The Festival Of Lights: 7 Surprising Groups Who Celebrate Hanukkah And Their Unique Global Traditions

Hanukkah, the eight-day "Festival of Lights," is one of the most widely recognized Jewish holidays, but the "who" behind the celebration extends far beyond the typical image of a family lighting a menorah in the United States. As of December 2025, when Hanukkah begins on the evening of Sunday, December 14, and concludes on Monday, December 22, the holiday is a global phenomenon observed by millions across every continent, encompassing a rich tapestry of Jewish denominations, interfaith families, and unique cultural expressions that all commemorate the same historical miracle. This deep dive explores the diverse array of people and communities who observe Hanukkah, detailing how their traditions vary—from the strict observance of the Orthodox to the cultural adaptations of interfaith households—and highlighting the global entities that make this festival a truly international event. The common thread for all celebrants is the nightly lighting of the *Hanukkiah* (Menorah), recalling the victory of the Maccabees and the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days instead of one in the Second Temple of Jerusalem.

The Core Celebrants: A Profile of Jewish Denominations

The primary groups who celebrate Hanukkah are, of course, the various movements and denominations within Judaism. While the core ritual of lighting the Menorah is universal, the approach to the holiday's observance, the role of gift-giving, and the emphasis on certain historical aspects can differ significantly.

• Orthodox and Haredi Judaism: For Orthodox Jews, the focus remains primarily on the religious and historical significance—the rededication of the Temple and the oil miracle. Observance is strictly traditional, with the Menorah (often lit with olive oil, mirroring the original miracle) placed in a doorway or window facing the public street. Gift-giving is often minimal, and the emphasis is heavily placed on the daily recitation of the *Hallel* prayer and the addition of the *Al HaNissim* prayer to the daily service.
• Conservative Judaism: This movement generally maintains a strong adherence to traditional practices while being open to modern interpretations. Conservative celebrants typically observe all traditional Hanukkah rituals, including the Menorah lighting, the playing of *Dreidel*, and the consumption of fried foods like *Latkes* and *Sufganiyot*. They often incorporate modern family-oriented activities alongside the religious observance, balancing tradition with contemporary life.
• Reform Judaism: Reform Judaism emphasizes the ethical and universal lessons of the holiday, such as religious freedom and the triumph of light over darkness, often downplaying the military victory aspect of the Maccabees. Celebration is highly focused on family gatherings, community events, and public Menorah lightings. The tradition of gift-giving tends to be more pronounced in Reform households, particularly in Western countries, due to the holiday's proximity to Christmas.
• Reconstructionist Judaism: A smaller, progressive movement, Reconstructionist Judaism views the holiday as a cultural and historical celebration that reflects the Jewish people's resilience. Their observance is often highly creative and communal, focusing on education, social justice themes, and incorporating contemporary music and art into the eight nights of celebration.

Global Hanukkah: Unique Traditions of the Jewish Diaspora

The celebration of Hanukkah is not confined to Israel or North America; it is a vibrant, diverse festival celebrated by Jewish communities (*Jewish Diaspora*) across the globe, each adding their own unique cultural flavor. These global traditions demonstrate the holiday's universal appeal and adaptability.

The Culinary Diversity of Oil-Fried Foods

The central theme of the oil miracle is universally celebrated through the consumption of foods fried in oil. While the Ashkenazi tradition popularized the potato pancake *Latkes* and the jelly doughnut *Sufganiyot*, other communities have their own unique delicacies:

• Sephardic and Mizrahi Communities: In North Africa and the Middle East, communities often prepare fried dough treats. These include Sfenj, a light, spongy doughnut popular in Moroccan Jewish culture; Bimuelos, a fried sweet dough ball similar to a fritter, popular among Turkish and Greek Jews; and Iraqi Zalabiya, a delicate, syrup-soaked funnel cake.
• Indian Jewish Community: The Bene Israel community in India often prepares a delicacy known as Gulab Jamun, though not exclusively a Hanukkah food, it is often incorporated into the celebrations, maintaining the tradition of fried sweets.
• Italian Jewish Community: Italian Jews often celebrate with Frittelle di Chanukkah, which are fried ricotta cheese pancakes or fritters, sometimes made with raisins.

Distinct Cultural Observances

Beyond food, the ways in which the eight nights are observed showcase significant cultural differences:

• Chag HaBanot (Festival of the Daughters): Historically celebrated by Jewish communities in North Africa (Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco) and the Middle East, this tradition takes place on the seventh night of Hanukkah. It is a celebration of women, recognizing the heroism of figures like Judith, who played a key role in the Hanukkah story, and often involves women gathering to sing, share stories, and pass down traditions.
• Public Menorahs: In many countries, especially the United States and Israel, the lighting of massive, public Menorahs has become a prominent feature. This practice, often spearheaded by the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, emphasizes the concept of *Pirsumei Nisa* (publicizing the miracle) and brings the celebration into the public square.
• The Dreidel Game: The four-sided top, *Dreidel*, is a universal symbol. The letters on the sides—Nun, Gimel, Hei, Shin (or Peh in Israel)—form the acronym for "A Great Miracle Happened There (or Here)." The game, often played for *Hanukkah Gelt* (chocolate coins), is a central tradition for children worldwide.

The Expanding 'Who': Inter-Faith Families and Public Figures

In the 21st century, the definition of "who celebrates Hanukkah" has broadened to include individuals and families who are not exclusively Jewish, reflecting a more integrated global society.

Interfaith Households

A significant and growing group of celebrants are interfaith families, where one partner is Jewish and the other is not. For these households, Hanukkah becomes a key opportunity to share and teach Jewish culture. While some traditionalists debate the appropriateness of non-Jews "celebrating" a Jewish holiday, most modern Jewish movements encourage non-Jewish partners to participate actively in the lighting of the Menorah, cooking traditional foods, and sharing the story, viewing it as an act of respect and familial unity. Tips for non-Jewish partners often center on participation without appropriation, focusing on cultural appreciation.

Public and Political Acknowledgement

Hanukkah has also become a fixture in the public sphere. Every year, a public Menorah lighting ceremony is held at the White House in the United States, and similar events take place in capital cities around the world, including at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin and Trafalgar Square in London. This public celebration is often attended by world leaders and dignitaries, acknowledging the holiday's universal themes of religious freedom and perseverance. Furthermore, many public figures and celebrities who have Jewish heritage or are part of interfaith families share their own Hanukkah celebrations on social media, further normalizing and publicizing the holiday. Celebrities like Pink, Mila Kunis, and Ashton Kutcher are among those who have publicly shared their family’s observance of the Festival of Lights in recent years. This visibility helps to share the joy and meaning of the holiday with a much wider, non-Jewish audience. In conclusion, Hanukkah is not a monolithic celebration. The "who" who celebrates this eight-day festival is a complex, global community: from the rigorously observant Orthodox Jew in Jerusalem to the Reform family in a suburban American home, from the Sephardic community enjoying *Sfenj* in Paris to the non-Jewish partner lighting a candle in an interfaith household. All are united by the enduring light of the Menorah, a symbol of freedom, resilience, and the miracle that happened long ago.