Hanukkah 2026 dates
According to Hebcal's calendar, Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah) in 2026:
- Begins at sundown on Friday, December 4, with the first candle lit that evening.
- The eighth candle is lit on Friday, December 11.
- Ends at nightfall on Saturday, December 12.
Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. One candle is added on each night of the holiday on a nine-branched menorah, the hanukkiah. My Jewish Learning notes that Hanukkah songs and dreidel games are common at celebrations, along with fried foods such as latkes and, in Israel, sufganiyot (jelly donuts).
What to put in a Hanukkah song for your child
Every family keeps Hanukkah a little differently, so the song should come from yours. Useful details:
- Who lights the candles, and whether your child gets a turn this year.
- The food: latkes with applesauce or sour cream, the donuts, Grandma's recipe.
- The games: dreidel, chocolate coins, the cousin who always wins.
- The people: grandparents on a video call, friends who come on the fifth night.
- What your child loves this year, so the song is about them as well as the holiday.
We write a family song, not a prayer. The lyrics will not include blessings or religious teaching beyond what you write in the details; many families sing the blessings themselves and play the song afterwards.
How it works
There is no separate Hanukkah setting on the form, so this page starts it on "just because" with the gentle style. Write "Hanukkah" and your details in the details box and the lyrics will be about the holiday.
- Fill in the first name, age band and details.
- An AI writer drafts the lyrics about a minute after payment. Change any word, or ask for a fresh draft with a note (up to 3).
- An AI music model sings it in about 2 to 4 minutes, as a song of about two minutes. Make up to 3 sung versions and keep one.
The gentle style is warm acoustic guitar and soft piano. For a lively party on one of the nights, choose the playful or campfire sing-along style.
Hebrew words and pronunciation
Songs are sung in English, Spanish, German, French, Portuguese or Italian, not in Hebrew. A few Hebrew or Yiddish words such as dreidel, latkes or menorah usually come out fine, but the music model can stress a less common word oddly. Keep those words few, use the "how to say it" box for your child's name, and make another version if a word sounds wrong. You get up to 3 sung versions per song.
Eight nights, and price
Some families play the song each night after the candles, so the child learns the chorus by the eighth night. Others give it as the gift on one night. One price per song, shown on this page, paid once with no subscription. For several children or grandchildren, packs of 5 and 20 bring the price per song down and never expire. See pricing.
Example lyrics
Made with Still Morning for a made-up child called Eli, from these details: "Four years old. This Hanukkah he will help Abba light the candles for the first time. Loves latkes with lots of applesauce and spinning the blue dreidel Savta gave him. Savta joins on a video call from far away. He saves his chocolate coins in a jar.". Lyrics as the writer drafted them, before any edits.
[Verse 1] Little hands are ready now You watch Abba show you how One small candle, one small flame You can whisper out your name Blue dreidel from Savta spins Round and round and round it wins [Chorus] Eli, you're our shining light Warm and cozy, burning bright Every night we love you so More than you could ever know [Verse 2] Latkes piled on your plate Applesauce, you can't wait Chocolate coins go in the jar Saved for later, near and far Savta smiles on the phone Singing songs in a happy tone [Chorus] Eli, you're our shining light Warm and cozy, burning bright Every night we love you so More than you could ever know [Bridge] First Hanukkah you help to light Little spark in winter night [Chorus] Eli, you're our shining light Warm and cozy, burning bright Every night we love you so More than you could ever know
What it cannot do
It is not a religious song and it cannot sing the blessings or a traditional Hanukkah melody. It does not sing in Hebrew, and it may stress an unusual Hebrew word oddly. For a song that teaches the history in detail, a teacher or rabbi is a better guide than an AI songwriter.
Questions parents ask
When is Hanukkah 2026?
Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown on Friday, December 4 and ends at nightfall on Saturday, December 12, according to Hebcal. The eighth candle is lit on Friday, December 11.
Can the song include the Hanukkah blessings?
No. The song is a family song about your child and your traditions. Families who say the blessings usually do so themselves, before playing the song.
Can we make a song for an interfaith family that celebrates Hanukkah and Christmas?
Yes. Write both in the details and the lyrics can mention both, or make one song for each holiday. See our Christmas song page.
Can the song be from grandparents?
Yes. Write their names as the child says them in the "from" field, for example Bubbe and Zayde, or Savta and Saba.
Is it suitable for a Hebrew school class?
A teacher can make a song for a class topic too. For songs about learning topics rather than one child, see our classroom pages.
Sources
- Hebcal, Chanukah 2026. Read 2026-10-17.
- My Jewish Learning, Hanukkah 101. Read 2026-10-17.
Updated 2026-10-17. Made with AI. The words come from an AI writer working from your details, and you approve them. The music and the voice come from an AI music model (not a human singer).