Did you know that this year the first Hanukkah candle will be lit on a Friday afternoon, just minutes before Shabbat begins? That small detail changes how many families will celebrate the first night of Hanukkah 2026.
Here is everything you need to know about Hanukkah this year, from the exact dates of all eight nights to the simple way to light a menorah at home.
When Does Hanukkah Start in 2026?
Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown on Friday, December 4, 2026 and ends at nightfall on Saturday, December 12, 2026. On the Hebrew calendar, Hanukkah always starts on the 25th of the month of Kislev. The Hebrew calendar follows the moon, so the holiday lands on a different date on the regular calendar every year.
The first candle is lit on Friday evening, December 4, just before Shabbat begins. On Saturday night, families wait until Shabbat is over before lighting the second candle. From Sunday through Thursday, one more candle is added each evening after dark. The eighth and final candle is lit on Friday, December 11, once again before the Shabbat candles, and the holiday comes to a close at nightfall the next day.
What Is Hanukkah?
Hanukkah remembers a story that took place more than two thousand years ago in the Land of Israel. A Greek king named Antiochus IV ruled over Judea and tried to force the Jewish people to give up their faith. He banned Jewish practice and turned the Temple in Jerusalem into a place of pagan worship.
A priest named Mattathias and his sons refused to obey. Led by his son Judah, known as Judah the Maccabee, a small Jewish army fought back for several years. Around 164 BC they recaptured Jerusalem, cleaned the Temple and dedicated it again to the God of Israel. The Hebrew word Hanukkah means dedication.
The Talmud tells that when the Maccabees went to light the golden menorah in the Temple, they found only one jar of pure olive oil with the seal of the High Priest. It was enough for one day, yet the menorah burned for eight days until new oil was ready. That is why Hanukkah lasts eight nights and why we light candles each night.
Is Hanukkah in the Bible?
The story of the Maccabees is told in the books of First and Second Maccabees, which appear in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles. Hanukkah also appears in the New Testament. The Gospel of John says that Jesus was in Jerusalem at the Feast of Dedication, in winter, walking in the Temple in the porch of Solomon (John 10:22 to 23). The Feast of Dedication is Hanukkah, which means Jesus himself was at the Temple during this holiday.
This is one reason many Christians today light a menorah alongside their Christmas celebrations.
How to Light the Hanukkah Menorah
A Hanukkah menorah, also called a hanukkiah, has nine branches. Eight are for the eight nights, and the ninth holds the shamash, the helper candle used to light the others.
- Place the menorah in a window or near the front door, so people outside can see the lights.
- On the first night, put one candle on the far right, plus the shamash.
- Each night, add one more candle to the left of the last one.
- Light the shamash first, then use it to light the newest candle, moving from left to right.
- Say the blessings over the candles. On the first night, families add the Shehecheyanu blessing, which thanks God for bringing us to this moment.
- Let the candles burn for at least half an hour after dark.
On Friday nights, light the Hanukkah candles before the Shabbat candles, and use candles that are large enough to keep burning until well after dark.
Because the miracle of Hanukkah is about oil, Jewish families eat food fried in oil. Outside Israel, the favorite is the latke, a crispy potato pancake. In Israel, bakeries fill their windows with sufganiyot, round doughnuts filled with jam and covered in powdered sugar.
Children play with the dreidel, a spinning top with a Hebrew letter on each of its four sides. Outside Israel the letters stand for the words A great miracle happened there. In Israel one letter is different, and the words become A great miracle happened here. Many families also give Hanukkah gelt, which can be real coins or chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil.
Get Ready for Hanukkah 2026 Now
Hanukkah starts earlier than many people expect this year, and holiday orders take time to arrive. Here are a few favorites from The Israel Store to get your home ready:
- Traditional Star of David Menorah, $29.50
- Authentic Judaica Menorah, $29.50
- Hanukkah Menorah Acrylic Ornament, $12.50
- Holiday Star of David Wrapping Paper, $22.99
- Shalom Scented Soy Candle, $22.50
You can see every option in our Hanukkah Gifts collection.
Hanukkah tells the story of a small group of Jews who refused to give up their faith and lit the menorah in Jerusalem once again. When you light your candles on December 4, tell that story to your children so they can tell it to theirs.
