Hanukkah 2028: The Festival of Lights
Festival guide · 2028
Hanukkah (חֲנוּכָּה) — the Festival of Lights — is an eight-night celebration beginning on 25 Kislev, commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem following the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Greek rulers in the 2nd century BCE.
The central miracle: when the Maccabees recaptured the Temple and came to light the menorah, they found only enough ritually pure oil for one day. It burned for eight days — just long enough for more to be prepared. Hanukkah means 'dedication' in Hebrew.
2028 Dates
| Date | Sunday, December 10, 2028 |
Dates are calculated automatically and may vary by ±1 day. Always confirm with your local religious authority.
Traditions & Observance
Lighting the Chanukiah
The central mitzvah of Hanukkah is lighting the nine-branched chanukiah each night at sunset. Candles are added from right to left and lit from left to right, starting with the shamash (helper candle). The chanukiah is placed by a window to publicise the miracle. Three blessings are recited on the first night; two on subsequent nights.
Fried Foods — Latkes and Sufganiyot
Foods fried in oil recall the miracle. In Ashkenazi communities, potato latkes (crispy fried pancakes, served with sour cream or applesauce) are the favourite. In Israel and Sephardic communities, sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts) are ubiquitous. Bakeries begin selling sufganiyot weeks before Hanukkah.
Dreidel and Gelt
The dreidel is a four-sided top with Hebrew letters standing for 'A great miracle happened there' (in Israel: 'here'). Players spin and win or lose tokens — traditionally chocolate coins. Gift-giving has become a widespread modern custom, with small gifts exchanged on each of the eight nights.
Public Menorah Lightings
Large public chanukiah lightings take place in town squares, airports, and landmarks worldwide — from the White House to the Eiffel Tower. Jewish organisations invite communities to public celebrations with music, doughnuts, and the shared lighting of the menorah.
Other Years
Hanukkah begins at nightfall on 25 Kislev. The exact start time depends on your location's sunset. Consult your local rabbi or synagogue.