Local celebrations mark Hanukkah, which begins Saturday

Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, runs from Saturday to Dec. 16.

Posted 1:45 a.m. Dec 4, 2012 — Updated 1:45 a.m. Dec 4, 2012

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, begins on Saturday evening this year.

We have at least three community celebrations to mark the holiday, which runs through Dec. 16. If you know of more, please email them to me and I'll include them.

Cary's Jewish Cultural Festival is 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, at the Cary Arts Center. Cary is working with Chabad of Cary, the Jewish Federation of Raleigh-Cary and Beth Shalom to host the event.

The day includes traditional Jewish foods, crafts and hands-on activities for kids, along with entertainment, educational displays and the lighting of a nine-foot menorah. Among the entertainers are Ruslan Sirota, a Grammy award-winning pianist and composer from the Ukraine, and singer-songwriter Rick Coffey, who wrote and produced hits for Quincy Jones, among others.

Hands-on activities for kids include candle dipping and pipe-cleaner menorah making.

There will be a marketplace, featuring arts, crafts and other items, and a silhouette artist if you're looking for gift ideas.

For all the details about the event, go to Cary's website.

Crabtree Valley Mall will mark each night of Hanukkah with a menorah lighting ceremony starting at 7 p.m., Saturday. The menorah is on the upper level next to Sears. The daily menorah lighting continues until Dec. 15. Check Crabtree's website for the exact times each night as they vary.

And Quail Ridge Books & Music in Raleigh will hold its annual favorite, a free Hanukkah concert for the whole family featuring Raleigh-based Mishpacha. The fun and lively concert is noon, Sunday, at the book store on Wade Avenue.

Happy Hanukkah!

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