Chanukah candles are lit once it is halachically “night,” with a few important nuances. The exact clock time depends on your location and community custom.
General time each night
Most communities light sometime between sunset and about 30–40 minutes after sunset, so that the candles burn for at least 30 minutes after full nightfall (when three stars are visible). Many Ashkenazi authorities allow lighting from shortly after sunset, while many Sephardi authorities prefer lighting at full nightfall itself.
If needed, the candles can still be lit later at night as long as someone in the household is awake, though some sources say not later than about half an hour before dawn, and some advise lighting then without a blessing.
Special rules for Friday and Saturday
On Friday night of Chanukah, the Chanukah candles are lit before Shabbat candles and before sunset, using candles or oil that will burn at least 30 minutes past nightfall. On Saturday night, the menorah is lit after Shabbat ends (after three stars), usually after Havdalah, following the custom of the community.
For this year’s dates
In 2025, the first candle is lit on Sunday night, December 14, and the last on Sunday night, December 21 (outside Israel). For exact local times, it is best to check a reliable Jewish calendar for your city that lists sunset and “nightfall” and then apply your community’s custom within that window.
