Celebrate tonight
Hanukkah begins at sundown Friday, December 4, 2026 and ends at nightfall Saturday, December 12. This guide organizes the holiday by night, but it does not calculate local candle-lighting times.
Hanukkah begins at sundown Friday, December 4, 2026.
Before lighting
Place the hanukkiah on a stable, nonflammable surface away from curtains, paper, pets, and traffic. Keep children closely supervised and never leave flames unattended.
See the lighting guideDedication and the traditions you want to carry forward.
A simple latke supper with applesauce and a crisp winter salad.
Name one hope for the eight nights ahead after lighting.
Choose a shared tzedakah goal for the week.
Set out the hanukkiah, candles, matches, and a fire-safe tray.
Ask what courage, identity, and rededication mean now.
Leftover latkes re-crisped with eggs or roasted vegetables.
Read or retell the Hanukkah story for your group’s ages.
Share a book or story with someone outside your household.
Choose a short, trustworthy story before everyone gathers.
Make room for delight without turning the night into a production.
A snack-board dinner with mini latkes, fruit, dips, and warm drinks.
Run a quick dreidel round or cooperative family game.
Use the game pot as a small donation chosen by the winner.
Gather game pieces, a dreidel, and a bowl for the pot.
Explore how Jewish communities have shaped their own food traditions.
Try sufganiyot, bimuelos, sfenj, or another fried-food tradition.
Map where one recipe traveled and who carried it.
Support a local food pantry or community kitchen.
Pick one recipe and confirm dietary needs before shopping.
Welcome friends, neighbors, or someone who might otherwise be alone.
A flexible toppings bar with latkes, roasted vegetables, and bright sauces.
Trade favorite memories or invent a new annual tradition.
Pack an extra portion or care bundle for someone nearby.
Send a low-pressure invitation and ask about access or food needs.
Connect celebration with tzedakah and responsibility.
Keep dinner easy so the night has room for a giving project.
Research and choose a cause together, then act on the decision.
Donate, volunteer, write notes, or assemble useful supplies.
Decide what is realistic: money, time, goods, or advocacy.
Turn the almost-full light into a memory you can revisit.
Cook a family recipe or test a new favorite for next year.
Create a recipe card, photo note, playlist, or family story page.
Share the finished recipe or story with another household.
Collect materials before lighting so the activity stays relaxed.
Notice what felt meaningful and what you want to repeat.
A celebratory meal built from the week’s favorite dish and dessert.
Hold a short ‘keep, change, try’ conversation for next year.
Complete the family’s tzedakah goal and name the next step.
Print or copy your notes before packing the holiday materials away.