The eight nights of Hanukah start this Sunday, December 18th! That means menorahs all over New York City will soon be aglow. From Brooklyn to the Bronx, we’ve rounded up the most exciting giant menorahs, from the world’s largest, to a brand new one shaped like a boat’s sail:
1. Grand Army Plaza, Manhattan
The World’s Largest Menorah can be found at Manhattan’s Grand Army Plaza in front of the Plaza Hotel. Certified by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2006, the menorah stretches up 32 feet, the maximum height a menorah is allowed to be. What puts this menorah over the limit is the extended shamash, or middle candle, which brings its total height to 36 feet.
The golden menorah was designed by artist Yaakov Agam and first lit up in the 1970s. According to a sign at the site, Agam’s design was inspired by drawings created by the Fambam (Maimonides) of the original menorah in the Holy Temple of Jerusalem. It weighs a whopping 4,000 pounds and is assembled on-site every year.
2. South Street Seaport
Image Courtesy of the artist, Yitzchok Moully
Artist and Chasidic Rabbi, Yitzchok Moully has created a site-specific menorah for the South Street Seaport this year. The 15-foot stainless steel menorah is meant to evoke the image of a ship’s sail. Moully has been creating Hanukah-inspired art for years in different cities across the country. He hopes to continue revealing a new creative menorah design every year moving forward.
The new nautical Seaport Menorah will be lit every year on the Heineken Riverdeck at the north side of Pier 17, overlooking the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge. The inaugural lighting ceremony and unveiling of the new menorah, hosted in conjunction with Chabad of Wall Street, the Jewish Learning Experience, and The Howard Hughes Corporation, will take place on December 18th from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm.
3. Brooklyn Grand Army Plaza
Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, NYC
Before the Manhattan menorah was officially designated as the world’s largest, it had a competitor at Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza. The Brooklyn menorah is the borough’s largest, topping out at the highest permissible height of 32 feet.
There’s not just one, but two giant menorahs at the World Trade Center! At the PATH Station, you’ll find a large white menorah lit up in partnership with the Port Authority WTC and Bris Avrohom of Hillside, New Jersey. This glowing symbol of the Jewish holiday debuted in 2019. Another giant menorah at the World Trade Center pays homage to the Twin Towers.
Designed by Michael and Bonnie Berkowicz, the menorah features a piece of structural steel from the towers. You can see the menorah inside the Oculus, the World Trade Center Transportation Hub designed by Santiago Calatrava. You can see another exciting example of Calatrava’s work at the nearby St. Nicholas Church. The original structure of this Greek Orthodox congregation was destroyed in the 9/11 attacks. Calatrava’s new designs recently opened, after decades of work and delays.
6. Queens Borough Hall
Courtesy of Queens Borough President’s Office
If you’re looking for a giant menorah in Queens, you’ll find it on the front lawn of Queens Borough Hall. The lighting ceremony is presented in partnership with Chabad of Queens. Borough president Donovan Richards will be in attendance at the lighting ceremony festivities on December 20 at 4:30 pm.
The lighting ceremony will also feature potato latkes, dreidels, chocolate gelt, and music. The event, on starts on Tuesday at 4:30 pm. It is free to the public and no RSVP is required.
7. Gantry Plaza State Park
JCC-Chabad of Long Island City (Rabbi Zev and Rivka Wineberg)
The Gantry Plaza State Park menorah might have the best view of all New York City’s giant menorahs! Located along the East River in the Hunters Point section of Long Island City, the giant illuminated menorah stands in front of a stunning view of the midtown Manhattan skyline.
As you enjoy snacks and music, you can admire the shining lights of the city from the Empire State Building and the United Nations Building, as well as from the glowing menorah! The lighting ceremony celebration on December 18th will include doughnuts, Chanukah cookies, chocolate gelt, and glow-in-the-dark treats, along with a special show from Emphasis Street Performers.
8. Bell Monument in Riverdale
Image Courtesy of Chabad Bronx
Under the shadow of the historic Bell Monument in Riverdale in the Bronx, a giant menorah will be set aglow on December 18th for the first night of Hanukah. Of course, there will be donuts, latkes, and live music, but for the first time this year, the festivities will also include a silent disco.
Nicole Saraniero is the Insider-in-Chief at Untapped New York, leading our Untapped New York Insiders membership program. Nicole graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Science in Televis
