Hanukkah

Introduction & Top Questions
Origin and history
- The Maccabean victory
- The miracle of the oil
- Modern popularity
Traditions
- Menorah
- Liturgy and prayers
- Nonreligious traditions
- In Israel

References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images & Videos

Vintage photo of a family in front of a menorah.

Plate of golden potato pancakes with small bowls of sour cream, applesauce, and chopped green onions on a rustic wooden table.

At a Glance

Hanukkah summary

Quizzes

Judaism - Hanukkah. Jewish family lighting a candle on a menorah. Also called Festival of Lights or Feast of Lights.

Happy Hanukkah Quiz

Related Questions

How did Flavius Josephus use the name Festival of Lights for Hanukkah?
How did Hanukkah become more prominent in the United States during the 1800s?
How did Judas Maccabeus restore the Temple after it was reclaimed?
How did Mattathias begin the Maccabean revolt?
How did the Books of the Maccabees explain the eight-day Hanukkah celebration?
How did the Maccabean revolt involve conflict among Jewish groups as well as conflict with the Seleucids?
How did the proximity of Christmas influence Hanukkah traditions in the United States?
How do the Hebrew letters on an Israeli dreidel differ from those on dreidels used elsewhere?
How does the story of Hanukkah appear in the Gospel of John?
How is Hanukkah celebrated in Israel?
How is a hanukkiyah different from the seven-branched Temple menorah?
How many candles are lit on each night of Hanukkah?
How might Hanukkah have been connected to the festival of Sukkot?
In which direction are Hanukkah candles lit?
In which direction are Hanukkah candles placed in the menorah?
What do the Hebrew letters on a dreidel mean?
What does Hanukkah commemorate in Jewish history?
What does the Hebrew word Hanukkah mean?
What does the al ha-nissim prayer say about the Hanukkah story?
What is Hanukkah gelt?
What is a hanukkiyah?
What is the Hallel prayer recited during Hanukkah?
What is the purpose of the shammash candle on a hanukkiyah?
What parts of Jewish scripture are read during Hanukkah?
What roles did Reform rabbis Isaac Wise and Max Lilienthal play in Hanukkah’s modern popularity?
When does Hanukkah begin on the Jewish calendar?
When was the Second Temple rededicated by Judas Maccabeus?
Where did the dreidel game likely originate?
Which Hanukkah blessing is added only on the first night?
Which Hanukkah songs are commonly sung during the holiday?
Who led the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucids?
Who was Antiochus IV Epiphanes?
Who were the Maccabees?
Why are Hanukkah candles displayed in a visible place?
Why are Hanukkah candles lit before Sabbath candles on Friday evening?
Why are foods fried in oil traditionally eaten during Hanukkah?
Why are large public menorahs associated with the Chabad movement?
Why are latkes associated with Hanukkah?
Why are schools closed during Hanukkah in Israel?
Why are sufganiyot popular during Hanukkah in Israel?
Why did gift giving become part of some Hanukkah celebrations?
Why does Hanukkah usually fall in December on the Gregorian calendar?
Why does a Hanukkah menorah have nine branches?
Why is Hanukkah called the Festival of Lights?
What is Hanukkah?
What does Hanukkah commemorate?
Why does Hanukkah last for eight days?
How is Hanukkah celebrated?
What foods are eaten at Hanukkah?
What are the common greetings for Eid al-Fitr?
What is the difference between Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr?
When is Eid al-Fitr celebrated?
What is Las Posadas?
How is Las Posadas traditionally celebrated?

Society & Social Issues Festivals & Holidays

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External Websites

The Pluralism Project - Hanukkah
ABC listen - Sunday Nights - The Good Life: Hanukkah, Festival of Lights - Part 1
Reform Judaism - Hanukkah
Bible Odyssey - Hanukkah
BBC Newsround - Hanukkah: What is it? How is it celebrated? What do you eat and why?
PBS News - When is Hanukkah, and how is it celebrated around the world?
CBS News - What to know about Hanukkah and how it's celebrated around the world
Jewish Virtual Library - Jewish Holidays: Chanukah
University of Central Florida - What is Hanukkah?
CNN US - Your burning Hanukkah questions, answered
Live Science - Hanukkah: History and Traditions

Britannica Websites

Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

Hanukkah - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
Hanukkah - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

Hanukkah

Judaism

Also known as: Ḥanukka, Chanukah, Chanukkah, Feast of Dedication, Feast of the Maccabees, Festival of Lights(Show More)

Written and fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Nov. 11, 2026 •History

Hanukkah, Jewish festival that begins at sundown on Kislev 25 (usually in December, according to the Gregorian calendar) and is celebrated for eight days. Hanukkah reaffirms the ideals of Judaism and commemorates in particular the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem by the lighting of candles in a menorah on each day of the festival. Although not mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures, Hanukkah came to be widely celebrated and remains one of the most...

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