Hanukkah

2026: December 4, 2026 — December 12, 2026

Jewish · Hebrew calendar; local sunset times

Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, lasts eight nights and remembers the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Origin

It recalls the Maccabean revolt (2nd century BCE). The Talmud tells of one day's oil that lasted eight days.

Where & who

Jewish communities worldwide.

How people celebrate

• Lighting the menorah (hanukkiah) each night, adding one candle, with blessings.
• Placing the menorah where it can be seen, to publicise the miracle.
• Playing dreidel and giving small gifts or coins (gelt).

How you can take part or learn

• Many synagogues and cities hold public menorah lightings that welcome everyone.
• Greeting: "Happy Hanukkah" or "Chag Sameach".

Symbols

The nine-branched menorah, oil, the dreidel.

Food, music & art

Foods fried in oil: latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (doughnuts). Songs such as "Maoz Tzur".