Chanukah 5787
Chanukah 2026 in Los Angeles
Chanukah 2026 begins Friday evening, December 4, with the first candle, and ends at nightfall on Shabbat, December 12. Eight nights of light, Hallel and thanks to Hashem for the miracles He did for our fathers, in those days and in our time.
Here is everything your family needs, from Bait Aaron at 3rd and La Peer, on the Beverly Hills border.
When is Chanukah 2026?
Chanukah 2026, night by night
Times are for Los Angeles, from Hebcal. Chanukah runs from 25 Kislev to 2 Tevet 5787. Two of the nights are Friday nights this year, so the order matters.
Friday, December 4
Night 1: 1 candle
Erev Shabbat. Light the menorah before the Shabbat candles. Shabbat candle lighting in Los Angeles is 4:25pm.
Saturday night, December 5
Night 2: 2 candles
Motzei Shabbat. Light after Shabbat ends, 5:24pm in Los Angeles.
Sunday, December 6
Night 3: 3 candles
Light at nightfall, about 5:03pm in Los Angeles.
Monday, December 7
Night 4: 4 candles
About 5:03pm.
Tuesday, December 8
Night 5: 5 candles
About 5:03pm.
Wednesday, December 9
Night 6: 6 candles
About 5:04pm.
Thursday, December 10
Night 7: 7 candles
About 5:04pm. Rosh Chodesh Tevet is Thursday and Friday.
Friday, December 11
Night 8: 8 candles
Erev Shabbat. Light the menorah before the Shabbat candles, 4:26pm in Los Angeles.
Shabbat, December 12
Zot Chanukah, the eighth day
No candles are lit on Saturday night. Shabbat ends 5:25pm.
For beginners
What is Chanukah?
Chanukah means dedication. More than 2,000 years ago, the Greek kingdom of Antiochus tried to tear the Jewish people away from the Torah. A small band of Kohanim, the Chashmonaim led by Matityahu and his son Yehudah HaMaccabi, rose up, and Hashem gave the few victory over the many.
When they came back to purify the Beit HaMikdash, they found only one small jar of pure olive oil, still sealed by the Kohen Gadol. It was enough for one day, and it burned for eight. The next year the Sages made these eight days a time of Hallel and thanks.
The story
The Maccabees, the oil and why there are eight days. Read the story of Chanukah.
What we do
Light the menorah each night, add Al HaNissim to our prayers, say Hallel each morning, and thank Hashem.
New to all this?
You are very welcome. Every Jew lights. Start with one candle and two brachot, and our learning programs can take you further.
The full guide
Everything for Chanukah
How to light the menorah
Where to place it, when to light, which candle first, and the brachot in Hebrew, transliteration and English. Step by step.
Chanukah prayers
The brachot, Haneirot Halalu, Maoz Tzur, Al HaNissim, Hallel and the Torah reading. All the prayers.
The dreidel, A to Z
The letters, the rules, how to play, gelt, and what Nes Gadol Haya Sham means. Learn the dreidel game.
Sephardic customs
One menorah per home, olive oil, Psalm 30, sfinj and the Rosh Chodesh Tevet customs. Sephardic Chanukah.
Sufganiyot and latkes in LA
Kosher bakeries with their certification, plus how to make latkes at home. Best kosher doughnuts.
Menorahs, candles and oil
Judaica stores in Pico-Robertson, Beverly Hills and the Valley. Where to buy.
Chanukah in the hospital
A patient, a new mother or family at Cedars-Sinai over Chanukah. Lighting in the hospital.
At Bait Aaron
Chanukah at the shul
Our Chanukah schedule will be posted here and on upcoming events.
Daven with us
Shacharit with Hallel every morning of Chanukah, Sunday through Friday. On Shabbat (Saturday) morning, join the 9:30am minyan and stay for Kiddush. Times are on minyan times.
Celebrate a simcha
A bris, a bar mitzvah or a Chanukah party for family and friends: our simcha hall holds up to 300 guests. A baby boy over Chanukah? See our mohel page.
Chanukah questions
When does Chanukah start in 2026?
Chanukah 2026 starts Friday evening, December 4, when the first candle is lit before Shabbat. It ends at nightfall on Shabbat, December 12, 2026.
How many nights is Chanukah?
Eight nights. One candle is lit on the first night, and one more is added each night, until eight candles burn on the last night, plus the shamash.
What time do I light the menorah in Los Angeles?
On the weeknights of Chanukah 2026, light at nightfall, about 5:03pm in Los Angeles. On Friday, light before the Shabbat candles (4:25pm on December 4 and 4:26pm on December 11). On Saturday night, light after Shabbat ends, 5:24pm on December 5.
Is Chanukah on Shabbat in 2026?
Yes, twice. The first and eighth candles are lit on Friday afternoons, before Shabbat, and Shabbat Chanukah falls on December 5 and December 12.
Is there a menorah lighting at Bait Aaron?
Our Chanukah schedule will be posted on this page and on our upcoming events page. Every family is welcome at the shul, at 301 S. La Peer Dr., at 3rd and La Peer.
Why do we eat doughnuts on Chanukah?
Foods fried in oil, like sufganiyot and latkes, remind us of the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days in the Beit HaMikdash.
Times are from Hebcal for Los Angeles. For your own home’s questions, ask your Rav.
Sources: Hebcal: Chanukah 2026 · Chabad.org: Hanukkah 2026
The Bait Aaron Chanukah guide
More for Chanukah
Questions about Chanukah, a menorah lighting, or a Chanukah simcha in our hall? Rabbi Moshe Nourollah and the Bait Aaron family are happy to help.
Call or text 310-951-1939Bait Aaron Torah Outreach Center · 301 S. La Peer Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90048 · Mara D’Asra: HaRav Moshe Nourollah, Shlita