Hanukkah 2026: Dates, Meaning, Traditions, Foods and Greetings

Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah) is the Jewish Festival of Lights. It lasts eight nights and begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, which usually falls in late November or December. In 2026, Hanukkah begins at sundown on Friday, December 4 and ends at nightfall on Saturday, December 12.

The Story Behind Hanukkah

In the 2nd century BCE, the Jewish people in Judea were ruled by the Seleucid Greek king Antiochus IV, who banned Jewish practice. A small group called the Maccabees led a revolt and won back Jerusalem. When they rededicated the Second Temple, they found only enough pure oil to light the Temple menorah for one day — but, according to tradition, it burned for eight days. Hanukkah means “dedication” in Hebrew.

How to Light the Menorah

1. Use a hanukkiah, a menorah with nine branches.
2. The middle or raised candle is the shamash (helper candle), used to light the others.
3. On the first night, light one candle; add one more each night until all eight are lit.
4. Place candles from right to left, but light the newest one first.
5. Say the blessings and place the menorah near a window to share the light.

Hanukkah Traditions and Foods

Tradition	What it is
Latkes	Fried potato pancakes, eaten to remember the oil
Sufganiyot	Jam-filled doughnuts, popular in Israel
Dreidel	A four-sided spinning top game with Hebrew letters
Gelt	Chocolate coins or small money gifts for children
Songs	“Maoz Tzur” and “I Have a Little Dreidel” are favourites

Upcoming Hanukkah Dates

Year	Begins (sundown)	Ends (nightfall)
2026	December 4	December 12
2027	December 24	January 1, 2028
2028	December 12	December 20

👉 Also read: Merry Christmas Wishes and Quotes

Hanukkah Greetings

• Happy Hanukkah! May the lights of the menorah fill your home with joy.
• Chag Sameach! Wishing you eight nights of peace and happiness.
• May your latkes be crispy and your dreidel always land on gimel!
• Wishing you light, love and miracles this Hanukkah.

Hanukkah Around the World

Place	Tradition
Israel	Public menorahs in city squares; schools close for Hanukkah break; sufganiyot everywhere
United States	The National Menorah is lit near the White House each year, a tradition since 1979
Yemenite Jewish communities	Special prayers and celebrations for daughters on the seventh night
France	Large public menorah lightings in Paris
Worldwide	Families light candles in windows to share the light with the street

Hanukkah Glossary

Word	Meaning
Hanukkah	“Dedication”, recalling the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem
Hanukkiah	The nine-branched Hanukkah menorah
Shamash	The helper candle used to light the others
Maccabees	The Jewish rebels who reclaimed the Temple
Chag Sameach	“Happy holiday” — a common greeting

Common Misconceptions

• Hanukkah is not “Jewish Christmas” — it is a separate, older festival with its own meaning.
• It is a minor festival in the Jewish calendar, though it is very popular with families.
• Its date changes each year in the Gregorian calendar because it follows the Hebrew calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions