The stars have aligned this year to where the first night of Chanukah hits right on Christmas Day – and we all know which holiday’s gonna be a bit brighter, right? Eight nights of light get a turbo-charged kickoff from Shalom Austin’s young adult division (YAD) on Chanukah Eve. Home to the famous – at least in these pages – latke punch, Kitty Cohen’s plays host to YAD’s Mazel Ball where over 200 Jewish Austinites are invited to enjoy a live DJ, treats, complimentary drinks, and a prize drawing. While YAD 3Sixty Club members get in sans cover charge, non-members pay a small price to enjoy this festival of lights. – James Scott