Every December, one silly, singable list gets stuck in millions of heads: the Adam Sandler Hanukkah song. First performed on Saturday Night Live in 1994, it gave Jewish kids a holiday song of their own and gave everyone else a good laugh. More than thirty years later, it is still one of the first things people search for when the holiday season starts. This page puts two Adam Sandler Hanukkah songs right at the top, so you can press play straight away. Below the videos you will find a quick look at who Adam Sandler is and why the song became such a hit, plus the things that make a Hanukkah party feel complete: candles for the hanukkiah, festive sweaters, and potato latke mixes for the frying pan. Hanukkah 2026 runs from 4 to 12 December, so there is plenty of time to plan the soundtrack, the outfits and the food.
🎵 Watch the Adam Sandler Hanukkah Song
Press play and sing along.
Here is the first of the two Adam Sandler Hanukkah songs. We do not reproduce the lyrics on this page, so listen on the official video above and enjoy the name-dropping as it happens.
🕯️ Hanukkah Candles for the Hanukkiah
Light all eight nights with these festive candle sets.
No Hanukkah song feels complete without the real thing: lighting the hanukkiah. We chose three candle sets that look good on the table and suit different tastes, from classic blue and white to bright multicolored. Hanukkah is celebrated for eight nights, and the full holiday uses 44 candles in total (one new candle each night, plus the helper candle called the shamash). Check the pack size on each Amazon listing so you buy enough, and make sure the candles are narrow enough to fit your hanukkiah.
🎶 A Second Adam Sandler Hanukkah Song
One song was never going to be enough.
Sandler has returned to the song several times over the years with new versions, and this is the second video for you to enjoy. Put it on at your next Hanukkah gathering and see who knows the words.
🎄 Ugly Hanukkah Sweaters
Dress for the party. The tackier, the better.
If the Adam Sandler Hanukkah song is the soundtrack of your party, an ugly Hanukkah sweater is the dress code. Ugly sweater parties have become a popular way to bring some humor to the holiday, and Hanukkah versions let you join in without borrowing from another celebration. Order early so the sweaters arrive well before the first candle, and check the size chart on each listing before you buy.
🎤 Who Is Adam Sandler?
The comedian behind the Hanukkah song.
Adam Sandler is an American comedian, actor and songwriter, born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in New Hampshire. He joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in the early 1990s and went on to become one of Hollywood's biggest comedy stars with films such as Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore and The Wedding Singer. He later won wide praise for a serious role in Uncut Gems. Through all of it, he has kept coming back to Jewish humor, including the animated Hanukkah film Eight Crazy Nights in 2002.
Why Did the Hanukkah Song Go Viral?
When the song first aired on Saturday Night Live in 1994, Christmas songs filled the airwaves every December and there were very few Hanukkah songs on the radio. Sandler has said he wrote it for the Jewish kids who never got to hear a song about their holiday, and that gave it an instant, heartfelt reason to exist. The format did the rest: a funny, easy-to-remember list of famous people who are Jewish, half Jewish, or a surprising near miss. It was quick to learn, great to sing along with and perfect to pass on to a friend.
The song also stayed fresh because Sandler kept updating it. New versions followed in 1999 and 2002, and a fourth was recorded in San Diego and posted to his Happy Madison YouTube channel in 2015, each with a new batch of names. The song was certified gold in 2009, and today it comes back every December on radio and in video feeds. For many families, playing it has become as much a part of the season as the candles and the latkes.
🥔 Potato Latke Mixes for Hanukkah
Crispy latkes made easy, from Manischewitz.
Latkes are the food of Hanukkah because they are fried in oil, a nod to the oil that lasted eight days in the Temple. A mix saves you grating and squeezing potatoes, so you can spend more time with your guests and the music. We picked three Manischewitz mixes: the classic homestyle, a low sodium version, and a vegetable version for a change of pace. Manischewitz is a long-established kosher brand, but always confirm the kosher symbol on the packaging you receive. Serve the latkes with applesauce or sour cream and put the song on while they fry.
✅ What to Look For
Practical tips for a Hanukkah party done right.
Candles: Buy at least 44 for the eight nights, and check they fit your hanukkiah. Traditionally the candles should burn for at least half an hour after nightfall, so choose a set that is long enough to last. Kosher food: For any food, look for a reliable kosher symbol on the packaging, such as the OU, OK or Star-K, and read the label to see whether the product is pareve or dairy. That matters if you plan to serve latkes with sour cream or alongside a meat meal. Sweaters and decorations: These are not food, so they carry no kosher certification. Focus on size, fabric and reviews. The songs: Stick to the official videos, as fan uploads are often removed for copyright reasons.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about the Adam Sandler Hanukkah song and your party.
Who wrote the Adam Sandler Hanukkah song?
Adam Sandler wrote and performed it. He first sang it on Saturday Night Live in 1994.
When did the Adam Sandler Hanukkah song come out?
It premiered on Saturday Night Live in 1994. A live version later appeared on his 1996 album What the Hell Happened to Me?
How many Hanukkah songs has Adam Sandler made?
Sandler has recorded and performed several versions of the song. Updated versions followed in 1999, 2002 and 2015, each with a new list of names.
Why did the Adam Sandler Hanukkah song become so popular?
It filled a gap at a time when Hanukkah songs were rare on the radio, and its funny, easy-to-sing list of famous Jewish people made it simple to remember and share.
Is the Hanukkah song from a movie?
No. It began on Saturday Night Live. Sandler also made an animated Hanukkah film, Eight Crazy Nights, in 2002.
Is it spelled Hanukkah or Chanukah?
Both are correct. The holiday's Hebrew name has no single standard English spelling. Sandler's song uses Chanukah, while Hanukkah is more common on this site.
When is Hanukkah in 2026?
Hanukkah 2026 runs from 4 to 12 December.
What do I need for a Hanukkah party?
The basics are a hanukkiah, 44 candles for the full eight nights, dreidels and gelt, plus latkes. Ugly Hanukkah sweaters and a good playlist add to the fun.
Where can I find the lyrics?
We do not reproduce lyrics here. Please use a licensed lyrics website or listen on the official video.
The Kosher Hub is not a Kosher Authority. For any advice please refer to your local Kashrut Authority.
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The Kosher Hub references products certified by recognized kosher authorities, including OU, OK, Star-K, Kof-K, and CRC. Certification symbols and status can change, so always confirm the current kosher status directly on the product packaging or via the certifying agency's own listings before purchasing.