Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, lasts eight nights, and at its center is the menorah. In 2026, Hanukkah begins at sundown on Friday, December 4, and ends at nightfall on Saturday, December 12. Whether you’re lighting a menorah for the first time, hosting friends who are new to the holiday, or just want a refresher, this guide covers how the menorah works and how to light it safely.
Two kinds of menorah
The word “menorah” means lamp or candelabrum in Hebrew. The original menorah was the seven-branched lamp described in the Hebrew Bible, which was lit in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple in Jerusalem.
The menorah used at Hanukkah is different. It has nine branches and is often called a hanukkiah (also spelled chanukiah). Eight of the branches stand for the eight nights of the holiday. The ninth holds the shamash, or “helper” candle, which is used to light the others.
The holiday remembers the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean revolt in the second century BCE, and the tradition that a small supply of pure oil burned for eight days.
How the hanukkiah is set up
- Eight candle holders in a row, all at the same height.
- One shamash holder, set apart from the others: usually higher, lower or off to one side, so it is clearly different from the eight.
- Room for candles or oil. Most home menorahs take standard Hanukkah candles, and some are designed for oil cups and wicks.
Because the candles are lit one night at a time, a full box of Hanukkah candles holds 44: one candle plus the shamash on the first night, two plus the shamash on the second, and so on up to eight plus the shamash on the last night.
How to light the menorah, night by night
Adding the candles
On the first night, place one candle in the holder at the far right of the menorah (as you face it), plus the shamash. Each night after, add one more candle to the left of the previous night’s candles. By the eighth night, all eight holders are full.
Lighting the candles
- Light the shamash first.
- Say or sing the traditional blessings. On the first night an extra blessing is added.
- Use the shamash to light the other candles, starting with the newest candle (the one furthest left) and moving to the right.
- Return the shamash to its own holder.
So candles are added from right to left but lit from left to right, newest first. Customs vary between families and communities, so if your family does it a little differently, follow your own tradition.
When to light
Many families light at nightfall, and some light around sunset. The candles should be big enough to burn for at least half an hour after dark.
Friday night is the exception. Because Shabbat begins at sundown on Friday, Hanukkah candles are lit before the Shabbat candles that evening, and they need to be larger so they last until well after dark. In 2026 the first night of Hanukkah falls on a Friday, so plan to light a little earlier on December 4 and have longer-burning candles ready for both Fridays of the holiday.
On Saturday night, the Hanukkah candles are lit after Shabbat ends.
Where to put the menorah
The traditional goal is to share the light with others, so many families place the menorah in a window facing the street, or near the front door. If you live in an apartment, a front window works well. Our post on the tradition of a candle in the window looks at other window-light customs from around the world.
Wherever you place it, choose a spot that is:
- Stable and level, on a heat-safe surface or tray to catch drips.
- Well away from curtains, blinds, paper decorations and anything else that can burn.
- Out of reach of small children and pets, and away from drafts that make candles drip and flare.
Choosing a menorah
If you’re buying a hanukkiah for your home or as a gift, look for:
- A clear shamash position that stands apart from the other eight holders.
- Holders that fit standard Hanukkah candles snugly, so they stand straight.
- A wide, stable base that won’t tip when candles are added or removed.
- A drip tray or a design that’s easy to clean. Wax on metal can be removed once it cools; a few minutes in the freezer often helps it pop off.
- Enough space between candles so the flames don’t melt their neighbors.
Children’s menorahs made from ceramic or metal let kids take part with close supervision.
Electric menorahs are popular for windows, offices and anywhere an open flame isn’t allowed. Many traditions consider a flame necessary for the actual lighting ritual, so families often use an electric menorah for decoration alongside a candle or oil menorah for the blessings.
Menorah safety
- Never leave lit candles unattended. Hanukkah candles are meant to burn down on their own, so plan to stay nearby until they go out.
- Keep long hair, sleeves and holiday decorations away from the flames.
- Put the menorah on a tray or foil-covered surface to catch drips.
For more holiday candle tips, see our guides to candles and Christmas tree safety and choosing a holiday candle.
FAQ
How many candles does a menorah hold?
A Hanukkah menorah holds nine: eight for the nights of the holiday and the shamash, the helper candle used to light the others.
Which candle do you light first?
The shamash is lit first. It is then used to light the newest candle (on the left) and the rest, moving to the right.
Can I blow out Hanukkah candles?
Traditionally the candles are left to burn out on their own, so choose a safe spot and stay nearby while they burn.
When is Hanukkah in 2026?
From sundown on Friday, December 4, to nightfall on Saturday, December 12, 2026.