When Hanukkah Begins in 2025
Hanukkah in 2025 will begin after sundown on Sunday, December 14, and last for eight nights, ending on Monday, December 22. The celebration starts on the 25th day of Kislev, a month in the Hebrew calendar, which usually falls in late November or December.
The Meaning of Hanukkah
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean revolt. The holiday celebrates the miracle of the menorah oil that lasted eight days instead of one.
Traditions and Symbols
- Lighting the menorah: Each night, one new candle is lit until all eight are glowing on the final evening.
- Playing the dreidel: This spinning top game symbolizes the perseverance of Jewish tradition under oppression.
- Eating fried foods: Latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) are popular, symbolizing the oil used in the ancient miracle.
- Giving gifts and gelt: Families often exchange presents and give chocolate coins, especially to children.
Cultural and Family Celebrations
Hanukkah is typically celebrated at home with prayers, songs, traditional meals, and time spent with family. In many cities, communities host public menorah lightings and cultural events that share the holiday’s message of perseverance and faith.
“A little bit of light pushes away a lot of darkness.” — Jewish proverb often associated with Hanukkah.
Author’s Summary
Hanukkah 2025 begins at sundown on December 14 and lasts eight days, filled with light, traditional food, and family gatherings celebrating resilience and faith.
More News
- Boiler 02: The hottest new club in Jerusalem
- Raiders’ Ashton Jeanty Gets Hopeful News
- Atelier Blatin : Costumes sur mesure et mariage
- 23 spectacular photos showing colourful costumes and big stars as comics and films celebrated at Birmingham Comic Con
- Nuggets Outlast Suns 130–112 Behind Jokic and Murray Performances (Nov 29, 2025)
- Visiter Jérusalem : les 10 choses incontournables à faire
- City of David inaugurates modern boutique lodging above ancient Jerusalem heritage
- Severe Corruption Scandal Involving Bribes at Checkpoint North of Jerusalem
- Jérusalem : inauguration historique de la route des pèlerins du Second Temple
- Mason Greenwood still hopeful on England – but recall remains unrealistic