Double Hanukkah celebrations set for Alpharetta area, one at Halcyon

Hallmark Channel to Showcase Two Hanukkah-Based TV Movies.The films, 'Holiday Date' and 'Double Holiday,' will air on December 14 and 22, respectively.It is the first time the channel has made films around Christmas that center on the Jewish holiday.The movies comes amid criticism that Hallmark's winter holiday movies have only focused on Christmas.For the last decade, the channel has run a “Countdown to Christmas” movie schedule.Hallmark's films, which ran from late October to New Years Day la

Hanukkah is nearly here and there are two back-to-back celebrations happening soon in the Alpharetta area.

Congregation Beth Israel and Chabad Forsyth are teaming up to host Chanukah at Halcyon on Dec. 22. They’ll follow that with Chanukah at the Collection.

» RELATED: Break out the menorah: Ponce City Market, Chabad Intown to host lighting ceremony

Sunday’s event is billed as a family-friendly party hosted at Halcyon in the Village Green. The venue also hosts events like Groovin’ on the Green for live music on Saturdays.

On Monday, Chanukah at the Collection kicks off at The Collection at Forsyth. Featuring a grand menorah lighting, the Dec. 23 event will also offer goodies like doughnuts, Hanukkah gelt — which are chocolate coins —  latkes — or potato cakes — and hot drinks. Live music will be played and The Home Depot will provide menorah building workshops.

The event falls on the same day when Atlanta-area residents will likely trek out to Ponce City Market for a menorah lighting ceremony.

» RELATED: Happy Hanukkah: 8 things to know

As those in and around the metro area celebrate the holiday, the Hallmark Channel is beginning to join in.

The network has aired a “Countdown to Christmas” block for the past decade. But many viewers have cried out for the channel’s failure to air diverse holiday flicks, including those focused on Hanukkah.

The network has now added two films about the Jewish holiday into its schedule: “Holiday Date” and “Double Holiday.”

» RELATED: Chabad Intown menorah lighting

Chanukah at Halcyon

5 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 22

Halcyon In The Village Green, 6365 Halcyon Way, Alpharetta GA 30005

Chanukah at the Collection

6:30 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 23

The Collection at Forsyth, 410 Peachtree Pkwy, Cumming GA 30041