Hanukkah candles are generally lit each night after sunset, once it is clearly getting dark, with special rules when the night falls on Friday and Saturday.

Basic time to light

Most communities light the Hanukkah menorah sometime between sunset and full nightfall. The candles (or oil lamps) should be able to burn for at least about half an hour after it is dark so the mitzvah is considered properly fulfilled.

  • On regular weeknights, many people light right at or soon after sunset.
  • Others wait until full nightfall (when three stars are visible), which many authorities consider the ideal time.
  • If you are unsure, a common custom is to light shortly after it is fully dark in your location.

Special case: Friday night (Shabbat)

Because traditional Jewish law prohibits kindling fire after Shabbat begins, Hanukkah lights for Friday night must be lit earlier.

  • Light the Hanukkah candles before the Shabbat candles.
  • This is still before sunset, so people make sure to use longer candles or more oil so the Hanukkah lights will continue burning well into the evening.
  • Once Shabbat starts, no more adjustments can be made to the menorah.

Special case: Saturday night

On Saturday night (Motza’ei Shabbat), candles are lit after Shabbat ends, once it is dark again.

  • All agree the menorah is lit only after Shabbat is over (after nightfall).
  • Some Ashkenazi communities light the menorah first and then do the havdalah ceremony, while others reverse the order; both practices have rabbinic backing.
  • The most common Sephardi custom is to recite havdalah first and then light the Hanukkah candles.

If you’re running late

If someone misses the “ideal” window right after dark, many authorities allow lighting later at night, as long as some household members are still awake so the candles can still publicize the miracle.

  • If it is very late but at least one person at home will see them, people generally still light with blessings.
  • If a person knows in advance they absolutely cannot light after dark, some rabbinic opinions allow lighting somewhat earlier (after a time called “plag hamincha”), though this is usually treated as a backup solution.

Practical quick guide

  • Normal nights: After dark, aim for the first 30–60 minutes after nightfall.
  • Friday night: Before Shabbat candles and before sunset, with enough fuel to last at least half an hour after nightfall.
  • Saturday night: After Shabbat ends and it is dark; order of havdalah vs. menorah follows community or family tradition.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.