Clearwater, FL — Chabad of Clearwater invites the entire community to a joyous Chanukah Concert & Celebration featuring renowned Jewish singer Tali Yess on Sunday, December 14 at 4:00 PM at Coachman Park (224 Pierce St., Clearwater). The event marks the first night of Hanukkah 2025 and is expected to draw hundreds of participants.
Rabbi Levi Hodakov, Director of Chabad of Clearwater, shared the special meaning behind this year’s celebration.
"We are overflowing with joy and gratitude as we celebrate Chanukah this year," said Rabbi Hodakov. "With the safe return of the hostages, thank G‑d, we are filled with an added sense of hope and happiness. We're excited to share this special Chanukah celebration with our community and friends, highlighted by our unique themed menorah — a stunning 9-ft-tall licorice Menorah featuring eight flavors, one for each night of Hanukkah. It’s going to be a sweet celebration of light, freedom, and community."
This year’s event will feature:
* A live concert with Tali Yess
* A 70-ft Ferris wheel
* A surprise themed Menorah unveiling
* Cotton candy, balloon artist, and caricaturist
* Local mascots Rays’ Raymond and Tampa Bay Lightning’s Thunderbug
* The Clearwater Fire Department Gelt Drop, showering children with thousands of chocolate coins
* Mayor Bruce Rector honored with lighting the Shamash
* Opportunities to meet local elected officials
* Delicious latkes and donuts
* A Dreidel Hunt for kids
The annual celebration, the largest Hanukkah event in Clearwater, continues to grow and attract families from across the region.
Admission is FREE with RSVP
The first 50 people to reserve will receive a complimentary Ferris wheel ride. Additional rides will be available for $5 each.
For RSVP and more information, visit ClearwaterJewish.com/concert or call 727-265-2770.
Event Details
* Date: Sunday, December 14
* Time: 4:00 PM
* Location: Coachman Park, 224 Pierce St., Clearwater
* Event: Chanukah Concert & Celebration
* Performer: Tali Yess
* Theme Menorah: 9-ft licorice Menorah
Chabad of Clearwater looks forward to celebrating this uplifting and festive first night of Chanukah with the community.
ABOUT HANUKKAH
Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, begins this year on the evening of Sunday, December 14 and concludes the evening of Monday, December 22. It recalls the victory of a militarily weak Jewish people who defeated the Syrian-Greeks who had overrun ancient Israel and sought to impose restrictions on the Jewish way of life and prohibit religious freedom. They also desecrated and defiled the Temple and the oils prepared for the lighting of the menorah, which was part of the daily service. Upon recapturing the Temple only one jar of undefiled oil was found, enough to burn only one day, but it lasted miraculously for eight. In commemoration, Jews celebrate Hanukkah for eight days by lighting an eight-branched candelabrum known as a menorah. Today, people of all faiths consider the holiday a symbol and message of the triumph of freedom over oppression, of spirit over matter, of light over darkness. Additional information about the Hanukkah holiday is available at ClearwaterJewish.com/hanukkah.
ABOUT CHABAD OF CLEARWATER
Chabad of Clearwater offers Jewish education, outreach and social service programming for families and individuals of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations. For more information visit ClearwaterJewish.com/hanukkah.