Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, is celebrated for eight nights with candle lighting, family gatherings, and fried treats. Its date shifts from year to year, so this live countdown shows exactly how many days are left until the first night of Hanukkah.
Hanukkah at a glance
- Next date
- Friday, December 4, 2026
- Day of the week
- Friday
- How the date is set
- Hanukkah begins on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, with the first candle lit at sundown, so its date changes every year
- Category
- Holidays
Hanukkah dates for the next 5 years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday | |
| 2027 | Friday | |
| 2028 | Tuesday | |
| 2029 | Saturday | |
| 2030 | Friday |
The story of Hanukkah
Hanukkah, which means "dedication" in Hebrew, commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BCE, after the Maccabees led a successful revolt against the Seleucid Empire.
According to tradition, there was only enough pure oil to keep the Temple's menorah lit for one day, but it miraculously burned for eight days. That is why Hanukkah lasts eight nights.
Hanukkah traditions
Each night, families light the menorah (also called a hanukkiah), adding one more candle every night until all eight are lit. Fried foods recall the miracle of the oil, so latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) are holiday favorites.
Children play dreidel, a spinning top game, often for chocolate coins known as gelt, and many families exchange small gifts on each of the eight nights.
Frequently asked questions
When is Hanukkah 2026?
Hanukkah 2026 is on Friday, December 4, 2026. Hanukkah begins on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, with the first candle lit at sundown, so its date changes every year.
How many days until Hanukkah?
The live countdown at the top of this page shows exactly how many days, hours, minutes, and seconds are left until Hanukkah, calculated for your local time zone.
Why does Hanukkah fall on different dates each year?
Hanukkah follows the Hebrew calendar, which is based on both the moon and the sun. It always begins on the 25th of Kislev, but that date lands anywhere from late November to late December on the Gregorian calendar.
When is the first night of Hanukkah?
The first candle is lit at sundown on the date shown in the countdown above. Like all Jewish holidays, each day of Hanukkah begins in the evening.