There is no single universal clock time for lighting Hanukkah candles. Many communities light shortly after sunset; others wait until nightfall, roughly 30 minutes after sunset. Use your local sunset and nightfall times, then follow your family or community custom.
Friday and Saturday are different. On Friday, light the Hanukkah menorah before the Shabbat candles and before sunset. On Saturday, wait until Shabbat has ended at nightfall. In 2026, those exceptions arrive immediately: the first night is Friday, December 4, and the second night is Saturday, December 5.
The short answer: sunset or nightfall
The Chabad menorah-lighting guide notes two widely followed approaches: lighting shortly after sunset or after nightfall. The Orthodox Union's Chanukah guide likewise frames the ideal time around the appearance of the stars.
This is why a reliable Jewish calendar is more useful than a fixed time copied from another city. Sunset changes by date and location, and nightfall is calculated differently across communities. Check the times for the place where you will actually light.
Hanukkah candle-lighting times for 2026
Hanukkah begins at sundown on Friday, December 4, 2026, and ends at nightfall on Saturday, December 12. The Chabad 2026 Hanukkah calendar confirms the nightly sequence.
| Night | Date | When to light |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Friday, December 4 | Before the Shabbat candles and before sunset; prepare longer-burning candles or enough oil. |
| 2 | Saturday, December 5 | After Shabbat ends at nightfall. The order of Havdalah and lighting follows household or community custom. |
| 3–7 | Sunday–Thursday, December 6–10 | Shortly after sunset or after nightfall, according to your custom. |
| 8 | Friday, December 11 | Before the Shabbat candles and before sunset; again use longer-burning candles or sufficient oil. |
For exact clock times, enter your city in a trusted Jewish calendar. Do not use another region's sunset time, even when it is in the same time zone.
Why Friday requires a different plan
On Friday, the Hanukkah lights are kindled before Shabbat begins, so the lighting happens earlier than on an ordinary evening. The candles or oil must still last through the required period after nightfall. Standard short-burning Hanukkah candles may not be long enough.
Check the burn time before the holiday and see our complete guide to how long Hanukkah candles should burn. In 2026, this preparation matters twice: on the first and eighth nights.
What if you miss the ideal lighting time?
Light as soon as you reasonably can. Guidance on how late to light, who should be awake or present, and whether to recite the blessings can depend on the circumstances and the tradition you follow. For a household-specific answer, ask your rabbi rather than relying on a generic cutoff.
Timing is only one part of a calm setup. Decide where to place the menorah before the candles are lit, confirm which direction to arrange and light the candles, and use our night-by-night candle count to make sure you have enough for all eight nights.
Turn the clock time into a practical plan
- Find the local times. Check sunset, nightfall and, on Friday, the Shabbat candle-lighting time for your location.
- Choose the household custom. Decide whether you follow sunset or nightfall timing before the first night.
- Count backward ten minutes. Use that time to place the candles, clear the surface and gather everyone without rushing.
- Confirm the fuel. The lights should be able to burn until at least 30 minutes after nightfall; Friday usually calls for a longer burn.
- Keep the flames supervised. Stay in the room, keep children and pets at a safe distance and clear nearby fabric, paper and greenery.
Health Canada advises using sturdy holders, keeping burning candles away from combustible materials and never leaving them unattended. Read its candle-safety guidance before choosing the lighting area.
A menorah that is easy to prepare
A clear candle layout helps when the time arrives. The Contour personalized acrylic menorah has eight matching candle cups and a taller centre shamash, set above a curved, named design. The Classic personalized acrylic menorah uses the same nine-position arrangement in a straighter silhouette. Both are active on the Maison Custom storefront; the full personalized acrylic menorah collection brings the current designs together.
Whichever menorah you use, place it on a stable, heat-safe surface and keep the flames in view. Personalization can make each family member's menorah easy to identify; it does not change the lighting time or safety plan.
Frequently asked questions
Do you light Hanukkah candles at sunset or nightfall?
Both customs are widely followed. Some communities light shortly after sunset; others wait until nightfall. Use local times and follow your family or community practice.
What time do you light Hanukkah candles on Friday?
Light the Hanukkah menorah before the Shabbat candles and before sunset. Check your local Shabbat candle-lighting time and prepare enough fuel to last until at least 30 minutes after nightfall.
What time do you light the menorah on Saturday night?
Wait until Shabbat has ended at nightfall. The order of Havdalah and menorah lighting varies by custom, so follow your household or community practice.
Can I light the menorah late at night?
Often yes, but the details can depend on who is awake, whether the lights can still be publicized and which blessings are said. Light as soon as possible and ask your rabbi when the circumstances are unusual.
