The first candle of Hanukkah was lit by rabbis at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, as they gathered in joint prayer with families of hostages held in Gaza.Credit...Abir Sultan/EPA, via Shutterstock ...
In 2024, Hanukkah begins at sundown on Wednesday, Dec. 25, and ends at sundown on Thursday, Jan. 2. Hanukkah lasts for eight days. Hanukkah is the festival of lights, and means "dedication" in Hebrew.