Hanukkah is a special Jewish holiday that celebrates a miracle that happened a long time ago.
Whether you’re familiar with Hanukkah traditions or just curious, there’s a lot to explore about this remarkable Jewish festival. Learn more about the dates and rituals that make Hanukkah unique in this article.
What is Hanukkah?
Hanukkah, also called the Festival of Lights, is an important Jewish holiday. The holiday honors the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean Revolt, in the second century BCE.
During this revolt, a group of Jewish fighters, led by Mattathias and his son Judah Maccabee, rose against the oppressive rule of King Antiochus IV of the Seleucid Empire, who had banned Jewish religious practices.
The Jewish resistance recaptured Jerusalem and reclaimed the Temple. When they went to light the menorah, they could only find one vessel of pure oil for one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days, long enough to prepare more oil.
To celebrate this miracle, Jews light the menorah, play dreidel, and eat foods like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts). These customs honor the miracle of the oil and the victory of the Jewish people.
Why Is the Date of Hanukkah Different Every Year?
Hanukkah does not fall on a specific date every year because it is based on the Hebrew calendar, which is quite different from the Gregorian calendar used by the majority of the population today. The Hebrew calendar is lunisolar, meaning it is related to both the moon’s phases and the solar year. In this calendar, Hanukkah always begins on the 25th day of the month of Kislev.
The Hebrew calendar consists of 12 months in a regular year but adds a leap month (Adar II) occasionally to catch up with the solar year. As a result, while Hanukkah always begins on Kislev 25, its date in the Gregorian calendar varies, often taking place between late November and late December.
Hebrew Jewish calendar Eden Aviv, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
When Does Hanukkah Begin and End in 2025?
In 2025, Hanukkah begins at sunset on December 14 and continues through sunset on December 22. The menorah candles are lighted nightly to commemorate the Maccabean Revolt and the miracle of the oil.
How to Celebrate Hanukkah in 2025
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Lighting the Menorah: The chief ritual of Hanukkah consists of lighting a menorah, which has nine holders in it: eight for each night, and one for the shamash, or a helper candle. Each night, one more candle is added, starting with one on the first night and lighting all eight by the last night. This is a very special act, which shows the growing light of the holiday and reminds people of the miracle. Many place the menorah in a window for everyone to see.
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Blessings: On the first night of Hanukkah, three blessings are recited: one to sanctify the mitzvah (commandment) of lighting the candles, one for the miracle of Hanukkah, and the Shehecheyanu, thanking God for reaching this moment. On other nights, only the first two blessings are said.
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Eating Traditional Foods: Food plays an important role during Hanukkah. Fried foods are common in nature because they stand for the miracle of the oil. Some popular dishes include:
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Latkes: Fried potato pancakes, which are typically served with sour cream or applesauce.
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Sufganiyot: Jelly-filled donuts, also fried in oil.
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Other Foods include foods fried in oil in honor of the miracle of the oil, such as cheese blintzes or fritters.
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Playing Dreidel: The dreidel is a four-sided top with Hebrew letters that stand for “A great miracle happened there.” Families play dreidel games using chocolate coins (gelt) as tokens.
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Gift Giving: It is not a major tradition although it has gained this practice from the West. Some families give presents every night, while other families give presents on only certain nights.
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Singing Songs: Most of the families sing Hanukkah songs after the lights of the Menorah. Favorite ones are Maoz Tzur and children’s songs like, “I Have a Little Dreidel.”
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Community Celebrations: Beyond home rituals, communities often hold public menorah lightings and other events to celebrate Hanukkah together. This helps build a sense of community and joy during the holiday season.
Hanukkah in Modern Times
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday that celebrates the miracle of the oil in the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. According to tradition, a small amount of oil that should have lasted only one day burned for eight days. This event is central to the story of Hanukkah and its customs.
The beginnings of this tradition began so long ago, yet in modern times, Hanukkah blends traditional practices with new celebrations. For many families, Hanukkah is about spending time together, staying cozy, and having fun. One of the most important traditions is lighting the menorah, a nine-branched candelabrum. Each night, a candle is lit on the menorah, accompanied by singing traditional songs like Maoz Tzur.
Gift-giving has grown popular over time in Hanukkah celebrations, especially in places where the holiday overlaps with other gift-giving traditions like Christmas. Parents may give small presents or other meaningful things that teach a lesson in Jewish values.
Food also plays a central role in Hanukkah. Families pass down cherished recipes, involving children in the cooking to keep these traditions and create lasting memories.
How Jewish Communities Celebrate Hanukkah Around the World
Hanukkah celebrations indeed vary in different communities all over the world. Here are some examples of how different communities celebrate Hanukkah:
- United States: Public lightings of the Menorah take place across different cities. Events like the National Menorah lighting in Washington, D.C. get people together in celebration.
- Israel: The date of Hanukkah is a national and religious holiday. Families attend concerts, plays, and events. There is a school break for kids with activities including the lighting of the Menorah.
- Eastern Europe: Hanukkah celebrates Jewish culture with concerts and art exhibits on traditional music, food, and workshops throughout the towns and villages.
- Latin America: The communities of Argentina and Brazil combine Hanukkah with the culture of Latin America. There may be lighting of the Menorah with dancing and music.
- Africa: Jewish communities both in South Africa and Ethiopia come together to share meals and lighting of the menorah. Also holding events that revolve around the themes of freedom and strength.
The Lighting of the National Menorah on the White House Ellipse in Washington, DC Photo by Chabad Lubavitch is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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FAQs About Hanukkah
How Long Does Hanukkah Last?
Hanukkah is an 8-day celebration that begins on the 25th of the Hebrew calendar month called Kislev. It brings into remembrance the rededication of the Holy Temple inside Jerusalem after the Maccabean revolt.
Why Hanukkah Is Called the Festival of Lights
Hanukkah is called the Festival of Lights because it celebrates not only the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem but also the miracle of some small amount of oil lasting eight days. Lighting up the menorah each night reminds one of this event: resilience and faith.
Why is Hanukkah Celebrated for Eight Days?
Hanukkah is observed for eight days to commemorate that the oil also burned in the rededicated Temple for this length of time. This time gave the Maccabees an opportunity, after the recapture of Jerusalem, to make more oil. It ties in with Sukkot, a festival that also runs for eight days.
What Does Each Candle of the Menorah Represent?
The menorah has eight candles for each night of Hanukkah. Eight of the candles represent each night of Hanukkah, with one additional candle lit each night, to represent the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days in the rededicated Temple in Jerusalem.