The first Menorah candle was lit outside the California state capitol building on Dec. 25 as the Sacramento Jewish Community officially marked the beginning of Hanukkah. Community members gathered outside the west steps of the capitol building to take part in the festivities.

The Menorah itself is a symbol of light, wisdom, and divine inspiration and one of the most well-known emblems of Judaism.

Among those who helped light a towering menorah in west Little Rock on Thursday were former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Rabbi Pinchus Ciment, who portrayed the nominee for the United States' ambassador to Israel as a trustworthy ally and exemplary leader: "Your strong support of our people and the country of Israel,

Tickets for the lighting on Wednesday are available at NationalMenorah.org. Ticket holders get some special Hanukkah perks, too. "Those in attendance will be treated to hot traditional Hanukkah latkes (potato pancakes) and donuts," organizers said. "Complimentary personal menorah kits and dreidels will also be distributed."

The Chabad Lubavitch Jewish Center of Merrimack Valley held its annual Grand Menorah Lighting at The Park, 36 Bartlet St., on Thursday to celebrate Hanukkah .

If you're celebrating Hanukkah this season, there are many opportunities across the Central Coast to come together and light the menorah.

The free celebration takes place at the Newport Beach shopping center Sunday at 3 p.m., featuring holiday crafts, dreidels, doughnuts and free activities for kids.

It was only the second time in the past 40 years that Christmas and the start of Hanukkah fell on the same day.

The oversized menorah in the Pennsylvania Capitol was officially lit Thursday evening as the second night of Hanukkah began.