Hanukkah 2025 begins on the evening of Sunday, December 14, 2025, and continues for eight nights, ending with nightfall on Monday, December 22, 2025. Like other Jewish holidays, Hanukkah starts at sundown (not in the morning), so the celebration begins the night before the “calendar day” most people think of.
If you’re looking for an official date reference, Chabad’s holiday calendar lists Hanukkah 2025 starting the night of Dec. 14 and ending the night of Dec. 22: see the dates here.
Hanukkah 2025 dates at a glance
- First night: Sunday evening, December 14, 2025 (at sundown)
- Eight nights total: December 14–22, 2025 (evenings)
- Ends: Monday evening, December 22, 2025 (after nightfall)
Hanukkah 2025 candle-lighting schedule (night by night)
Each night, one additional candle is lit on the hanukkiah (Hanukkah menorah). The shamash (helper candle) is used to light the other candles. Many families light shortly after sunset, and candles are traditionally left burning for at least 30 minutes.
| Night | Evening date (2025) | Candles lit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sun, Dec 14 | 1 + shamash |
| 2 | Mon, Dec 15 | 2 + shamash |
| 3 | Tue, Dec 16 | 3 + shamash |
| 4 | Wed, Dec 17 | 4 + shamash |
| 5 | Thu, Dec 18 | 5 + shamash |
| 6 | Fri, Dec 19 | 6 + shamash |
| 7 | Sat, Dec 20 | 7 + shamash |
| 8 | Sun, Dec 21 | 8 + shamash |
| Ends | Mon, Dec 22 | — |
What is Hanukkah?
Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah) is the Festival of Lights, commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the tradition of a miracle in which a small amount of oil lasted for eight days—long enough to keep the menorah burning until new oil was prepared. If you want a quick, reliable explainer of the holiday’s meaning and origins, Britannica’s overview is a helpful reference: read more about Hanukkah here.
What happens on the first night?
On the first night, families typically place one candle (plus the shamash) in the menorah, recite blessings, and light the candles after sundown. Many households mark the start of the holiday with food, songs, and time together—then add one more candle each night until the menorah is fully lit.
Traditions you’ll see during Hanukkah
- Menorah lighting: One additional candle each night, using the shamash.
- Dreidel: A traditional spinning-top game played by children and families.
- Gelt: Chocolate coins or small gifts, often tied to family traditions.
- Giving: Many families include charity (tzedakah) as part of the season.
Traditional Hanukkah foods
Because Hanukkah centers on the miracle of the oil, many traditional foods are fried in oil. Popular favorites include latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts), alongside other regional dishes and family recipes.
Why Hanukkah dates change every year
Hanukkah begins on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, which is lunar-based. That’s why the holiday shifts each year on the Gregorian calendar, landing anywhere from late November to late December.
Make Swikblog your go-to source on Google for reliable updates, smart insights, and daily trends.
