Hanukkah 2026: Dates, Traditions, Recipes & Celebration Guide

Key Facts

• Hanukkah 2026: begins the evening of Friday, December 4; ends at nightfall on Saturday, December 12 — eight nights.
• All 10 GuideVora Hanukkah guides: 5 essentials plus 5 celebration guides — everything you need for all eight nights, in one place.
• Core ritual: lighting the menorah — one more candle each night after nightfall.

Start Here — The Essentials

1. When Is Hanukkah 2026? — dates, candle times, night-by-night schedule
2. What Is Hanukkah? — the story, meaning, and traditions
3. How to Light the Menorah — blessings, order, candle placement
4. How to Play Dreidel — rules, the letters, playing for gelt
5. Hanukkah Dinner Menu — full night-by-night dinner plan

Celebrate — Food, Gifts & Home

6. 15 Easy Hanukkah Recipes — latkes, sufganiyot, brisket, kugel
7. 25 Hanukkah Gifts for Kids — by age, budget & night
8. 20 Hanukkah Decoration Ideas — blue, silver & candlelight
9. 30 Happy Hanukkah Wishes — messages, cards & greetings
10. Hanukkah vs Christmas — key differences explained