▷ What Time To Light Candles For Hanukkah?

It is one of the most important parts of the Hanukkah tradition–lighting the candles. However, deciding when and how to light them can be a bit confusing. To make things easier, here is a short guide on how to properly light candles for Hanukkah.

When to Light Candles for Hanukkah?

During the eight days of Hanukkah, candle lighting should be done immediately after sundown. On the first night, the first candle is lit and this is done until the last night where all eight candles will be lit. This covers the time from sundown to nightfall – usually taking about an hour. Here is a quick overview of when the candle lighting should be done on each day:

First Night – Immediately after sundown
Second Night – 15 minutes after sundown
Third Night – 20 minutes after sundown
Fourth Night – 25 minutes after sundown
Fifth Night – 30 minutes after sundown
Sixth Night – 35 minutes after sundown
Seventh Night – 40 minutes after sundown
Eighth Night – 45 minutes after sundown

How to Light the Candles?

In orthodox Judaism, it is customary to use a silver Hanukkah menorah with nine candle holders with eight for the actual candles and one for the shamash or the ‘helper’ candle. On the first night, the shamash candle is lit first and then used to kindle the other candles starting with the first night going from right to left. While saying the blessings, first the shamash candle is pointed to successively and then all the other candles.

As a reminder, lighting the candles for Hanukkah should only be done after sundown with exact timing depending on the day. The candles should also be lit in the proper order with the shamash candle lit first. With the right kind of Hanukkah menorah and the proper timing, the tradition of lighting the candles will be one to be remembered and enjoyed.

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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.