How many days until Hanukkah?

How many days until Hanukkah? The countdown runs to the second until the day the first candle is lit – in 2026 that is Friday, December 4, 2026, in the evening. It uses your device’s clock and moves on to next year’s date by itself.

Source: Hebcal – Jewish holidays 2026–2030 (Chanukah: 1 Candle), gelesen 15.10.2026. Updated: .

until Hanukkah (first candle)

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e.g. 2026-12-24 – leave empty for New Year
With a fixed time zone, everyone who opens the link counts down to the same moment.
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Result

How it is calculated

When is Hanukkah?

Hanukkah begins on 25 Kislev in the Hebrew calendar and lasts eight nights. Because a Jewish day starts at nightfall, the first candle is lit on the evening before, the civil date of 24 Kislev – that is the date this countdown uses. The Hebrew calendar is lunisolar, so Hanukkah moves between late November and late December. The dates below come from the Hebrew calendar rules and match the Hebcal calendar.

YearFirst candle (evening)Last day
2026Friday, December 4, 2026Saturday, December 12, 2026
2027Friday, December 24, 2027Saturday, January 1, 2028
2028Tuesday, December 12, 2028Wednesday, December 20, 2028
2029Saturday, December 1, 2029Sunday, December 9, 2029
2030Friday, December 20, 2030Saturday, December 28, 2030

How the countdown works

The target is 12:00 a.m. local time on the day of the first candle, recalculated every second. Example: on November 1, 2026 there are 33 days left – 4 weeks and 5 days. To count down to candle lighting itself, enter the date and your local time, for example 4:30 p.m., above.

All Jewish holidays of the year are listed on Jewish holidays 2026; any date can be converted with the Hebrew date converter.

Limits

The countdown uses your device clock and runs to midnight, not to sunset – nightfall depends on where you are. The table follows the fixed Hebrew calendar used in Israel and the diaspora alike.

Frequently asked questions

How many days until Hanukkah?

The exact number is in the countdown above. On November 1, 2026, for example, there are 33 days left until the first candle on December 4.

When does Hanukkah 2026 start?

On the evening of Friday, December 4, 2026, when the first candle is lit. The eighth and last day is Saturday, December 12, 2026.

When is Hanukkah 2027?

The first candle is lit on the evening of Friday, December 24, 2027; the last day is Saturday, January 1, 2028.

Why does Hanukkah fall on different dates every year?

Hanukkah is fixed to 25 Kislev in the Hebrew calendar. Hebrew months follow the moon and leap years add a month, so the civil date moves between late November and late December.

How long does Hanukkah last?

Eight nights. One more candle is lit each evening until all eight burn on the last night.

Sources and legal basis

As of: · Editorial policy

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