The holidays are extra special this year. Not only is Dec. 25 Christmas, but it marks the beginning of Hanukkah.
This particular alignment of the holidays is rare. In fact, it has only occurred four other times since 1900.
Beginning at sundown on Wednesday, Dec. 25, Hanukkah will be celebrated until Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, according to Chabad.org.
How is Hanukkah celebrated?
Occurring in the wintertime, Hanukkah is an eight-day festival of lights, which is celebrated with nightly menorah lightings, special prayers and fried foods, according to Chabad.org.
One candle is lit each night on the menorah, which is placed in a doorway or window, each night, until all candles are lit on the eighth night. Special blessings are recited before the lighting and traditional songs are sung afterwards.
The ninth flame on the menorah is called the shamash, which is often positioned higher or lower and used to light the other lights.
How do you pronounce Hanukkah?
The word is pronounced kha-nu-kah, according to Chabad-Lubavitch of Wisconsin.
When is Hanukkah 2025?
In 2025, Hanukkah begins on Sunday, Dec. 14 and goes until Monday, Dec. 22, according to Chabad.org.
Why do the dates for Hanukkah change?
According to Reader's Digest, Hanukkah can begin as early as Nov. 28 or as late as Dec. 27 depending on the year.
The holiday seems to change dates annually since it's based on the Hebrew calendar, which is a lunisolar calendar.
How often does Hanukkah fall on Christmas?
Hanukkah falling on Christmas — sometimes dubbed "Christmukkah" — occurs rarely. Christmas and the first day of Hanukkah have occurred simultaneously four times since 1900, according to Hebcal, a Hebrew calendar tracking website. The next time it will happen is in 2035.