warm and festive Chanukah evening filled with glowing menorah lights, the sweet aroma of fresh donuts, and the joyful spin of colorful dreidels! Free • Open to all ages
Two inspiring mini-sessions:
🕎 Miracle on Temple Street with Rabbi Zischa Shaps
🕎 How Do We Keep Chanukah Today? with Rabbi Michael Altonaga
Come for the donuts, stay for the inspiration!
Register here
1762 Carling Ave.

Jewish Federation of Ottawa
Young Adult Hanukkah Ball
December 11
7:30 pm
Come dressed to impress as we celebrate the holiday in style and gather for an elegant evening with music, dancing, and community. There will be a DJ, appetizers, drinks, non-stop music and more! Exclusive downtown location shared upon registrationCost $25
Chairs: Larissa Schoeni, Aliza Itskovich, Jenna Trevor-Deutsch, Elisabeth Levin, and Inbal Kirshner
Contact Oren at [email protected]
Register here

Temple Israel Religious School
Latke Party Shabbat
December 12
5:30 - 7:30 pm
Join us for a latke party.
Contact: [email protected]
1315 Prince of Wales Dr.

Chabad of Centrepointe
Pre-Chanukah Shabbat Dinner
December 12
5:30 - 8:30 pm
Rabbi Chaim and Bassy Mendelsohn invite you to a warm, family-friendly Shabbat dinner with songs and inspiration. Limited seats available. $36/adult $15/child
To RSVP, text "SHABBAT DINNER" to 613-618-3843
23 Palisade St.

Chabad of Wellington West
Menorah Selfie Scavenger 
Dec 14 - Dec 22
In Westboro and Wellington West, local shops will be displaying electric menorahs in their storefronts—just look for the glow! 
How to participate:
📸 Take a selfie with at least three menorahs displayed in participating shops.
🎟️ Submit your photos for a chance to win Ottawa Senators tickets in our raffle!
More info

PJ Library, Soloway JCC, Ganon Preschool
Let it Glow Family Hanukkah Party with Silent Disco!
December 14
2 - 4 pm
Join Federation, SJCC, Ganon and Hakibbutz for a magical event as we celebrate the first night of Hanukkah! Enjoy exciting glow-in-the dark crafts and activities, and, of course, indulge in delicious traditional sufganiyot. Dress in all white or neon colours to really shine bright and dance to a silent disco with your own headset from Dynamix Productions. This event is supported by the Appotive Grandparents Legacy Initiative of the Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation.
Register here  
Soloway JCC, 21 Nadolny Sachs Pvt.

Chabad of Centrepointe
Chanukah Menorah Lighting and Wonderland
December 14
3 - 6 pm
Join us for an amazing event! Featuring Chanukah activities, Menorah lighting with local dignitaries, ice skating (weather permitting), Gelt drop, lively music, crafts, juggler, toddler area, popcorn, cotton candy, hot churro food truck, hot latkes, hot chocolate, face painting and lots of fun! Free, but there is a charge for churros for sale.
Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Dr.
More info

Young Israel
Wine &Cheese Chanukah Party
December 14
7:30 - 9:30 pm
Enjoy selection of kosher wines, gourmet cheeses, and light refreshments as we gather to celebrate the spirit of the holiday together. The evening will include fresh sufganiyot prepared on-site by Chef Dov Korch and inspiring words of Torah to enrich our Chanukah experience. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with friends, meet new people from across the community, and enjoy a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Register here

Congregation Machzikei Hadas
Spread the Light: A Joyous Chanukah Chesed Celebration
December 14
4:30 - 6:30 pm
Join young families from across the city for an unforgettable Chanukah Chesed Celebration! Enjoy a Glow-in-the-Dark wonderland, high-energy dancing, meaningful crafts, a special kids’ menorah lighting with Rabbi Scher, and a delicious dairy pizza dinner (with gluten-free and dairy-free options). A magical, joy-filled evening for all ages!
Cost: $15
Register here
2310 Virginia Dr.

Chabad of Wellington West
JUDA olive press
December 14
10 - 11:45 am
Children will step back in time to the days of the Maccabees, rolling up their sleeves to crush and press real olives and create their own pure olive oil. This hands-on, fun-filled program brings the miracle of Chanukah to life in a way kids will never forget!
Register here

Temple Israel Ottawa
FROSTY Murder Mystery
December 14
2 - 5 pm
Ottawa Jewish teens (grades 9-12) come join FROSTY for a Hannukah party! We will be solving a murder at the speakeasy (ie Temple Israel). This is a role play murder mystery as we try to figure out whodunit while we eat sufganiyot! Email [email protected] to sign up and be assigned a character. For more FROSTY visit

Kehillat Beth Israel
KBI's Hypnotic Chanukah
December 14
3 - 7:30 pm
A program for all ages! Special guest “That Hypnotist Guy”.
Includes children's activity stations, candle lighting and songs with Cantor Green at 5:15 pm and Chanukah dinner at 6:16 pm. Cost: $54 per person / $125 per family
Register here

Temple Israel Ottawa
Menorah Lighting / Chanu-ski-ah
December 14
5 - 6 pm
Temple is going on the road! Join us for the Chanukah tour as we bring our famous homemade Chanu-ski-ah for a tour west and north. We’ll light, sing, nosh and shmooze. In case of cold, we’ll have hot chocolate ready!
Location: Larkin House in Barrhaven
Contact [email protected]

Chabad of Wellington West
Chanukah in Gatineau
December 15
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Join us for our annual Chanukah celebration in Gatineau! Enjoy a wonderful evening filled with great food, fun games, music, community spirit, and so much more. A great event for the entire family! Free but RSVP required - location will be shared with registrants.
Register here

AJA 50+ and Jewish Family Services (JFS)
Hanukkah Party for Seniors
December 16
11:30 am - 2 pm
Join us again this year -- join your friends and meet new people as we sing, dance, listen to music and eat a delicious lunch. Cost $18
Contact Sheila Osterer at 613-286-3336 or [email protected]
Register here
Kehillat Beth Israel, 1400 Coldrey Ave.

Ottawa Jewish Community School
Family Chanukah Celebration
December 16
6 - 7:30 pm
OJCS Family Chanukah Celebration
31 Nadolny Sachs Pvt.
Contact Sarah Byrne at 613-722-0020 x1 or 
[email protected]

Young Israel of Ottawa
Women to Women: Lights of Chanukah
December 16
6:45 - 8:45 pm
We  invite women from across the community to come together in celebration of light, music, and shared inspiration. This uplifting evening features the Kol Miriam Choir performing traditional and contemporary Jewish and Chanukah songs, storytelling by Nofech Maranz, and a menorah lighting led by Rabbi T. For women and girls.
Register here Powered by a Jewish Federation of Ottawa Microgrant

Chabad of Centrepointe
Chanukah on Parliament Hill for Parliamentary Staff
December 16
4:30 - 6 pm
Come together with the Jewish community to celebrate Chanukah on Parliament Hill. Members of parliament from all parties will be invited to represent their party. Let's spread the miracle of Chanukah and light of the menorah. No cost. For security reasons must RSVP to Rabbi Chaim Mendelsohn at 613-218-8505 or [email protected]
Sponsor: Canadian Federation of Chabad Lubavitch

Temple Israel Ottawa
Lighting Chanu-ski-ah on Parliament Hill
December 16
4:45 - 5:45 pm
Join us on Parliament Hill.
Contact [email protected]

Congregation Machzikei Hadas
Daytime Connections Chanukah Celebration
December 17
6 pm
Enjoy a warm and joyful evening featuring a delicious buffet by Creative Kosher Catering, gourmet Chanukah treats, menorah lighting, live music, and an interactive game show led by Rabbi Scher. Open to all adults. Connect, celebrate, and enjoy great community spirit. RSVP required here

JET
The Great Gatineau Community Chanukah
December 18
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Join us for a warm and joyful community Chanukah celebration! We’ll enjoy fresh pizza and sufganiot, light the menorah together, play Dreidel (including the legendary Super Mega Ultra Dreidel!), and have fun with a Chanukah-themed Kahoot.
Bring your friends and family for an evening of light, laughter, and community spirit!
Register here
1762 Carling Ave.

Jewish Public Servants' Network 
Chanukah party 2025
December 18
6:30 - 9 pm
Celebrate the Festival of Lights with fellow Jewish public servants in the National Capital Region. Enjoy an evening of community and connection, as we embrace our shared heritage and traditions. Cost: $40
RSVP today limited tickets!
Email [email protected] for more information.

Ottawa Torah Centre Chabad and Jewish Federation of Ottawa
Ottawa Sens Chanukah Night
December 18
7 - 9 pm
Join OTC & Federation for the annual Chanukah at the Sens hockey game. Menorah lighting and doughnuts at Gate 1 during the first intermission. Discounted tickets availble at www.theotc.org/sens
Contact Rabbi M Blum at [email protected]
http://www.theotc.org

Temple Israel Ottawa
Family Fun 
December 19
5:30 - 6:30 pm
Youngest of friends (ages 2-8) are invited for a pre-Chanukah celebration. We’ll parade around as Macabees, spin like dreidels, and nosh on oily treats. Pizza dinner to follow.
Contact [email protected]

Or Haneshamah Ottawa's Reconstructionist Community
7th Candle Hanukkah Party
December 20
6 - 9 pm
Join us for songs, dancing and latkes (so many latkes)! You can enter your latkes in our annual latke taste-off or just gnosh to your heart's content. You can also join Machaneh Shabbat for some DIY candle making so you have something extra special to light on the final night of Hanukkah.
30 Cleary Ave.
Contact Jenny Burns at [email protected]

Chabad of Wellington West
Public Menorah Lighting and LED Robot Show
December 21
4:30 - 5:30 pm
Join us for the City-Wide Chanukah Light & Unity Gathering, a powerful evening of community pride featuring the lighting of the 9-foot Menorah, an awesome LED Robot performance, heartfelt messages from local leaders, and free Chanukah packages to take home. Together we’ll celebrate our heritage, support one another, and fill the night with Jewish light. No RSVP needed; security on site. Location: Parkdale Park – 366 Parkdale Ave. Contact Moshe Caytak or visit here.

Ottawa Torah Centre Chabad and Camp B'nai Brith of Ottawa
Chanukah on Ice
December 21
2:15 - 4 pm
Join OTC & Camp B'Nai Brith of Ottawa for Chanukah on Ice! Family skating, doughnuts and hot chocolate, Chanukah swag, Menorah lighting and more! Cost $5
Register here
Bell Centennial Arena, 50 Cassidy Rd.

Chabad of Centrepointe
Chanukah at Loblaws
December 21
4 - 5:30 pm
Beautiful Chanukah Menorah lighting at Loblaws College Square - a special party and chanukah celebration with a children's show, donuts, gelt, music, and lots of fun!
Come together proudly as Jews to celebrate Chanukah! Free event.
Loblaws College Square
1980 Baseline Rd.

Ripple Effect
Kindness in Motion - Toy Delivery
December 21-24 
Special event for high school students in Ottawa, join us as we gather all the beautiful toy drive donations throughout this month and deliver them to children across the city of Ottawa, affected by lost illness, trauma or special needs. Help us bring the happiness of the season to every single home.
We will also be delivering to Jewish Family services, CHEO hospital, CHEO foundation, and the Ronald McDonald House.
Drivers needed. Contact: [email protected]