Jewish a Cappella Group Six13 Coming to UTC

December 4, 2024 | Sarasota

While Hanukkah begins at sundown on December 25, all are invited to celebrate the festival of lights a few days early at University Town Center’s (UTC) Hanukkah on The Green on December 17 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Held in partnership with Temple Emanu-El, this free, outdoor community celebration promises an evening filled with music, joy, lights and festive treats.

A highlight of the event will be a performance by Six13, an acclaimed six-man a cappella vocal band that brings an unprecedented style and energy to Jewish music. The New York City-based group has gained popularity with their original songs and fun parodies, like “Bohemian Chanukah,” a parody of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and “Era-lution,” a Taylor Swift-inspired medley about the story of Hanukkah. Six13 has won numerous awards and had the honor of performing at The White House, Kennedy Center, Citi Field, Madison Square Garden, Dolphin Stadium, and other venues around the world.

In addition to the free concert, the event will feature face painting; lighted entertainers; festive treats from Five-O Donuts and Florence and the Spice Boys; and a holiday gift shop.

In the spirit of giving, attendees are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties.

Other Hanukkah happenings at UTC include Hands on Hanukkah, Temple Sinai’s annual celebration inside the Mall at UTC on Sunday, December 29 from 4-6 p.m. The fun, family-friendly event will feature entertainment, crafts, delicious chocolate gelt, donuts, giveaways, the lighting of the candles to celebrate the 5th night of Hanukkah and more. The night before, on December 28 at 7 p.m., there will also be a special showing of “Adam Sandler’s Eight Crazy Nights” during UTC’s outdoor holiday movie series in the lot by Ford’s Garage.

There are a sleigh-full of ways to celebrate the holidays at UTC. Other festivities include nightly light shows choreographed to music; a real ice skating rink presented by Tampa Bay Lightning; outdoor holiday movies every Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.; fireworks every Saturday; horse-drawn carriage rides; and so much more.

For more details and the full schedule of events, visit utcsarasota.com/holidays