The Bill Graham (“Mama”) Menorah lighting is a tradition in San Francisco not to be missed. People of all faiths will gather to watch Andy David, the Israeli consul general, and Lori Starr, director of the Contemporary Jewish Museum, preside over the first night of candle-lighting at the annual Hanukkah celebration. The celebration continues daily through Dec. 4, for each of the nights of Hannukkah, with special events planned on the Fifth Lighting (December 1) and the Seventh Lighting (December 3).
What: Chanukah Festival of Lights, Menorah Lighting
Where: Union Square, Geary and Powell streets, SF
When: November 27, daily through December 4, 5 p.m.
- First Lighting 11/27 Wednesday–4:30PM Gathering| 5:00PM Lighting
- 11/28 Thursday–4:30PM Gathering | 5:00PM Lighting
- 11/29 Friday–2:30PM Gathering | 3:30PM Lighting
- 11/30 Saturday–7:00PM Gathering | 7:30PM Lighting
- Fifth Lighting 12/1 Sunday–3:00PM Festival | 5:00PM Lighting
- 12/2 Monday–4:30PM Gathering | 5:00PM Lighting
- Seventh Lighting 12/3 Tuesday–4:30PM Gathering | 5:00PM Lighting
- 12/4 Wednesday–4:30PM Gathering | 5:00PM Lighting
What’s the deal? 
Did You Know? Local SF community leaders in 1975 joined together to create this–the first big menorah public celebration of Chanukah outside of Israel.
