Chanukah in Carefree
Nightly Menorah Lighting
December 4-11, 2026 | 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.
As we celebrate our 10-year anniversary in 2026, Chanukah in Carefree is honored to announce that the Phoenix Holocaust Association is our 2026 Spirit in Giving recipient. The Phoenix Holocaust Association will lead our program on Thursday, December 10, 2026, continuing a tradition they have upheld since 2019 by bringing a Holocaust Survivor to share their story and remind us to choose light in the face of darkness. On that 7th night of Chanukah they will collect 100% of the proceeds from our Silent Auction and Raffles, to help support their vital work.
To donate, click the button below. Thank you for your support!
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 button below.
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 2026 Calendar and LIVE Stream Links
Friday, December 4th
5:30pm MST
1st NIGHT
Rocking Shabbat Chanukah and Celebration
Welcome Shabbat and Celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Chanukah in Carefree with Rabbi Schneider, Cantor Noa and the Temple Kol Ami Congregational Band.
(Special and traditional Chanukah and Shabbat treats will be served.)
Saturday, December 5th
5:30pm MST
2nd NIGHT
Temple Chai
Chanukah Havdalah
Participate in the wonderful tradition of Chanukah Havdalah with Cantor Josh Finkel and the Temple Chai Adult and Children’s Choirs.
(Traditional holiday treats will be served.)
Sunday, December 6th
5:30pm MST
3rd NIGHT
Kids Light up the Night
Special Performance by the
Phoenix Boys Choir
Great fun for the kids provided
by the Cave Creek Museum,
Desert Foothills Library, Desert Foothills Land Trust, Desert Foothills Theater, Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine, Sonoran
Arts League, and Kiwanis
Club of Carefree.
(Traditional holiday treats will be served.)
Monday, December 7th
5:30pm MST
4th NIGHT
Community Night
10th Anniversary Celebration
Hosted by the Carefree Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce
Join Cantor Sharona Feller and Erez Kessler for a magical evening of music and light, exciting booths representing local businesses in Carefree and Cave Creek, and special anniversary and holiday treats for everyone!
(Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center’s Chef, Karl Schwirian, will be offering delicious Chanukah treats. Hot beverages will also be served.)
Tuesday, December 8th
5:30pm MST
5th NIGHT
Jewish Philanthropy:
Community Family Night
Israeli musician Erez Kessler will lead the evening with a family friendly, interactive concert of songs, and Chanukah games. PJ Library will provide free books and craft projects for children.
(Traditional Chanukah treats, hot chocolate and coffee will be served.)
Wednesday, December 9th
5:30pm MST
6th NIGHT
The Chabad of Carefree
and The Chabad of Anthem &
the North Valley
Family Chanukah Celebration –
fun for all ages
Fresh latkes made on-site and decorate your own sufganiyot (traditional Chanukah doughnuts).
Live Music * Children’s Activities * Chanukah Crafts
(Coffee, tea, hot chocolate and festive Chanukah treats.)
Thursday, December 10th
5:30pm MST
7th NIGHT
Phoenix Holocaust
Association
Featured Speaker:
Holocaust Survivor Dr. Mark Olsky
Interviewed by Tony Fusco, Hilton Family Holocaust Education Manager
Silent Auction benefiting the Phoenix Holocaust Association (selected Spirit in Giving recipient) will conclude this evening.
(Traditional Chanukah treats and hot beverages will be served.)
Friday, December 11th
5:30pm MST
8th NIGHT
Congregation Kehillah
Chanukah Shabbat
Participate in the wonderful tradition of Chanukah Shabbat
with
Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman
accompanied by Rabbinical
student Erica Erman
(Special and traditional Chanukah and Shabbat treats will be served.)
Chanukah in Carefree
Event Details
This 10-year anniversary of Chanukah in Carefree is being kicked off with a beautiful Shabbat Chanukah led by Temple Kol Ami’s Rabbi Schneider and Cantor Noa. Temple Kol Ami is a welcoming Reform Jewish community that honors tradition while embracing innovative pathways to Jewish celebration, growth, and lifelong learning. The Rabbi and Cantor will be leading a beautiful Shabbat Chanukah with their Rocking Congregational band this evening. Please come celebrate Chanukah in Carefree’s 10-year anniversary and participate in a beautiful and traditional Shabbat ceremony with us, on this first night of Chanukah. We are planning to offer some traditional holiday foods including Potato Latkes with Applesauce, and some hot beverages including Coffee, Tea and Hot Chocolate.
Cantor Josh Finkel is the new Cantor at Temple Chai and will be leading Havdalah, the closing ceremony of Shabbat, before the lighting of the Chanukiah (Menorah) on this 2nd night of Chanukah with the Temple Chai Adult and Children’s Choirs conducted by the talented Miciah Dodge. Temple Chai is a wonderful temple where Judaism is a vibrant blend of traditions that highlights joy, learning, and spiritual growth. Come enjoy this 2nd night of Chanukah in Carefree and participate in a beautiful ceremony which welcomes the new week, celebrates the 2nd night of Chanukah and brings music and joy to all attendees. Bring the whole family to enjoy this evening along with some delicious and traditional Chanukah treats.
This evenings’ program will include a very special performance by the Phoenix Boys Choir, which was founded in 1947, and who have received two Grammys, and who have performed for four US Presidents and with name entertainers such as Doc Severinsen, Stevie Wonder and Keith Lockhart (conducting the Boston Pops Orchestra). This evening, seven amazing local nonprofits; The Cave Creek Museum, the Desert Foothills Library, the Desert Foothills Land Trust, The Desert Foothills Library, Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine, The Sonoran Arts League and the Kiwanis Club of Carefree will set up tables to provide hands-on kids activities to entertain the whole family. All children will also receive a holiday gift bag (while supplies last). Traditional Chanukah holiday treats and hot beverages will be served.
Celebrate our 10th Year Anniversary and Community Night on this fourth night of Chanukah in Carefree hosted by the Carefree Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce. Established in 1965, the Chamber has been tirelessly working to create opportunities for businesses and the local community to thrive. Steve Feld is the Chamber’s Executive Director and will be leading this evening and introducing both Carefree Mayor John Crane and Cave Creek Mayor Kathyrn Royer along with past Mayors from Carefree and Cave Creek, Les Peterson and Robert Moore. All of them will be accompanied by special business community leaders to light the 6 1/2-foot tall Chanukiah (Menorah).
Cantor Sharona Feller and Erez Kessler will provide an engaging musical performance bringing magic, light and beauty to this special evening. Six (6) Chamber members will be featuring their businesses at specially set tables and will include some fun activities for kids.
And as if that isn’t enough, Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center Chef Karl Schwirian will be providing some delicious Chanukah treats alongside our offerings of hot coffee and hot chocolate. Special Anniversary surprises and treats for everyone! This is a night not to be missed.
The Center for Jewish Philanthropy is the largest resource for Jewish philanthropy in Greater Phoenix and they will be spearheading Community Family night and lighting the Chanukkiah (Menorah) this evening. Local musician, Erez Kessler, will lead an interactive sing-along that is sure to entertain all attendees. PJ Library will gift free Jewish books and provide games, activities, and arts and crafts projects for the children to enjoy.
Delicious Chanukah holiday treats and hot chocolate will be served.
Join us for a magical Chanukah celebration filled with warmth, joy, and fun for the whole family as we celebrate together with the new Chabad of Carefree and Chabad of Anthem & the North Valley.
If you’ve never been to Chabad before, this is the perfect opportunity to experience it. Chabad is a welcoming Jewish community where every Jew is embraced, regardless of background, affiliation, or level of observance. Around the world, Chabad creates meaningful opportunities for people to celebrate Jewish traditions, connect with their heritage, and build community in an open, friendly, and inclusive environment.
Enjoy the sights, sounds, and flavors of Chanukah with hot, crispy latkes made fresh on-site throughout the evening, complete with a delicious latke toppings bar. Decorate your own sufganiyot (traditional Chanukah doughnuts) and enjoy fresh coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and other festive Chanukah treats.
The evening will feature live music, interactive games, and hands-on Chanukah crafts!
Whether you’re continuing a family tradition or celebrating Chanukah for the first time, you’ll find a warm welcome, delicious food, joyful entertainment, and a wonderful community. We look forward to celebrating the Festival of Lights with you!
Phoenix Holocaust Association is deeply honored to welcome Holocaust survivor Dr. Mark Olsky, the world’s second youngest Holocaust survivor, as our keynote speaker. His story is extraordinary. Born during the Holocaust after his mother courageously hid her pregnancy in Auschwitz, Dr. Olsky entered the world on a transport train in the final days of the war – a testament to survival against unimaginable odds. Dr. Olsky’s remarkable journey was recently featured on the news program 60 Minutes. You can watch the segment here 60 Minutes Interview. Be prepared to be amazed and deeply moved by his story. Dr. Olsky will be interviewed by Tony Fusco, Education Manager for the Hilton Family Holocaust Education Center.
The Phoenix Holocaust Association is our selected Spirit in Giving Recipient this special 10th Anniversary of Chanukah in Carefree. And this night, the 7th night of Chanukah, we will close the Silent Auction that began the first night of Chanukah. There are many generous businesses and organizations that have donated many beautiful and wonderful items to bid on. Check them out on our Contributors page and please consider participating in the auction and donating to this worthy organization. Please also check out the Charity tab on this website for more information on the Phoenix Holocaust Association and to donate to them.
Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman will be leading our second Chanukah Shabbat this year, our 10th anniversary year, after lighting the Chanukkiah (Menorah) on the 8th (and last) night of Chanukah. Rabbi Sharfman will be accompanied by her beautiful daughter (inside and out) Rabbinical student Erica Erman. Congregation Kehillah is the closest synagogue to Carefree and is a beautiful community that builds bridges both within the Jewish community and in interfaith relations. Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman is an amazing spiritual leader and will be closing out Chanukah in Carefree’s 10th Anniversary year before bringing in the sanctity of a sweet Shabbat. Come out and participate in this beautiful tradition with us. Bring the whole family to enjoy this special evening which will include some delicious and traditional Chanukah and Shabbat treats.
