Chanukah in Carefree
Nightly Menorah Lighting
December 14-21, 2025 | 5:30pm
at the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion
in Carefree, Arizona
This is an outdoor event with enhanced security measures in place.
We are also LIVE streaming on selected nights. Please use the links provided below to LIVE STREAM on a specific night, or to view the recording of the event afterwards.
Our selected Spirit in giving Charity for Chanukah in Carefree 2025 is The Hilton Family Holocaust Education Center, a project of the Arizona Jewish Historical Society, opening in 2027 and will be a 30,000 square foot facility dedicated to Holocaust education and remembrance. It will offer an immersive experience and equip young people and all visitors with the knowledge and courage to stand up against antisemitism and all forms of hate.
To make a donation click here, and when entering the information be sure to identify in the comments that the donation is for the Hilton Family Holocaust Education Center.
Expenses for the Chanukah in Carefree (CIC) eight-night event have increased over the years as we strive to make this event safe and more successful for the community. We welcome donations to help us with these expenses and thank you for your consideration. Spirit in the Desert has generously offered to handle all the finance management for Chanukah in Carefree, at no cost. Donations for expenses can be received online at www.SpiritintheDesert.org. You can also get to their website by clicking on the DONATE NOW link to the left.
Please make sure to note Chanukah in Carefree expenses, as the designated recipient of your donation on the online details. Spirit in the Desert can provide receipts on all donations received.
Chanukah Events 2025 Calendar and LIVE Stream Links
Sunday, December 14th
5:30pm MST
1st NIGHT
Community Night with
The Carefree Cave Creek Chamber
of Commerce
- Special introductions by Mayor John Crane and Mayor Robert Morris
- Special performances by the Cave Creek Unified School District Choirs
- Special tables representing local businesses in Carefree and Cave Creek
(Traditional holiday treats and hot beverages will be served.)
Wednesday, December 17th
5:30pm MST
4th NIGHT
Kids Light up the Night
Great fun for the kids provided by the Cave Creek Museum, Desert Foothills Library, Desert Foothills Land Trust, Sonoran Arts League, and Kiwanis Club of Carefree
Special Entertainment by
Cantorial Soloist Sharon Friendly
(Traditional holiday
treats will be served.)
Chanukah in Carefree
Event Details
More details coming soon!
Be a part of the community and celebrate the first night of Chanukah in Carefree with the Carefree Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce. Both Mayor John Crane and Mayor Robert Morris will open the evening, followed by the lighting of the 6 1/2 foot tall Chanukiah by business community leaders. The wonderful Cave Creek Unified School District Choirs including the High School Honors Choir and Middle School Choir will perform under the amazing conductor Karen Dolezal, warming our hearts this evening. Six (6) Chamber members will also be featuring their businesses. Lots of traditional holiday treats will be served along with hot coffee and hot chocolate.
The Center for Jewish Philanthropy will be lighting the menorah this evening, and Erez Kessler, the amazing Israeli guitar player, will entertain all attendees especially the children. We will have games, activities, and arts and crafts for the children in the community to enjoy. The PJ Library will provide free books and craft projects for the evening. Delicious holiday cookies, sufganiyot and hot chocolate will also be served.
This evening will feature music from around the world led by Cantor Emerita Sharona Feller, Cantor Tanya Greenblatt and the Temple Chai Adult and Children’s Choirs. Take an international journey with us as we share the music, lore and tastes of Chanukah from around the world on this third night of Chanukah. International holiday treats will be served with hot coffee and hot chocolate.
On this night, five nonprofits will light up the night for our kids. The Cave Creek Museum, Desert Foothills Library, Desert Foothills Land Trust, Sonoran Arts League with support from Kiwanis Club of Carefree. Each organization will provide fun stuff for the kids to enjoy while everyone enjoys a sing-a-long with Cantorial Soloist Sharon Friendly. Traditional holiday treats will be enjoyed by all.
Join us for a magical Chanukah celebration full of fun for the whole family! Enjoy delicious latkes, sufganiyot, and hot chocolate, plus sweet cotton candy treats. Kids will love the exciting magic show, interactive games, and hands-on Chanukah crafts. Come celebrate the Festival of Lights with warmth, joy, and community spirit!
Temple Kol Ami’s Rabbi and Cantor will be leading a beautiful Shabbat Chanukah with their Rocking Congregational band. Please come, enjoy and participate in a traditional Shabbat ceremony on this sixth night of Chanukah with Temple Kol Ami and the Bauman Family. There will also be some Chanukah treats along with hot beverages served.
Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman will be leading the closing ceremony of Shabbat (Havdalah) before lighting the Chanukiah (menorah), on the seventh night of Chanukah. In addition to the wonderful tradition of Havdalah that Rabbi Sharfman shares so beautifully, Rabbi will be accompanied by Israeli guitar player Erez Kessler who together they will put together a fantastic musical evening. Bring the whole family to enjoy this special evening which will include some delicious and traditional Chanukah treats.
Holocaust survivor, Dr. Michael Markson was born in Lithuania in September 1937. In his first years of life, Michael, who was born with the name Miron Sauberblatt, had his innocence, normalcy, and family stripped from him. His father was captured and murdered by the Nazi’s, while his mom was placed within the Memel Ghetto. To save her child’s life, she arranged for Michael to be smuggled out of the ghetto and hidden by a Catholic family for two years. Dr. Markson will discuss his experience as a child in Nazi-occupied Lithuania and his survival as a refugee as he immigrated to America.