As conversation concerning Hanukkah becomes more relevant this time of year, it is important to know the exact date the holiday is celebrated. This year, Hanukkah begins the evening of Sunday December 18th, 2022 and ends on the evening of Monday December 26th, 2022.
What is Hanukkah?
The holiday of Hanukkah is often referred to as the Festival of Lights. It lasts eight days and eight nights and commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem. It is celebrated and observed amongst the Jewish community by the lighting of candles on a menorah accompanied by prayer and the eating of special foods. Gift giving may be observed when celebrating Hanukkah. Items such as menorahs, dreidels, chocolate coins, or kosher gift baskets make excellent gifts to give to loved ones.
When Is Hanukkah Usually Celebrated?
Jewish holidays do not follow the secular Gregorian calendar. Instead, they are observed with the Hebrew calendar. Similarly to the Gregorian calendar, there are 12 months in the year.
In the Hebrew calendar, Hanukkah begins on 25 Kislev. This falls between late November and December in the Gregorian Calendar.
Historical Hanukkah Dates
Last year, Hanukkah began on November 28th and ended on December 6th. This year, in 2022, Hanukkah begins at sundown on December 18th, 2022 and ends eight days later on December 26th, 2022.
