Hanukkah (also Chanukah) is a Jewish festival lasting eight nights, beginning on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar. It commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt (2nd century BCE). The main ritual is lighting the hanukkiah (menorah) — one candle on the first night, adding one each night until all eight are lit.
Hanukkah begins on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, typically in November or December.
Hanukkah lasts eight nights and days.
The hanukkiah is a special nine-branched menorah used during Hanukkah. Eight branches hold the Hanukkah candles, and the ninth (the shamash) is used to light the others.
Hanukkah commemorates the Maccabees' victory over the Seleucid Empire and the miracle of a small amount of oil lasting eight days in the rededicated Temple.