How are the Hanukkah dates determined?

How are Hanukkah dates determined? Hanukkah always begins on the 25th of the Hebrew month of Kislev, and because the Hebrew calendar follows both the moon and the sun, that day lands on a different Gregorian date every year. In 2026, the first candle is lit on the evening of Friday, December 4, and the festival ends after nightfall on Saturday, December 12. In this guide you will learn exactly how the date is calculated, see the dates for 2026 to 2030, find candle lighting times for major US cities, and follow a simple night-by-night summary of the eight days. We have also picked three Jewish calendars for 2026–2027 and a home guide to the Hebrew calendar, so you can see every holiday coming well in advance.

📅 How Hanukkah Dates Are Determined

Lunar months, a solar year, and a fixed calendar set in the fourth century.

The Hebrew calendar is lunisolar. Each month begins with the new moon and lasts 29 or 30 days, but the calendar is also adjusted so the festivals stay in their seasons. A purely lunar year is about 11 days shorter than a solar year, so seven times in every 19-year cycle an extra month, Adar I, is added. This is why holidays drift forward on the Gregorian calendar and then snap back.

Hanukkah is fixed to 25 Kislev and runs for eight nights. Since the Jewish day begins at nightfall, the first candle is lit on the evening that starts 25 Kislev, which is the evening of the 24th. The rule for the length of Kislev is also built into the calendar: Cheshvan and Kislev can each have 29 or 30 days depending on the year, which is why Hanukkah occasionally ends on a slightly different Hebrew date. Today's calendar rests on fixed calculations rather than live moon sightings, so the dates can be worked out decades ahead. Over the years, first candle can fall anywhere between late November and late December.

📖 Featured: A Home Guide to the Hebrew Calendar

The best way to understand why every holiday moves.

We chose this as our featured pick because it answers the question behind this whole article in a form you can return to year after year. Pair it with a wall or desk calendar and the Jewish year becomes much easier to plan around, from Hanukkah dates to Passover preparations.

🗓️ Hanukkah Dates 2026–2030

First candle, and the end of the festival, for the next five years.

Notice how the dates move: Hanukkah begins in early December in 2026, 2028 and 2029, but not until just before Christmas in 2027 and again in late December 2030. The shift is the extra Adar I month at work. In 2029 the first night falls on a Saturday evening, so the candles are lit after Shabbat ends.

🗓️ 3 Jewish Calendars for 2026–2027

Keep every holiday, Rosh Chodesh and fast day in view.

A Jewish calendar is the simplest answer to “when is Hanukkah this year?” because it shows the Hebrew and Gregorian dates side by side, along with Rosh Chodesh, fast days and every major holiday. The Hebrew Illuminations option runs for 16 months, so it carries you comfortably past the end of the 2026–2027 year, while the month planner suits anyone who likes writing in appointments and family events. Choose whichever format fits where it will hang or sit, and check the holiday listings against your local Kashrut Authority's guidance, since customs can vary.

🕯️ Candle Lighting Times: Major US Cities, 2026–2030

First-night Hanukkah candle lighting times for 12 cities.

All times PM, local time. First-night lighting: Friday nights use 18 minutes before sunset (so Hanukkah lights go in before Shabbat candles); Saturday night uses Shabbat ending (nightfall). Other weeknights shown at sunset.

Hanukkah candles are traditionally kindled at nightfall or shortly after sunset, and they should burn for at least half an hour. Customs differ, with some families lighting right at sunset and others waiting for full darkness, so treat these times as a reliable starting point and follow your own community's practice. The further north you live, the earlier the winter sunset and the earlier the candles go in. Southern cities such as Miami and Houston light more than an hour later than Boston or Seattle.

🕯️ Candle Lighting Times: All 8 Nights of Hanukkah 2026

Night-by-night times for five major US cities.

All times PM, local time. Night 1 and Night 8 fall on Fridays (earlier — before Shabbat). Night 2 is Saturday night, lit after Shabbat ends. Calculated for city centres and rounded; check your local Kashrut Authority or synagogue for your exact time.

✨ The 8 Days of Hanukkah 2026 at a Glance

What to do each night, from the first candle to the eighth.

Night 1 — Friday, December 4

Light before Shabbat candles. Three blessings are said on the first night, including Shehecheyanu. Because it is Friday, light early and use candles that will burn into the evening.

Night 2 — Saturday, December 5

Wait for Shabbat to end, say Havdalah, then light two candles plus the shamash (helper candle).

Nights 3–5 — December 6–8

Add one candle each night. Light the newest candle first, placing candles in the menorah from right to left and kindling from left to right. These are good evenings for dreidel games and latkes.

Nights 6–7 — December 9–10

The middle of the festival. Continue to add one candle each night. Many families give gelt, read the story of the Maccabees and recite Al HaNissim in prayer.

Night 8 — Friday, December 11

All eight candles plus the shamash, again lit before Shabbat. The festival ends after nightfall on Saturday, December 12.

Throughout the eight days, Hanukkah is a festival of lights, not of fasting or mourning. Work is not restricted as on Shabbat, though many families pause work while the candles burn. In total you will use 44 candles: 36 for the nights (1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8) plus 8 helper candles.

🕯️ Hanukkah Candles for All 8 Nights

Everything you need for the menorah.

Standard Hanukkah candles come in boxes of 44, which covers all eight nights exactly. Make sure the candles will burn for at least 30 minutes, and choose a longer-burning candle for Friday evening so the lights last after you have lit the Shabbat candles.

🔍 What to Look For

How to use the dates, times and calendars well.

Check the source of your calendar. A good Jewish calendar lists both the Hebrew and Gregorian date and marks that holidays begin the evening before. Always read “Hanukkah begins” as the evening, not the daytime date. Confirm times locally. Candle lighting times depend on your exact location, so use the table as a guide and confirm with your rabbi, synagogue or local Kashrut Authority, especially if you live outside the cities shown. Plan for Friday nights. When Hanukkah falls on a Friday, light the menorah first, before Shabbat candles, and use candles that burn long enough. Match candles to the menorah. Check the candle size fits your menorah's cups before the first night.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers about Hanukkah dates and candle lighting.

The Kosher Hub is not a Kosher Authority. For any advice please refer to your local Kashrut Authority.

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