Hanukkah next begins at sundown on Friday, December 4, 2026. Here is what it means and how it is observed, drawn from classic Jewish sources.
When is Hanukkah?
Hanukkah begins at sundown on the dates below (the Jewish day starts in the evening).
| Year | Hanukkah begins (at sundown) |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday, December 4, 2026 (next) |
| 2027 | Friday, December 24, 2027 |
| 2028 | Tuesday, December 12, 2028 |
| 2029 | Saturday, December 1, 2029 |
What is Hanukkah?
Hanukkah (חנוכה — “dedication”) is an eight-day Jewish festival celebrating a military victory and a miraculous rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. It begins on the 25th day of Kislev (usually November or December).
What It Commemorates
When the Jews defeated their enemies and reclaimed the Temple, they found only one small jar of pure oil—enough to fuel the Temple’s menorah for just one day. Miraculously, that oil burned for eight days, until they could press new olives and produce more. The sages ordained these eight days as a festival of rejoicing and thanksgiving to God.
The central mitzvah is lighting the Hanukkah menorah (Hanukkiah) each evening during the eight nights. This is considered so important that even a person in poverty should prioritize acquiring oil and lights to fulfill it—a sign of how precious this commandment is for proclaiming and praising God’s miracles.
The Name
The word “Hanukkah” comes from two Hebrew words meaning “they rested on the 25th”—referring to when the Jews finally rested from their enemies’ attacks.
The Spirit of the Holiday
During these eight days, it is fitting to tell the story of the miracles to your family. While festive meals are encouraged (especially when accompanied by songs and praises to God), the heart of Hanukkah is the daily lighting and the spirit of gratitude and dedication it represents.
Hanukkah is a time to celebrate Jewish resilience, religious freedom, and trust in divine providence.
How Hanukkah is observed
The Menorah & Order of Candles
You light the Hanukkah menorah (hanukkiah) for eight nights, beginning on the 25th of Kislev.
The order of lighting:
- First night: light one candle on your right
- Each subsequent night: add one candle to the left of the previous candles
- When lighting: always kindle the newest candle first, then work toward the right
This creates a visual record of the increasing miracle as the week progresses.
The Three Blessings (First Night Only)
On the first night, recite these three blessings before lighting:
1. Baruch atah Adonai… l’hadlik ner Chanukah — “…to kindle the Hanukkah light”
2. Baruch atah Adonai… sh’asah nisim — “…who performed miracles”
3. Baruch atah Adonai… shehecheyanu — “…that we have been sustained to reach this season”
On nights 2–8, recite only the first two blessings (l’hadlik and sh’asah nisim).
If you forget the shehecheyanu on the first night, you can still say it on the second night or whenever you remember.
Why We Light
The eight days commemorate the miracle of oil: when the Temple was rededicated, only one day’s worth of pure oil remained, yet it burned for eight days until new oil could be pressed. Lighting displays this miracle publicly and expresses gratitude to God.
The mitzvah is so important that even someone in poverty should prioritize it—it’s considered a core expression of joy and thanksgiving during these eight days.
Sources
- Mishneh Torah, Scroll of Esther and Hanukkah 3
- Mishneh Torah, Scroll of Esther and Hanukkah 4
- Kitzur Shulchan Arukh 139
- Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 676
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