Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown on Fri, Dec 4 and ends at nightfall on Sat, Dec 12, according to Hebcal. Because it starts on a Friday, the first candles go up early, at 3:53 PM in Boston, per The Boston Report.
That’s eight nights and two weekends of latkes, jelly doughnuts and candle lightings. The MFA gives Hanukkah a whole Sunday, Shaloh House in Brighton puts menorahs on the roofs of Hummer limos, and the Vilna Shul pairs an a cappella concert with homemade sufganiyot.
Here’s what’s on, when, and where to get your latkes.
Candle lighting times in Boston
The Boston Report lists these times: 3:53 PM on Fri, Dec 4, 4:58 PM on Sat, Dec 5, 4:36 PM every night from Sun, Dec 6 through Thu, Dec 10, and 3:53 PM again on Fri, Dec 11.
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Hanukkah
Museum of Fine Arts · Boston
The MFA gives Hanukkah a whole Sunday, from 10 AM to 5 PM on Sun, Dec 6, with the Vilna Shul and Combined Jewish Philanthropies. It’s included with general admission, visitors 18 and under get in at no charge, and the community candle lighting is at 3:30 PM. Register through the Vilna Shul and it sends ticket codes ahead of time. The MFA garage is $20 for non-members.
Sun, Dec 6: two family parties
Shaloh House in Brighton throws a Chanukah Kids Party from 1 to 3 PM for $5 per child, with latke making, doughnut decorating, a LEGO menorah contest and a gelt drop.
Later that day, Temple Beth Zion at 1566 Beacon St. in Brookline hosts a third-night party from 4 to 6 PM with latkes, sufganiyot and a community hanukkiah lighting. Bring your own hanukkiah and four candles, plus a donation for the food pantry.
Tue, Dec 8: the Hummer parade in Brighton
The Grand Chanukah Hummer Parade starts at Shaloh House, 29 Chestnut Hill Ave., with a reception at 5 PM, a public menorah lighting at 5:30 and the car parade from 6 to 7. Kids can ride in Hummer limos with menorahs on the roof if you reserve a seat, and drivers who show up by 4:30 PM can get a menorah mounted on their own car. Sign up at shaloh.org/hummer.
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Hanukkah A Cappella Concert
The Vilna Shul · Boston
The Vilna Shul at 18 Phillips St. on Beacon Hill holds its annual Hanukkah a cappella concert from 7 to 9 PM on Wed, Dec 9, and tickets are $25. BerKalit headlines, Gann Academy’s ShenaniGanns open, and SlapShtick’s Ari Goldberg hosts. Doors open at 6:30 PM so you can see the exhibit American Chutzpah, the concert and candle lighting start at 7, and Israeli-style homemade sufganiyot come out at 8:15.
Latkes at Mamaleh's, Cambridge and Brookline
Mamaleh’s sells Hot Potato Latkes, three to an order with sour cream and applesauce, for $9.50, and the recipe is gluten-friendly. It has delis at 15 Hampshire St. in Kendall Square and 1659 Beacon St. in Brookline.
Hosting? The Latke Party for 8 is $2,000, and the Mamaleh’s team comes to your kitchen, fries 50 latkes and brings the applesauce and sour cream. You need to be within 15 miles of Boston. For a smaller night at home, the $99.50 Deli Classics for the Whole Family package includes six frozen latkes along with matzah ball soup, noodle kugel, knishes, bagels and rugelach.
Latkes four ways at Zaftigs, Brookline
Zaftigs at 335 Harvard St. serves potato pancakes with applesauce and sour cream for $14, and Loaded Latkes, two stacked pancakes with your choice of toppings. The Latke Piccata is $22, and the Empire Eggs put two poached eggs, spinach and smoked salmon on potato pancakes with Hollandaise for $21.
Kosher dinner at Lehrhaus, Somerville
Lehrhaus at 425 Washington St. is KVH-certified dairy kosher. It’s open Sunday through Thursday from 4:30 to 9:30 PM and closed Friday and Saturday, so plan it for a night between Sun, Dec 6 and Thu, Dec 10. Walk-ins are welcome, and reservations go up to eight people.