Ceremonial Menorah lighting to follow in both Folsom, El Dorado Hills
The spirit of Chanukah is set to shine brightly in Folsom as the 18th Annual Chanukah Wonderland returns to the Folsom Community Center on Friday, Dec. 22. Hosted by the Chabad Jewish Community Center of Folsom, the event will transform the venue into a hub of family-friendly excitement from 1 to 5 p.m.
This year’s celebration features an array of activities and attractions designed to delight guests of all ages. Attendees can enjoy captivating live performances, snap photos with the beloved Judah Maccabee, and try their hand at a variety of craft-making opportunities, including a menorah-building workshop and competition. For those looking for even more interactive fun, carnival games, face painting, and candle-making stations will be on hand to create lasting memories.
No Chanukah celebration would be complete without delicious food, and the event’s Israeli Food Court will deliver, offering traditional latkes and an assortment of authentic kosher Israeli dishes.
The event welcomes families from all backgrounds, and admission is free, including access to performances and photo opportunities. For those interested in hands-on activities, an Unlimited Pass can be purchased, providing access to all crafts, games, and the menorah-building workshop. Advance passes are available for $15 until Dec. 20. After that, passes will cost $30 at the door.
Organizers invite the entire community to join the fun and celebrate the Festival of Lights in a joyous and inclusive setting. The Folsom Community Center is located at 52 Natoma Street. Doors open at 1 p.m., and the festivities conclude at 5 p.m. For more information or to purchase advance passes, visit www.chanukahwonderland.info. Additional event details can also be found at www.jewishfolsom.org.
Local Menorah lightings follow in days after celebration
Following the Chanukah Wonderland event, Folsom Chabad will present two different local public Menorah Lightings. The first will take place at Folsom’s Palladio on Dec. 24 from 6:00 -8:00 p.m. Another will follow on Dec. 26 in El Dorado Hills in El Dorado Hills Town Center at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend either ceremony. Both events will offer latkes, donuts and hot chocolate and will include live music by Duvy Burston.
Folsom Chabad is a family-oriented, inclusive Jewish Community Center offering services to all, regardless of background or affiliation. Membership is free, with donations appreciated, and the center aims to create a welcoming space for those who may feel isolated as part of a small Jewish community in the Folsom and El Dorado Hills area.
Through a warm, nonjudgmental environment, Chabad fosters a close-knit community and provides resources for individuals and families to connect with Jewish traditions. Programs are available for all ages, offering spiritual growth, educational opportunities, and personal instruction with Rabbi or Rebbetzin. Chabad is a hub for people across the Jewish spectrum, including interfaith families, to feel at home and deepen their connection to their heritage.