First off, we’d like to take the time out to wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving! It’s been a pretty epic Thanksgiving thus far, dinners in the oven and football is just an hour away (so excited!). Thanksgiving just might be my favorite holiday so naturally I’m concerned about the inevitable realization that I have to wait 365 more days before my next Thanksgiving feast. But, in the mean time we’ve got Christmas, Hanukkah and New Years to celebrate (which is by no means a let down, especially if you’ve seen the Menorah Lighting at Grand Army Plaza – in Manhattan…not the one in Brooklyn). If you haven’t, you’re missing out. Why? Because no other holiday event in New York can match the serenity and beauty of the annual Jewish Festival of Lights. Here’s what you need to know for this years event.

From December 16th to December 23rd of this year the world’s largest Hanukkah menorah will be lit in Grand Army Plaza (in Manhattan – Not to be confused with Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn…trust me on this) right off of 5th and 59th street. So, if you find yourself on the NQR between the 16th and the 23rd  you have to stop by. It, the menorah, is a New York holiday icon;  standing 32 feet above the street the gold colored facade glitters in the night, reflecting the scattered light of passersby which, this writer has to say, is truly awe inspiring. And, for a week this 4,000 pound structure is yours to admire for free.

As we said above, the event is free and will run from December 16th to December 23rd with the official menorah lighting occurring on Saturday, the 20th at 8:30 p.m. The event is located in close proximity to the lower East portion of Central Park (in Grand Army Plaza). That means, you’ll be just a few blocks away from the N-Q-R-E-M-4-5 and 6 trains which should allow you to get to and from the event with relative ease. So mark it on your calendar! We hope to see you there and enjoy the rest of your Turkey Day, take care!

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