Hanukkah 2026: what people eat

Hanukkah runs 4 December to 11 December 2026. Hanukkah is the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, marked by lighting a menorah each night. Food follows the oil of the story, so the table is full of fried latkes and doughnuts, with dairy dishes alongside.

Source: Hanukkah.

Also known as Chanukah, Channukah, Festival of Lights, Hanuka.

What people eat for Hanukkah

Latkes

Ashkenazi kitchens worldwide

Potato pancakes fried in oil, the Ashkenazi Hanukkah dish, made to recall the miracle of the oil in the Temple.

Source: Latke, Hanukkah.

Nate'n Al'sLos AngelesArthurs Nosh BarMontrealPerly's Restaurant and DelicatessenRichmondCentre Street DeliToronto

Sufganiyot

Israel and worldwide

Round, jelly doughnut-like pastries eaten around the world at Hanukkah, and sold powdered and iced in Israeli bakeries before the holiday.

Source: Sufganiyah.

Bimuelos

Sephardic communities

Fried dough fritters, the Sephardic counterpart to the sufganiyah, prepared at Hanukkah as well as at Christmas and Easter.

Source: Hanukkah, Bimuelos.

Dairy dishes

Widespread

Some families eat dairy products at Hanukkah to remember Judith.

Source: Hanukkah.

Hanukkah gelt

United States and worldwide

Chocolate coins wrapped in gold or silver foil, given to children during the holiday.

Source: Hanukkah gelt, Hanukkah.

Our city guides where it is celebrated

Tel AvivIsraelNew York CityUnited StatesHonoluluUnited StatesChicagoUnited StatesSacramentoUnited StatesAshevilleUnited StatesAlbuquerqueUnited StatesSan FranciscoUnited StatesCincinnatiUnited StatesBostonUnited States