What to know about Hanukkah and how it’s celebrated

As the days grow shorter in December, millions of Jewish families around the world prepare to bring light into the darkness with the celebration of Hanukkah, Judaism’s beloved “festival of lights.” This year, the eight-day celebration begins at sundown on Sunday, December 14, and continues through December 22.

Each evening during Hanukkah, families gather to light an additional candle on the menorah—a nine-branched candelabra—commemorating a miracle said to have occurred nearly 2,200 years ago. The ritual brings both spiritual significance and a sense of cultural continuity to Jewish communities worldwide.

In Hebrew, Hanukkah means “dedication,” referring to the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after a small band of Jewish fighters, known as the Maccabees, successfully liberated it from occupying foreign forces. According to the Talmud, when the victors sought to relight the Temple’s menorah, they found only enough ritually pure oil for one day, yet it miraculously burned for eight days—the time needed to prepare a fresh supply.

This historical event forms the basis for the holiday’s traditions, which include the nightly lighting of candles and the preparation of foods fried in oil, such as potato pancakes called latkes and jelly-filled doughnuts known as sufganiyot.

While the date of Hanukkah may seem to shift in the Gregorian calendar commonly used today, it actually begins consistently on the 25th day of Kislev in the Jewish calendar. Because the Jewish calendar follows lunar cycles rather than solar ones, the holiday falls at different times in the November-December period each year.

The ritual of lighting the menorah follows specific traditions. The candles are arranged from right to left, but lit from left to right, always beginning with the newest candle each night. A special ninth candle, called the shamash or “helper,” is used to light all the others. While traditional menorahs use real flames, electric versions are sometimes employed in public settings like hospitals for safety reasons.

“The symbolism of increasing light during the darkest time of year resonates deeply, especially in our current times,” explains Rabbi Sarah Levinson of Congregation Beth Shalom in Seattle. “It reminds us that even small actions can drive away darkness.”

Many families place their menorahs near windows or doorways, allowing the light to be visible from outside the home. This practice symbolizes the sharing of divine light with all nations and serves as a public declaration of faith and identity.

In recent decades, public menorah lightings have become more common, with ceremonies taking place in city squares, parks, and in front of landmarks worldwide. These events often draw participants from across the spectrum of Jewish observance—Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox—as well as curious onlookers interested in learning about the tradition.

Though historically a minor holiday in the Jewish calendar, Hanukkah has gained cultural prominence in countries where Christmas dominates the December landscape. The holiday offers Jewish families an opportunity to celebrate their heritage during a season when many other religious observances occur.

Beyond the lighting of candles, many Jewish communities incorporate charitable giving and social action into their Hanukkah observances. This practice aligns with the Jewish concept of tikkun olam—repairing the world—and reflects the belief that the Jewish people have a responsibility to improve conditions for all of humanity.

“Hanukkah teaches us that even when we feel small or powerless, we can still make a meaningful difference,” notes historian David Greenberg of Rutgers University. “The Maccabees were vastly outnumbered, but their dedication changed the course of history.”

As families gather to light their menorahs this year, they participate in a tradition that has endured for millennia, connecting generations through ritual, story, and the universal symbolism of bringing light into darkness.