Hanukkah 2026: Dates, Traditions, Food and Gift Ideas

Hanukkah 2026 begins at sunset on Friday 4 December and ends at nightfall on Saturday 12 December.

The eight-day Jewish festival of lights remembers the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem and the story of oil that lasted eight days.

Traditions

  • Lighting the menorah (hanukkiah), adding one candle each night
  • Playing dreidel
  • Giving gelt (chocolate coins)
  • Saying blessings and singing songs
  • Displaying the menorah in a window

Food

  • Latkes (potato pancakes)
  • Sufganiyot (jam doughnuts)
  • Brisket
  • Fried foods, honouring the oil
  • Applesauce and sour cream

Greetings

  • Happy Hanukkah!
  • Chag Sameach! (Happy holiday)
  • Wishing you eight nights of light and joy.
  • May the lights of Hanukkah fill your home with warmth.

Gift ideas

  • Gelt and sweets
  • Books
  • A dreidel set
  • Candles
  • Small gifts for each of the eight nights

Key things to remember

  • Hanukkah dates follow the Hebrew calendar, so they change every year.
  • If sending a card, post it to arrive before the first night.

Frequently asked questions

When is Hanukkah 2026?

From sunset on Friday 4 December to nightfall on Saturday 12 December 2026.

How do you greet someone at Hanukkah?

'Happy Hanukkah' or 'Chag Sameach'.

What is a good example of hanukkah 2026?

"Lighting the menorah (hanukkiah), adding one candle each night" is one of 19 examples on this page. Pick the one closest to the tone you want, then add a specific detail of your own - a shared memory, a date, a name - so it reads as yours rather than copied.

Can I copy these messages word for word?

Yes. Everything on this page is free to copy, print and read out - no permission or credit needed. Changing one detail so it fits the person is all we would suggest.

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