We've heard a whole lot this year about "Thanksgivukkah" -- the concurrence of Hanukkah and Thanksgiving, happening in 2013 for the last time in about 79,000 years.
But Hanukkah was the sole star at the National Menorah Lighting late Wednesday afternoon on the National Ellipse, adjacent to the South Lawn of the White House
The world's largest menorah was illuminated during a ceremony featuring musical performances by the U.S. Air Force Band, the Three Cantors and Grammy Award-winning violinist Miri Ben-Ari.
Tickets were available for free to those who requested them online, and attendees also got to snack on latkes and donuts.
One additional candle on the menorah will be lit each night through the end of Hanukkah, Thursday, Dec. 5 (albeit without the ceremony and concert).