How Many Days Until Hanukkah?
Live countdown to the first night of Hanukkah — in 2026, sundown on Friday, December 4
Until Hanukkah
There are 50 days until Hanukkah. That's 7 weeks and 1 day.
Event details last verified October 15, 2026
Counting down to the first night of Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah). In 2026 it begins at sundown on Friday, December 4, when the first candle is lit. The countdown runs to the start of that day in your timezone; during the eight days of Hanukkah it shows how long the festival has been going.
Hanukkah dates, 2026–2031
| Year | First candle | Last day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | First candle: Fri, Dec 4, 2026, at sundown | Last day: Sat, Dec 12, 2026 |
| 2027 | First candle: Fri, Dec 24, 2027, at sundown | Last day: Sat, Jan 1, 2028 |
| 2028 | First candle: Tue, Dec 12, 2028, at sundown | Last day: Wed, Dec 20, 2028 |
| 2029 | First candle: Sat, Dec 1, 2029, at sundown | Last day: Sun, Dec 9, 2029 |
| 2030 | First candle: Fri, Dec 20, 2030, at sundown | Last day: Sat, Dec 28, 2030 |
| 2031 | First candle: Tue, Dec 9, 2031, at sundown | Last day: Wed, Dec 17, 2031 |
Like every Jewish holiday, each day of Hanukkah begins at sundown the evening before, so the first candle is lit on the evening of the first date and the festival ends at nightfall on the last.
Frequently asked questions
When is Hanukkah 2026?
Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown on Friday, December 4, when the first candle is lit, and ends at nightfall on Saturday, December 12.
How many days until Hanukkah?
The line at the top of this page gives the days and weeks left until December 4, updated daily. The first candle is lit after sundown that evening.
Why does the date of Hanukkah change every year?
Hanukkah starts on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, which follows the moon and adds a leap month seven times every 19 years. Its Gregorian date therefore moves around, anywhere from late November to late December.
How long does Hanukkah last?
Eight nights. One more candle is lit each night, so on the last night all eight are burning, along with the shamash, the helper candle used to light the others.
When is Hanukkah 2027?
Hanukkah 2027 begins at sundown on Friday, December 24 — Christmas Eve — and ends on Saturday, January 1, 2028.
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