What is Hanukkah? Here’s how the Jewish holiday is celebrated
What is Hanukkah? Here are some popular traditions from the Jewish holiday known as the Festival of Lights.
Hanukkah, one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays, begins Sunday, Dec. 14.
Known as the festival of lights, Hanukkah is an eight-day holiday in the Jewish faith marked by the nightly lighting of candles.
Hanukkah commemorates the victory of the Maccabees, a group of Jewish rebel fighters, in recapturing Jerusalem’s Holy Temple in 165 BCE, according to Chabad.org and ReformJudaism.org.
During Hanukkah, fried foods, such as latkes (potato pancakes), are served, and the traditional game dreidel is played.
Hanukkah, also spelled Chanukah, is one of the most well-known Jewish holidays because of its timing around Christmas, but it is not the most significant holiday in Judaism. Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, is considered the holiest day of the Jewish year and is one of two High Holy Days, along with Rosh Hashanah, according to the University of Southern California and Henry Ford College.
Here’s what to know about Hanukkah 2025.
When is the first night of Hanukkah 2025?
This year, the first night of Hanukkah is Sunday, Dec. 14.
The dates are determined based on the Hebrew calendar.
Hanukkah 2025 dates
This year, Hanukkah falls from Dec. 14-22.
How long does Hanukkah last?
Hanukkah is eight days long.
The holiday lasts eight days because, after being recaptured, the Temple’s menorah miraculously burned for eight days, even though there was only enough oil for one day, according to History.com and Chabad.org.
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com.
