NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – To mark the start of the Festival of Lights, the world’s largest menorah will be lit at Grand Army Plaza in Manhattan on Wednesday.
This year, Hanukkah and Christmas share the same day, a rare occurrence that has happened only five times in the past 114 years.
The iconic 36-foot menorah, located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 59th Street across from the Plaza Hotel, will illuminate the city nightly from Dec. 25 through Jan. 1, beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Designed by Israeli artist Yaacov Agam and inspired by Maimonides’ depiction of the original menorah in the Holy Temple, the menorah holds the Guinness World Record for its towering height.
This year’s lighting was dedicated to the late Rabbi Shmuel Butman, who oversaw the event since its inception and passed away in August 2024, according to a press release by
Chabad Lubavitch. “Rabbi Butman is remembered for his booming voice announcing dignitaries and leading the crowd in joyful singing from atop the cherry-picker during these ceremonies,” the release read.
The menorah-lighting ceremony, organized by the Lubavitch Youth Organization, will feature live music, traditional Hanukkah treats, Chassidic dancing, and appearances by dignitaries and public officials.
The world’s largest menorah is one of over 15,000 public menorahs worldwide, including those at the White House, Eiffel Tower, Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, and the Great Wall of China.