Hanukkah
Official name | Hebrew: חֲנֻכָּה or חֲנוּכָּה‎ English translation: "Establishing" or "Dedication" (of the Temple in Jerusalem)
Observed by | Jews
Type | Jewish
Significance | The Maccabees successfully rebelled against Antiochus IV Epiphanes. According to the Talmud, a late text, the Temple was purified and the wicks of the menorah miraculously burned for eight days, even though there was only enough sacred oil for one day's lighting.
Celebrations | Lighting candles each night. Singing special songs, such as Ma'oz Tzur. Reciting the Hallel prayer. Eating foods fried in oil, such as latkes and sufganiyot, and dairy foods. Playing the dreidel game, and giving Hanukkah gelt
Begins | 25 Kislev
Ends | 2 Tevet or 3 Tevet
Date | 25 Kislev, 26 Kislev, 27 Kislev, 28 Kislev, 29 Kislev, 30 Kislev, 1 Tevet, 2 Tevet, 3 Tevet
2018 date | Sunset, 2 December – nightfall, 10 December
2019 date | Sunset, 22 December – nightfall, 30 December
2020 date | Sunset, 10 December – nightfall, 18 December
2021 date | Sunset, 28 November – nightfall, 6 December
Related to | Purim, as a rabbinically decreed holiday.