Hanukkah 2026 in Durham Region
Hanukkah begins at sundown: Friday, December 4, 2026
Eight nights of candles, with public menorah lightings and Chanukah gatherings in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax and Pickering.
Last reviewed October 26, 2026 by the Durham Happening editorial team.
Durham lights its first Hanukkah candle on Friday, December 4, 2026, just before Shabbat begins, and the festival ends at nightfall on Saturday, December 12. In past years, the Chabad Jewish Centre of Durham Region has lit a public menorah at Oshawa City Hall with Rabbi Tzali Borenstein. We list every public lighting once its host confirms the 2026 date, and our Durham calendar adds library and community Chanukah programs.
Browse events by city: Ajax, Brock, Clarington, Oshawa, Pickering, Scugog, Uxbridge, Whitby.
Public Menorah Lightings in Durham
Durham hosts had not announced their 2026 public menorah lightings when we last checked. We add each one here once the organizer confirms it.
Chanukah Programs in Our Durham Calendar
From the Durham Happening events calendar, updated daily.
Hanukkah in Durham: Questions and Answers
What are the dates of Hanukkah 2026?
The eight nights start at sundown on Friday, December 4, 2026. The last candles are lit on Friday, December 11, and the holiday ends at nightfall on Saturday, December 12.
Why is the first candle lit early this year?
The first night is a Friday, and Shabbat begins at sundown that evening. Because of Shabbat, the first Hanukkah candle is lit before sundown on Friday, December 4.
How many candles are lit each night?
One on the first night, then one more each night after that, until eight are lit on the last night.
Do I get Hanukkah off work in Ontario?
Not by law. Ontario's Employment Standards Act has nine public holidays, and Hanukkah is not one of them. An employer may still agree to time off.
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