What night of Hanukkah is it tonight? If you're asking that, you're probably curious about how to keep track of the eight-day celebration that brings families together, lights up homes with the glow of the menorah, and fills the air with the scent of freshly fried latkes. Hanukkah isn’t one of the major Jewish holidays, but it's widely observed, especially in homes where traditions like lighting the candles and playing dreidel games are cherished.

Whether you're celebrating for the first time, helping a friend keep up with the dates, or just want to know what night we're on this year, you’ve come to the right place. Let's break it all down in a simple, easy-to-follow way so you never miss a night.

And if you're wondering how to explain the timing of things like “tonight” or “this night” in a way that makes sense, you're not alone. That’s why we’ll also touch on how time expressions work when it comes to holidays and daily greetings, so you know exactly what to say when you're wishing someone a happy Hanukkah night.

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Table of Contents

• Introduction
• What Is Hanukkah and Why It Matters
• Hanukkah 2025: When Does It Start and End?
• How to Know What Night of Hanukkah It Is Tonight
• Tips for Celebrating Each Night
• Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Hanukkah and Why It Matters

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday that lasts for eight nights and days. It commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century BCE. The story goes that when the Jews reclaimed the temple, they only had enough sacred oil to keep the menorah (a special candelabrum) lit for one day — but it miraculously burned for eight days, giving them time to prepare more oil.

So, to honor that miracle, people light a candle each night on a special nine-branched menorah called a hanukkiah. The ninth candle, the shamash, is used to light the others, one per night.

Though Hanukkah isn't one of the most religiously significant holidays in the Jewish calendar, it's become widely recognized, partly because of its timing close to Christmas. It’s a time for family gatherings, playing dreidel games, eating oil-fried foods like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), and giving small gifts, especially to children.

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Hanukkah 2025: When Does It Start and End?

Each year, Hanukkah starts on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar. That date changes on the Gregorian calendar every year. In 2025, Hanukkah will begin in the evening of Friday, December 26, and continue through the evening of Saturday, January 3, 2026.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the dates for each night this year:

1. Night 1: Friday, Dec 26
2. Night 2: Saturday, Dec 27
3. Night 3: Sunday, Dec 28
4. Night 4: Monday, Dec 29
5. Night 5: Tuesday, Dec 30
6. Night 6: Wednesday, Dec 31
7. Night 7: Thursday, Jan 1
8. Night 8: Friday, Jan 2

So, if you're wondering what night of Hanukkah is it tonight, just match today’s date with the list above. Keep in mind that Jewish holidays begin at sundown the night before. So, if today is January 1, 2025, then tonight is the seventh night of Hanukkah — even though the calendar day is still the 1st.

How to Know What Night of Hanukkah It Is Tonight

Figuring out what night of Hanukkah it is tonight is pretty straightforward once you know when it started and how many nights have passed. Let’s say today is December 29, 2025. That means tonight is the fourth night of Hanukkah. Each night, you add one more candle to the menorah — starting from the right and moving left — and use the shamash to light them.

You can also use a digital calendar, a Hanukkah app, or just follow a printed chart to track the nights. Some families like to mark each night with a special activity or small gift, so knowing what night it is helps keep the celebration fresh and meaningful.

And if you're trying to figure out how to greet someone during Hanukkah, the standard greeting is “Happy Hanukkah!” or in Hebrew, “Chag Sameach!” (which means “Happy Holiday!”). You can also say “Hanukkah Sameach” if you want to be more specific.

Tips for Celebrating Each Night

Each night of Hanukkah offers a chance to connect with family, reflect on the story of the holiday, and enjoy the warmth of tradition. Here are some simple tips to make each night special:

• Light the menorah together: Make it a family event. Say the blessings, light the candles, and let the glow remind you of the miracle of the oil.
• Play dreidel games: It’s a fun way to get kids involved. The four-sided spinning top has Hebrew letters on it — נ (nun), ג (gimel), ה (hei), and ש (shin) — and there are lots of variations on how to play.
• Cook or bake traditional foods: Fried foods like latkes and sufganiyot are a big part of the celebration. Try a new recipe each night or stick to a family favorite.
• Give small gifts or gelt: While it’s not required, giving gelt (chocolate coins wrapped in foil) is a popular tradition, especially for children. Some families give a small present each night.
• Share stories or history: Use the nights as a chance to teach kids the story of Hanukkah or talk about what the holiday means to your family.

You don’t need to do all of these things every night — even lighting the candles and saying a blessing together can be a powerful moment. The key is to make each night feel meaningful and connected to the heart of the holiday.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Hanukkah start and end in 2025?

Hanukkah begins in the evening of Friday, December 26, 2025, and ends in the evening of Saturday, January 3, 2026.

What night of Hanukkah is it tonight?

That depends on the current date. If today is December 29, 2025, then tonight is the fourth night. Check the list above to match the current date and see what night it is this year.

How do you greet someone during Hanukkah?

You can say “Happy Hanukkah!” or “Chag Sameach” in Hebrew. If you want to be more specific, “Hanukkah Sameach” works too.

Want to learn more about how to light the menorah and what each night means? Learn more about Hanukkah traditions here on our site.