SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV/AP) — Public menorah lightings for the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah are planned around the world in locations ranging from ski towns and Caribbean islands to famous landmarks and sports arenas.

Hanukkah begins Tuesday night and lasts for eight days.

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Local events include:

  • The FIESTAval of Lights Community Chanukah Celebration at the JEA (Jewis Education Center, 5111 Abercorn Street). Takes place Dec. 12 from 5-7 p.m. $5 per person or $15 per family. Call 912-355-8111 for more information. Event features Menorah lighting, latke bar, games, crafts, dance party and more. Please bring socks or hygiene products to donate.
  • Lights at Ellis Square. Celebrate the Festival of Lights in Downtown Savannah with the kindling of a large public Menorah. Event also features hot latkes, doughnuts and menorah kits. Takes place Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Ellis Square.
  • Second Night Menorah Lighting Ceremony at Congregation Mickve Israel on Dec. 13 at 5 p.m.

  • Hanukkah Dinner and Special lighting ceremony at Congregation Mickve Israel on Dec. 15 Dinner at 6 p.m. Service at 7 p.m. Must RSVP by Dec. 14 at RSVP@mickveisrael.org or

    call the office at 912-233-1547. Bring your menorah and we will light up the atrium!

  • Special events at Congregation Beth Yam in Hilton Head Island, S.C. : DINE AROUND AND CANDLE LIGHTING AT CRAVE–December 12 at 6:00pm – click here for reservations; SAC CHANUKAH PARTY–December 13 at 10 a.m.; CHANUKAH CELEBRATION AND LUNCHEON–December 13 at 11:30am – click here for reservations; SHABBAT SERVICE – NIGHT OF 100 MENORAHS–Dec. 15 at 6 pm
 

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Celebrations in Vail, Colorado, will include menorahs made from skis. In New Mexico, organizers hope to create a one-of-a-kind menorah made from hot-air balloons on Dec. 17 in Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta Park, which hosts the International Balloon Fiesta each October. Vacationers in destinations like Cancun, Mexico, and Aruba will also have menorah lightings to attend, along with one in Curacao, home to the oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere dating to 1732.

Many ceremonies will take place in front of landmarks, including the White House in Washington, D.C., Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Kremlin in Moscow and Germany’s Brandenburg Gate. London’s Trafalgar Square will host a 30-foot (9-meter) menorah outfitted with specially designed environmentally friendly bulbs, commissioned by the London Climate Change Agency.

The world’s largest menorah, standing 36 feet high (11 meters), will be lit just outside Central Park in New York City across from the Plaza Hotel at Grand Army Plaza. That menorah lighting began in 1977 and marks its 40th consecutive year this month.

Sports arenas are also hosting Hanukkah events, including the NBA arenas of the Brooklyn Nets, Orlando Magic, Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns and Atlanta Hawks; the NHL arenas of the Arizona Coyotes, New York Islanders, Nashville Predators, Tampa Bay Lightning, New Jersey Devils and Columbus Blue Jackets; and the NFL stadium of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Thousands of people are expected Dec. 18 for a Hanukkah concert and menorah lighting at Gulfstream Park, the horse racing track in Hallandale Beach, Florida, near Miami.