A group of about 50 gathered at the Aliso Viejo Town Center on Wednesday evening to participate in the Festival of Lights. People listened to traditional Jewish music, ate holiday snacks and created crafts with their children as they waited for the lighting of the wax Menorah created by Netanel Bendavid.

Rabbi Tzali Stillerman of Chabad Jewish Center of Aliso Viejo began the festivities.

"We're going to pass around candles to everybody and everybody's going to light the candles. Everyone will be holding a candle while we light the Menorah," Stillerman said.

Attendees listened as Stillerman explained the meaning of lighting the menorah.

"[The Maccabees] finally found one jug of oil," he said, "and it wasn't even enough to last for one night. God made a miracle and it lasted for eight nights. So every single year on Hanukkah, the miracle can come out in the open and we light the Menorah.

So tonight in Aliso Viejo, every single one of you is holding a candle to represent how one candle can chase away so much darkness. One good deed that we do, no matter how big or small, can bring so much light into the world. We have to always remember that."

Stillerman asked his father-in-law Rabbi Schusterman to honor the crowd by lighting the Menorah. He held the torch and sang songs of faith.

Estelle Schwartz from Montreal, Canada was visiting her grandchildren in Aliso Viejo. 

"It's Hanukkah, a beautiful tradition of happiness and joyfulness. I wanted to share it with [my granddaughter Alana]," she said.

Bridget and Mike Levenstein brought their son Nicholas, 20 months, to the event. 

"[Mike] is Jewish...and I'm Christian," said Bridget, "so we're celebrating 'Christmakah.' We're celebrating both holidays."

Mike said they wanted to introduce their son to both Christmas and Hanukkah.