25 Kislev to 2 Tevet 5786
Hanukkah 2025
Hanukkah began at sundown on Sunday 14 December, and ended at nightfall on Monday 22 December.
Hanukkah takes in one Shabbat this year: on Friday the menorah is lit before the Shabbat candles, and on Saturday night after Shabbat ends.
Hanukkah 2025 runs eight days, from sundown on Sunday 14 December.
Times for Jerusalem and New York.
- Work stops
- Days of Hanukkah when work goes on
- Begins at sundown
| Day | In Israel | Outside Israel |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 14 Dec24 Kislev | First candle, everywhere | |
| Mon 15 Dec25 Kislev | Second candle, everywhere | |
| Tue 16 Dec26 Kislev | Third candle, everywhere | |
| Wed 17 Dec27 Kislev | Fourth candle, everywhere | |
| Thu 18 Dec28 Kislev | Fifth candle, everywhere | |
| Fri 19 Dec29 Kislev | Israel:Sixth candle, lit before the Shabbat candles at 15:58 | Outside Israel:Sixth candle, lit before the Shabbat candles at 16:13 |
| Sat 20 Dec30 Kislev | Israel:Seventh candle, lit after Shabbat ends at 17:19 | Outside Israel:Seventh candle, lit after Shabbat ends at 17:17 |
| Sun 21 Dec1 Tevet | Eighth candle, everywhere | |
| Mon 22 Dec2 Tevet | Eighth day, everywhere | |
Candles 40 minutes before sunset in Jerusalem and 18 in New York. Shabbat and yom tov end when the sun is 8.5° below the horizon. The same times as our Shabbat pages.
Hanukkah is eight nights of candle lighting marking the rededication of the Temple after the Maccabean revolt, and the jar of oil that burned eight days instead of one.
What happens in Israel
Not a public holiday, so work continues, but schools close for the week. Sufganiyot appear in every bakery from late November, and public menorahs are lit in every town square.
How it is kept
- Lighting the menorah for eight nights, adding one candle each night
- Playing dreidel, the four-letter spinning top
- Chocolate gelt and gift-giving, especially for children
- Placing the menorah in a window to publicize the miracle
What people say
"Chag Hanukkah sameach" or simply "Happy Hanukkah"
On the table
Foods fried in oil for the oil miracle: latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts).
Hanukkah moves by up to a month from one year to the next, but never leaves its season.
The Hebrew calendar follows the moon and adds a month seven years in nineteen. Here is Hanukkah in every year this site has computed.
| Year | Begins at sundown | Ends at nightfall |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Wed 25 DecWednesday 25 December | Thu 2 Jan 2025Thursday 2 January 2025 |
| 2025 | Sun 14 DecSunday 14 December | Mon 22 DecMonday 22 December |
| 2026 | Fri 4 DecFriday 4 December | Sat 12 DecSaturday 12 December |
| 2027 | Fri 24 DecFriday 24 December | Sat 1 Jan 2028Saturday 1 January 2028 |
| 2028 | Tue 12 DecTuesday 12 December | Wed 20 DecWednesday 20 December |
| 2029 | Sat 1 DecSaturday 1 December | Sun 9 DecSunday 9 December |
| 2030 | Fri 20 DecFriday 20 December | Sat 28 DecSaturday 28 December |
14 other Jewish holidays fall in 2025.
The next 8 in the order they fall. Each has its own page for 2025.
Thursday 13 February
Tu BiShvat
The new year of the trees. Tree planting in Israel and eating the fruits of the land.
Friday 14 March
Purim
Celebrates the rescue of the Jews of Persia as told in the Book of Esther. Megillah readings, costumes, mishloach manot and festive meals.
Sunday 13 April
Passover (Pesach)
The festival of freedom, marking the Exodus from Egypt. Seder nights, matzah, and no chametz for eight days (seven in Israel).
Thursday 24 April
Yom HaShoah
Holocaust Remembrance Day. In Israel a two-minute siren brings the country to a standstill.
Wednesday 30 April
Yom HaZikaron
Israel's Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror, the day before Independence Day.
Friday 16 May
Lag BaOmer
The 33rd day of the Omer count. Bonfires, weddings and celebrations at Mount Meron.
Monday 2 June
Shavuot
The festival of receiving the Torah at Sinai. All-night learning and dairy foods. Two days in the diaspora, one in Israel.
Frequently asked questions
When is Hanukkah 2025?+
Hanukkah 2025 begins at sundown on Sunday 14 December and ends at nightfall on Monday 22 December. Jewish days start in the evening, so the first full day is Monday 15 December.
How long is Hanukkah?+
8 days. Eight nights everywhere, on the same dates. No difference.
Is Hanukkah different in Israel?+
Eight nights everywhere, on the same dates. No difference.
What happens in Israel on Hanukkah?+
Not a public holiday, so work continues, but schools close for the week. Sufganiyot appear in every bakery from late November, and public menorahs are lit in every town square.
What do you say on Hanukkah?+
The standard greeting is "Chag Hanukkah sameach" or simply "Happy Hanukkah".