The holiday lasts eight days because, according to tradition, when the Jews rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem, one vial of oil, usually enough for one day, burned for eight days. Hanukkah is observed for eight days starting on the 25th day of Kislev, according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar.

The festival is observed by the kindling of the lights of a unique candelabrum, the nine-branched menorah or hanukiah, one additional light on each night of the holiday, progressing to eight on the final night. The typical menorah consists of eight branches with an additional visually distinct branch. The extra light is called a shamash and is given a distinct location, usually above or below the rest. The purpose of the shamash is to have a light available for practical use, as using the Hanukkah lights themselves for purposes other than publicizing and meditating upon Hanukkah is forbidden. Other Hanukkah festivities include playing dreidel and eating oil based foods such as doughnuts and latkes. Hanukkah became more widely celebrated in the 1970s, when Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson called for public awareness of the festival and encouraged the lighting of public menorahs.

On Hanukkah is it customary to eat foods that are either fried in oil, or made with cheese. The fried foods custom recalls the miracle of Hanukkah, which centered around oil. Latkes (fried potato pancakes) are traditional, topped with applesauce or sour cream, but there are many creative variations to the pancakes and the toppings. Other fried foods for Hanukkah include jelly doughnuts, and other kinds of fritters.

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