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London’s Trafalgar Square is multi-cultural this week as London’s 30-foot tall Chanukah Menorah shares pride of place with its Christmas Tree, lit a few weeks ago.

The Menorah, an eight light candelabra and the symbol of the Jewish Festival of Lights, is lit to symbolize the ancient miracle of a night’s supply of sacred oil lasting eight nights. Each night, another candle is lit until all eight are alight. London’s Menorah, lit for the first night last night, will remain lit through December 18.

As a special treat, on the sixth night, December 16, you can join other Londoners in Trafalgar Square to celebrate the lighting with a Chanukah party featuring Chanukah foods and a live performance by Yiddish singer Shlomo Gertner.

Festivities get underway at 6p.m. with Deputy Mayor Richard Barnes lighting the Menorah at 6:20 p.m. Following the lighting, Chanukah Gelt (chocolate coins) will be distributed to the children and traditional Chanukah foods – doughnuts and potato latkes (pancakes), will be offered to spectators.

By the way, last year London Mayor Boris Johnson, pictured above, took a ride on a cherry picker and used a blow torch to light the Chanukah Menorah.

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Happy Chanukah from London originally appeared on About.com United Kingdom Travel on Saturday, December 12th, 2009 at 08:41:46.

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