Bill Graham Menorah: Chanukah in Union Square 2026

Starts In 25 Days

When

4 Dec 2026 – 11 Dec 2026

Where

Union Square

Cost

Not stated by the organizer

Getting There

Muni F, J, K, L, M, N +19 more; BART Powell Street, 5 min walk · More ways

Checked 8 Nov 2026 on the organizer’s page.

The Bill Graham Menorah has been lit in Union Square since 1975, which makes it one of the square's longest-running holiday traditions. It's an outdoor night in a plaza, so a warm coat and some patience for standing around will serve you well.

Chanukah in Union Square runs 4 to 11 December 2026. The first lighting is on Friday 4 December, and Sunday 6 December is Bill Graham Menorah Day. The menorah’s own site says it has been lit since 1975, which makes 2026 its 51st year, and describes it as the first giant public menorah outside Israel.

Unconfirmed The organizer’s site lists no lighting times and no cost. Do this: Check the Menorah’s own site for times before you go. Source: Bill Graham Menorah · Checked 8 November 2026.

It sits in the same plaza as the Union Square Great Tree 2026: status, what is around it this season and how to get there.

Also on the plaza: free games, a Kids Zone and a daily craft, and the ice rink.

Getting There

• MUnion Square/Market St Station SouthboundMuni Metro T · 70 m, about 1 min walk
• MPowell St & Geary StPowell–Hyde cable car, Powell–Mason cable car · 89 m, about 1 min walk
• BPowell Street BART0.2 mi, about 5 min walk

Transit directions, including buses

Nearest Muni Metro, streetcar and cable car stops and BART stations, from SFMTA and BART published stop data. Distances are straight-line, and walking times are our estimate. Buses aren’t listed here.

Organizing this event? Add a “Listed on Project SF” badge to your site.

More in Union Square

Coming up Nearby

• Union Square Holiday Ice Rink Wed, Nov 4, 2026 – Jan 18, 2027 · Union Square
• Union Square Plaza Winter Crafts, Kids Zone and Games 2026-27 Wed, Nov 4, 2026 – Jan 17, 2027 · Union Square Plaza
• Let’s Glow SF: Free Downtown Holiday Projection Festival (Dec 4–13, 2026) Fri, Dec 4–13 · Downtown San Francisco (six buildings)
• Polar Bear Skate at Union Square Ice Rink Fri, Jan 1 · Union Square Ice Rink

Places in the Neighborhood

• Fraenkel Gallery Art Galleries

Our Union Square guide →

Read More

• 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire: What Happened
• A Family Guide to San Francisco Neighborhoods

← All upcoming events

Getting there by Muni

Lines within a 5-minute walk: F J K L M N PH PM T 1X 2 5 +13 more

Nearest BART: Powell Street, about 5 min walk.

Straight-line distance from the venue; check SFMTA for times and service changes. From our Events by Muni data, November 2, 2026.

Source: Bill Graham Menorah ↗ · Checked against the official source on November 8, 2026. Found something wrong? Tell us and we will fix it.

Dates, times, prices and venue checked against the official source on 8 Nov 2026.

Cite this page: Project SF, “Bill Graham Menorah: Chanukah in Union Square 2026”, projectsf.com/events/bill-graham-menorah-union-square/ (updated 2026-11-08).

Print / Save As PDF