Annual lighting of the Bill Graham Menorah in Union Square began yesterday, December 4th, the first night of Chanukah. The two-story mahogany menorah will continue to be lit each day at sundown through next Tuesday.

Back in 1975, when the city held its first lighting, it was the first time an outdoor, public menorah-lighting was celebrated outside of Israel. Today, that's all changed. Now there are thousands of lightings around the world. Yet, when you look upon the menorah in Union Square, it should be noted that it was here in S.F. – with the help of Bill Graham’s vision and resources – that the very first example was produced.

Best known as a rock-concert promoter, Mr. Graham never looked for credit in the realization of San Francisco’s famed menorah, but the city did. After his passing in 1991, the menorah was rededicated in his name and in 1993, the city’s mayor Frank Jordan declared the first Sunday of Chanukah to be Bill Graham Menorah Day.¹ In 2007, that’ll be December 9th.

In this photo, Enrique Guerrero has captured the menorah a day prior to its being lit. The holiday spirit in Union Square is indeed shining bright, represented by this premiere candelabrum, the charming Macy's Christmas tree, and collectively, all the festive and lovely illuminations.