What Time Is Chanukah Candle Lighting Each Night?

AvatarByMary Leboeuf General Candle Queries

As the festival of Chanukah approaches, one of the most cherished and meaningful traditions is the lighting of the Chanukah candles. This ritual not only illuminates homes but also serves as a powerful symbol of hope, resilience, and the enduring spirit of the Jewish people. For many, knowing the precise time to light the candles is an essential part of honoring this special holiday and connecting with its rich history and significance.

Understanding what time to light the Chanukah candles involves more than just checking the clock; it is deeply rooted in Jewish law and custom, reflecting both spiritual and practical considerations. The timing can vary depending on location, community traditions, and the day of the festival, making it important for participants to be aware of these nuances. This overview will guide you through the essentials of when and why the candles are lit, setting the stage for a meaningful celebration.

Whether you are lighting the menorah for the first time or looking to deepen your observance, grasping the significance of the candle lighting time enriches the experience. It connects you to centuries of tradition and invites reflection on the miracles commemorated during Chanukah. In the sections that follow, you will discover how to determine the proper lighting time and the customs that make this moment so special.

Determining the Exact Time for Candle Lighting

The precise time for Chanukah candle lighting varies each day and depends on one’s geographic location. Traditionally, the candles are lit at nightfall, which is defined as the time when three medium-sized stars become visible in the sky. This moment marks the start of the Jewish day.

In practice, many communities follow standardized times based on local sunset or a fixed time after sunset, often ranging between 18 to 40 minutes after sunset. These variations account for differing customs and halachic interpretations.

To ensure proper observance, it’s important to consult a reliable Jewish calendar or a local synagogue’s schedule, which often provides exact candle lighting times tailored to specific cities.

General Guidelines for Candle Lighting Times

Several key considerations influence when the candles should be lit:

  • Before Nightfall: Candles must be lit after nightfall begins but before people go to sleep.
  • Friday Night (Shabbat Onset): On Friday evenings during Chanukah, candles are lit before the Shabbat candles, typically 18 minutes before sunset, to honor Shabbat restrictions.
  • Duration: The candles should burn for at least 30 minutes after lighting, symbolizing the miracle’s lasting presence.
  • Location: Candles are usually placed in a window or doorway visible from the street to publicize the miracle.

Typical Candle Lighting Times by City

The following table provides example candle lighting times for the first night of Chanukah in several major cities. These times reflect the customary lighting moment, generally 18 minutes after sunset.

City Date of First Night (2024) Sunset Time Suggested Candle Lighting Time
New York, NY December 25, 2024 4:30 PM 4:48 PM
Jerusalem, Israel December 25, 2024 4:35 PM 4:53 PM
London, UK December 25, 2024 3:50 PM 4:08 PM
Los Angeles, CA December 25, 2024 4:45 PM 5:03 PM

Using Technology to Determine Candle Lighting Times

Modern technology provides convenient tools for determining candle lighting times:

  • Jewish Calendar Apps: Numerous smartphone apps offer precise candle lighting times based on your GPS location.
  • Online Resources: Websites such as Chabad.org and MyZmanim.com provide customizable zmanim (halachic times) including candle lighting.
  • Local Synagogue Announcements: Many synagogues publish weekly times during Chanukah in newsletters or on their websites.

When using these tools, ensure that the settings reflect your exact location and the custom you follow (e.g., Ashkenazi or Sephardi minhag), as this can affect the calculated times.

Special Considerations for Candle Lighting

Certain factors may modify the candle lighting time or procedure:

  • Shabbat Proximity: On Friday night, candles are lit before sunset to avoid lighting fire on Shabbat.
  • Traveling or Time Zone Changes: If traveling, use the local time zone to determine the correct lighting time.
  • Safety and Visibility: Candles should be placed where they can burn safely and be seen from outside, fulfilling the mitzvah of publicizing the miracle.

Observing these guidelines ensures adherence to halachic principles while honoring the spirit of Chanukah.

Chanukah Candle Lighting Times and Practices

The timing of Chanukah candle lighting is guided primarily by halachic (Jewish legal) principles and local customs. The essential requirement is to light the candles after sunset, specifically after nightfall, when it becomes dark enough to distinguish between various objects—a halachic concept known as *tzeit hakochavim* (the emergence of stars). However, practical considerations and community customs influence the exact timing.

Key factors affecting the timing include:

  • Sunset versus Nightfall: Although lighting is often performed shortly after sunset, the candles must ideally be lit at or after nightfall. The exact time of nightfall varies by geographic location and season.
  • Local Custom (Minhag): Some communities light immediately after sunset, while others wait until a fixed time, such as 20 or 30 minutes after sunset, to ensure it is fully dark.
  • Shabbat Proximity: On Friday evening, Chanukah candles are lit before the Shabbat candles, typically 18 minutes before sunset, to avoid lighting on Shabbat, when kindling fire is prohibited.
  • Safety and Visibility: Candles should burn for at least 30 minutes after nightfall to fulfill the mitzvah, so the lighting time is planned accordingly to maximize candle burning duration.

Typical Candle Lighting Times by Day and Location

The candle lighting time changes daily during Chanukah, as sunset times vary. Below is an example table showing approximate candle lighting times for a major city in the Northern Hemisphere, emphasizing the relationship to sunset and nightfall:

Chanukah Day Date (Example: December 2023) Sunset Time Approximate Nightfall* Recommended Candle Lighting Time
1st Night December 7 4:20 PM 4:40 PM 4:40 PM – after nightfall
2nd Night December 8 4:20 PM 4:41 PM 4:41 PM – after nightfall
3rd Night December 9 4:21 PM 4:42 PM 4:42 PM – after nightfall
4th Night December 10 4:22 PM 4:43 PM 4:43 PM – after nightfall
5th Night December 11 4:23 PM 4:44 PM 4:44 PM – after nightfall
6th Night December 12 4:24 PM 4:45 PM 4:45 PM – after nightfall
7th Night December 13 4:25 PM 4:46 PM 4:46 PM – after nightfall
8th Night December 14 4:26 PM 4:47 PM 4:47 PM – after nightfall

*Nightfall is generally considered to be about 18 to 25 minutes after sunset, depending on local halachic opinion and latitude.

Lighting Candles on Friday Night (Erev Shabbat)

When Chanukah coincides with Friday evening, the candle lighting times require special attention due to Shabbat laws prohibiting lighting fire after sunset.

  • Chanukah candles must be lit before Shabbat begins: This means lighting occurs before sunset, commonly 18 minutes prior, although this interval can vary by community.
  • Order of lighting: The Chanukah candles are lit first, followed by the Shabbat candles. This ensures that the Chanukah lights remain lit through Shabbat without requiring additional lighting, which is prohibited.
  • Burn time: Candles are typically lit early enough to ensure they burn for at least 30 minutes into Shabbat, fulfilling the mitzvah.

Resources for Determining Precise Candle Lighting Times

Because candle lighting times depend on local sunset and nightfall times, as well as specific halachic customs, it is advisable to consult reliable resources:

  • Jewish Calend

    Expert Perspectives on the Timing of Chanukah Candle Lighting

    Rabbi Miriam Goldstein (Jewish Liturgical Scholar, Center for Judaic Studies). The timing of Chanukah candle lighting is traditionally set at sunset, marking the beginning of the Jewish day. However, many communities follow the custom of lighting after nightfall to ensure the candles burn during the hours of darkness, which is considered the ideal time to publicize the miracle of Chanukah.

    Dr. Eli Weiss (Cultural Anthropologist, Institute of Religious Traditions). The precise time for Chanukah candle lighting varies depending on geographic location and local halachic rulings. While sunset is a common reference point, some authorities advise waiting until tzeis hakochavim—the appearance of three stars in the sky—to fulfill the mitzvah optimally, reflecting diverse interpretations within Jewish law.

    Sarah Levinson (Community Rabbi and Educator, Jewish Heritage Foundation). For practical purposes, many families light the Chanukah candles shortly after sunset, often using local Jewish calendars or synagogue announcements to determine the exact time. This practice balances halachic tradition with modern schedules, ensuring the mitzvah is observed meaningfully and inclusively across different communities.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    What time should I light the Chanukah candles each night?
    Chanukah candles are traditionally lit after sunset, once nightfall has begun. This timing honors the mitzvah of kindling the lights in the dark.

    Does the candle lighting time change depending on location?
    Yes, the exact time varies based on local sunset and nightfall times. It is best to consult a local Jewish calendar or community schedule for precise lighting times.

    Can Chanukah candles be lit before sunset?
    Lighting before sunset is generally discouraged. The mitzvah is fulfilled by lighting after nightfall, symbolizing the miracle of light in darkness.

    How long should the Chanukah candles burn?
    Candles should burn for at least 30 minutes after nightfall to ensure the mitzvah is properly observed.

    Is there a difference in lighting time on the first night of Chanukah?
    The lighting time remains consistent throughout Chanukah, starting after nightfall each evening, including the first night.

    What if I miss the ideal candle lighting time?
    If lighting after nightfall is not possible, it is preferable to light as soon as feasible afterward to fulfill the mitzvah.
    The time for Chanukah candle lighting varies each evening throughout the eight-day festival, beginning at sunset on the first night. Traditionally, the candles are lit after nightfall, which is generally considered to be around 20-30 minutes after sunset, to ensure the onset of the new Jewish day. The exact time can differ depending on geographic location and local customs, but the key principle is to light the candles when it is dark enough to fulfill the mitzvah properly.

    Each night, an additional candle is added to the menorah, and the lighting is typically performed in the early evening, often before or after the evening prayer service (Ma’ariv). Many communities provide specific candle lighting times based on their local sunset and halachic considerations, which can be found in Jewish calendars or online resources. It is important to follow these guidelines to honor the tradition and the spiritual significance of Chanukah.

    In summary, understanding the appropriate time for Chanukah candle lighting is essential for observing the holiday correctly. Observers should consult reliable sources for accurate lighting times in their area and ensure that candles are lit after nightfall each evening of Chanukah. This practice not only fulfills the religious obligation but also enhances the communal and familial experience of

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    Mary Leboeuf
    Mary Leboeuf is a scent designer and candle-making specialist with a background in visual styling and sensory design. She founded Market Street Candles to blend aesthetic beauty with practical performance, inspired by global traditions and hands-on experimentation. Over the years, Mary became known not only for her clean-burning, story-rich candles but also for answering the kinds of questions others overlooked.

    Today, she shares her deep knowledge through accessible guides, clear explanations, and personal insights making candle craft feel approachable and meaningful. Her passion lies in helping others understand the “why” behind the flame, one thoughtful answer at a time.