When is Hanukkah 2022?

This year, Hanukkah starts at sundown on Sunday, December 18, 2022 and ends on Monday, December 26, 2022. In the Hebrew calendar, which follows a lunar cycle, Hanukkah always begins on the 25th day of the month of Kislev. That means it moves around the Gregorian calendar, which follows a solar cycle (the more you know!). Sometimes Hanukkah falls in November—remember the epic year of the Menurkey circa 2013?—but this year it’s smack in the middle of the American holiday season. Read on for our top eight ways to celebrate.

1. Tell the Hanukkah Story

Lots of Jews will tell you Hanukkah isn't really a major holiday from a religious perspective; the High Holidays and Passover take that cake…err matzah. However, the story Hanukkah commemorates is significant and remains as relevant as ever. It’s impossible to sum up in a nutshell but I'll try:

It's never too early to start reading the story of Hanukkah. 

Back in the 2nd century BCE, a king named Antiochus outlawed observance of all Jewish customs in Jerusalem, forcing the Jews to abandon or hide their religion. His soldiers desecrated the Holy Temple, the most sacred place in Judaism, and destroyed everything inside, including the menorah that was lit every night and the oil used for its flames. A small, brave group of Jews called the Maccabees revolted against the king's giant army and quite miraculously succeeded in their defeat, regaining control of the Temple, where they immediately rebuilt the menorah. Only a single jar of oil remained to light it—just enough to burn for one night. In yet another miracle, the oil lasted for a full eight days, offering light in the darkness and enabling the Jews to get more oil as they reclaimed the Temple and their Judaism. 

Got all that? For more on Hanukkah history and the traditions around it, check out some of our kid-friendly favorites:

PJ Library

PJ Library offers several versions of the Hanukkah story on its website geared toward different age groups. It also offers an amazing and FREE subscription service so you can receive Jewish children's books every month.

Maccabee!: The Story of Hanukkah

A graphic novel retelling of the historic story of Hanukkah, and written in rhyme to boot.

Meet the Latkes

The Latke family recounts the Hanukkah story with a twist, as Lucy Latke envisions the Maccabees as Mega Bees on the planet Chhh—confronting the eternal confusion of how to spell Hanukkah…or Chanukah.

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins

Guaranteed to tug at the heartstrings of millennials who are now parents to young kids. Hershel came on the scene in 1989 and quickly became the ultimate Hanukkah classic, even winning a Caldecott honor.

Sammy Spider’s First Hanukkah

We love the Sammy Spider series for all the Jewish holidays, as Sammy watches longingly while the Shapiro family celebrates.

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Fry up traditional Hanukkah foods like latkes (potato pancakes). Photo by Geraud Pfeiffer

2. Hanukkah Food: Latkes and Sufganiyot

It’s not Hanukkah without latkes, which we make simply because the oil reminds us of the oil that lasted in the temple (our family also gets that reminder every time our smoke detector goes off while cooking). Same deal for jelly donuts, also known as sufganiyot—fried in oil is the way! A favorite latke recipe here at Mommy Poppins is this twist on the traditional potato pancake:

Gingered Sweet Potato Pancakes

• 3 medium sweet potatoes (peeled, shredded)
• 1 medium potato (peeled, shredded)
• 2 eggs beaten
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup onion (chopped)
• 1 Tablespoon ginger root (minced)
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 3 teaspoon canola oil (divided)

In a bowl, combine all ingredients (except oil), toss to mix. In a nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, heat one teaspoon of oil over medium heat. Drop batter by 1/4 cupfuls into skillet; press lightly to flatten. Fry for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown with remaining oil and batter.

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The lighting of the candles is an important job for kids! 

3. Light the Hanukkiah

We covered why the menorah is important, but it’s technically a hanukkiah that we light on this holiday. A hanukkiah is a type of menorah only used on Hanukkah, with nine branches that include a helper candle called the Shamash. It’s tradition to sing the blessings while lighting the hanukkiah, adding a candle each night from right to left (but you light it from left to right!). Confused? PJ Library has a great cheat sheet complete with audio of the blessings. We've also found some of the internet's best hanukkiyot (e.g. the plural of hanukkiah) including this dino, a spaceship, and personalized letter block name menorahs--you're welcome!

It's time to celebrate Hanukkah, with Adam Sandler's classic song.

4. Hanukkah Songs: From Adam Sandler to the Maccabeats

When Adam Sandler sang “if you feel like the only kid in town without a Christmas tree” I felt so seen. Here are my family's favorite Hanukkah tunes to add to your holiday playlist:

• The Hanukkah Song by Adam Sandler (We like the original best, though there are now four versions!)

• A Maccabeats Hanukkah by the Maccabeats

• Hanukkah Rocks by the LeeVees

• Barenaked for Hanukkah by the Barenaked Ladies

• Happy Hanukkah by Matisyahu

• The Latke Song by Debbie Friedman

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I have a little dreidel... Photo by Melanie Preis

5. Spin the Dreidel

Dreidels are spinning tops with Hebrew letters on each side. The story goes that children used to play dreidel back in the time of the Maccabees and would use the dreidels as a diversion to distract the king's guards from seeing that they were studying Torah. The letters on the dreidel are also an acronym for Hebrew words that translate to “a great miracle happened there.” In any case, here’s how you play.

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Dip a dreidel in some paint and spin it to create a beautiful piece of art. 

6. Get Crafty

Every holiday is an excuse to tap into your inner artist. From handprints to edible dreidels, here are our picks for making your Hanukkah a crafty one.

Dreidel Spin Art

For a new spin on spin art, dip a dreidel in some paint.

Delicious Dreidels

Grab a Hershey’s kiss, a marshmallow, a pretzel stick, and some icing and you’re ready to make an edible dreidel.

Handprint Hanukkiah

Your kids' cute hands are the perfect template for this Hanukkah craft.

Make a Menorah

There are lots of ways to make your own hanukkiah from different materials, some that you can light like this egg carton menorah, and some that are just for fun, like this one made from toilet paper rolls. 

7. Give Presents: Great Hanukkah Gifts

There are so many ways to do gift-giving on Hanukkah. Some families do small gifts every night and one big gift the last night. Our kids get seven smallish gifts and donate a gift on the last night. Other families stick to traditional gelt or coins, or they might give a dollar for each night of Hanukkah (one on the first night, two dollars on the second night, and so on) which will total $36 by the end of the holiday—a significant number in Judaism. Here are some gifts that we have our eye on this year:

The whole family can get cozy in matching Hanukkah PJs.

Family Hanukkah PJs

From Target's lion Hanukkah jammies to the Hannah Anderson classic menorah print, the Internet is full of matching PJ sets for Hanukkah.

Chocolate Gelt 

One bite is an instant throwback to Hebrew school days.

Dreidel Poppit

These things come in every shape now. Check out the menorah one too.

Light-up Dreidel

You can have a Hanukkah rave with these spinning lasers. 

Hanukkah Menorah Xylophone

Learn your blessings on this bad boy.

Hanukkah Tic-Tac-Toe

I call dreidel!

Count down all 8 crazy nights. Photo by Melanie Preis

Hanukkah Countdowns

Christmas has advent calendars, and Hanukkah has some fun countdown calendars, where you open and get something small each night. This Sugarfina one gives kids a delicious sweet surprise each night, or you can get adorable Hanukkah bears and accessories from Build-A-Bear, and even a mini-nail polish treat countdown for your stylish teen from trendy Olive & June.

8. Connect with Community

Regardless of whether your family observes Hanukkah, it’s always important to expose kids to cultures and customs outside of their own. Many communities hold candle lightings and Hanukkah bazaars during the holiday season—search your local Mommy Poppins calendar for Hanukkah activities near you. So find a candle lighting, buy some sufganiyot from a local Jewish bakery, and remind your kids that the holidays include so many different traditions that we can all appreciate.

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With additional reporting by Melanie Preis

Unless noted, photos by the author