Happy Hanukkah! (Chanukah)

Posted on 12/14/2025

The first day of Hanukkah in 2025 will begin at sundown on Sunday, December 14th,  and the festival will conclude on Monday, December 22nd. 
Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish "festival of lights" that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The dates shift annually on the Gregorian calendar because the holiday consistently starts on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, which is a lunisolar calendar. 
 

What is Chanukah?

Chanukah is an eight day holiday which begins on the 25th day of the month of Kislev. It marks the miraculous victory of the Jews, led by the Maccabees, against Greek persecution and religious oppression. In addition to being victorious in war, another miracle occurred: When the Maccabees came to rededicate the Temple, they found only one flask of oil with which to light the Menorah. This small flask lasted for eight days. In order to commemorate this miracle, we light a Menorah for the eight days of Chanukah.

https://torah.org/chanukah

 
Hanukkah 2025 Key Dates
  • First Night (one candle lit): Sunday, December 14
  • Second Night (two candles lit): Monday, December 15
  • Third Night (three candles lit): Tuesday, December 16
  • Fourth Night (four candles lit): Wednesday, December 17
  • Fifth Night (five candles lit): Thursday, December 18
  • Sixth Night (six candles lit): Friday, December 19
  • Seventh Night (seven candles lit): Saturday, December 20
  • Eighth Night (eight candles lit): Sunday, December 21
  • Last Day (holiday ends at nightfall): Monday, December 22 
 
Traditions and Celebrations
Central to the celebration is the nightly lighting of a nine-branched candelabrum, known as a hanukkiah or Hanukkah menorah, using a helper candle called the shamash. One new candle (plus the shamash) is lit each night, from right to left, always lighting the newest candle first. 
Other common traditions and foods include: 
  • Playing the game of dreidel, a four-sided top with Hebrew letters.
  • Eating fried foods such as potato pancakes (latkes) and jelly-filled doughnuts (sufganiyot) to commemorate the miracle of the oil that lasted for eight days.
  • Giving gelt (chocolate coins) to children.

Made easy for kids -

Hanukkah is one of the most joyous of Jewish holidays. Learn more about the traditions and history behind the Festival of Lights known as Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah). The celebration lasts for eight nights and days.

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/celebrations/article/hanukkah
 
 
 
 
 

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