How to Light the Chanukah Menorah: Steps, Brachos and the Two Fridays of 2026
Eight nights. Two Fridays.
The lighting step by step, the brachos, and what changes on three nights this year.
Updated October 18, 2026. Written by Sruli Blau for Judaica Square.
Chanukah 2026 begins on Friday evening, December 4, and the eighth candle is lit on Friday evening, December 11 (dates from Hebcal). That means two of the eight nights fall on Erev Shabbos this year, and the second night is Motzei Shabbos. This page walks through the lighting itself, step by step, and then covers what changes on those three nights.
Where communities follow different customs, we say so. For anything about your own practice, ask your rav.
The 2026 calendar at a glance
Date (evening) · Lights plus shamash · What is different
Chanukah ends at nightfall on Shabbos, December 12.
Before the first night: set up once
How to light, step by step
- Arrange the lights from right to left. On the first night, place one light at the far right of the menorah (as you face it). Each night, add the new light to the left of the previous night's lights.
- Light the shamash.
- Say the brachos while holding the shamash, before lighting (see below).
- Light the newest light first. Begin with the light farthest to the left (the one added tonight) and continue to the right.
- Return the shamash to its place.
- Say Haneiros Halalu and, in many homes, sing Maoz Tzur.
The Chanukah lights themselves are for looking at, not for using. That is one reason for the shamash: any light you actually use comes from the shamash rather than the mitzvah lights.
The brachos
Two brachos are said every night. On the first night a third bracha, Shehecheyanu, is added. If you light for the first time later in Chanukah, ask your rav whether to say it then.
- ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו להדליק נר חנוכהBaruch Atah Ado-noi, Elo-heinu Melech ha'olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvosav, v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner Chanukah.
- ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם שעשה נסים לאבותינו בימים ההם בזמן הזהBaruch Atah Ado-noi, Elo-heinu Melech ha'olam, she'asah nisim la'avoseinu, bayamim haheim bazman hazeh.
- First night only:ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם שהחינו וקימנו והגיענו לזמן הזהBaruch Atah Ado-noi, Elo-heinu Melech ha'olam, shehecheyanu v'kiy'manu v'higiyanu lazman hazeh.
Wording varies slightly between siddurim (for example, some say "ner shel Chanukah"). Follow your own nusach. Many families keep a brachos card next to the menorah so everyone can read along.
When to light on weeknights
Communities differ. Some light at sunset, others at nightfall, about half an hour later. Whichever you follow, the lights need enough fuel to burn until at least half an hour after nightfall. Standard small Chanukah candles last roughly half an hour, so if you light at sunset, check that your candles or oil will last long enough. Check your local times on a reliable calendar.
Friday, December 4 and Friday, December 11
Lighting a flame is not permitted once Shabbos begins, so on Friday the menorah is lit earlier than on other nights.
How many longer lights you need
For one menorah: night 1 uses 1 light and night 8 uses 8, so you need 9 longer lights for the two Fridays, or 11 if you also want the shamash to match. Multiply by the number of people lighting. Our candles and oil guide covers the full eight night count and how to check fit.
Longer burning options in stock
Burn times below are as stated on each product listing. Confirm diameter or cup fit for your menorah on the product page.
- Wax candles listed at 1.5 hours: Family Pack Multicolor, 135 count, Tri-Color, 45 count, Pastel, 45 pack, Metallic Gold, 45 pack.
- Prefilled olive oil and olive oil blend listed at 2.5 hours or more: EZ Light colored cups, 44 count, 2.5 hours, Ohr Lights Large, 20 pack, 3 hours, Shemen Pods, 24 pack, 5 hours, Olive Oil Blend Neironim, 5 hours.
- Refillable cups: pour enough olive oil to cover the Friday burn, and pair with wicks sized for your cups.
Motzei Shabbos, December 5
Light the second night's two lights only after Shabbos has ended at nightfall. Do not prepare the menorah on Shabbos itself. At home, customs differ on whether Havdalah or the menorah comes first; follow your family's custom.
Who lights
Customs differ here too. In many Ashkenazi homes each man and boy lights his own menorah; in many Sefardi homes one menorah is lit for the household. Some families have every child light. Plan your supplies around your own family's practice.
Common questions
Which side do I start on?
Place the lights from right to left as you face the menorah, adding each new light on the left. Light from left to right, so the newest light is lit first.
Do I need a shamash?
Yes, in the common custom. The shamash is used to light the others and stands apart so it is not counted as one of the Chanukah lights.
Can I use regular Chanukah candles on Friday?
Standard Chanukah candles burn for about half an hour, which is usually too short for a lighting before Shabbos. Use candles or oil with a longer stated burn time, and ask your rav about your local times.
What if a light goes out?
On a weeknight, many relight it without a bracha, though this is not strictly required once it was lit properly. On Shabbos, do not relight it.
Can I use an electric menorah?
Many poskim hold that an electric menorah does not fulfill the mitzvah. Many use one as an extra display or where open flames are not allowed, such as a hospital, while lighting with oil or candles where possible.
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