Hanukkah gets squeezed into a lot of December parties as a footnote: a menorah on a side table next to the tree. If you are planning a Hanukkah celebration of your own, or trying to include it properly in a bigger holiday event, it deserves more thought than that.
Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown on Friday, December 4 and runs through Saturday, December 12. Please check the dates against your own calendar or community before you send invitations, because the holiday begins at sundown. For a party, that means the first weekend and the second weekend both fall inside the holiday.
We have produced many mitzvahs and family celebrations, and we have seen what makes parties like these work. This list favors things that are fun, easy to run, and respectful.
Start with the room
- A menorah that guests can see. If you are lighting candles, plan it as a moment, with a short explanation for guests who are new to it. Check venue rules on open flame in advance; an electric menorah is a good backup.
- Blue, white, silver and gold. The palette is simple and photographs well. Avoid mixing in red and green decor unless the party is a combined holiday event.
- Fewer, larger elements. A large menorah, a long table with gelt, and a clean backdrop beat twenty small decorations.
Activities that work for mixed ages
- A dreidel tournament. Set up several tables with bowls of gelt, hand out a one-page rule sheet, and run rounds. It works for kids and for adults who will not admit they want to play.
- A latke station. Latkes with a few toppings, such as applesauce, sour cream and something savory. Make sure there is a non-dairy option.
- A gelt hunt or craft table. Good for younger children, and quiet enough that parents can talk.
- A story or tradition moment. Invite a family member or colleague to share a favorite Hanukkah memory. Keep it to five minutes.
- A giving element. Many families and companies tie Hanukkah to charitable giving. A donation table or a collection drive fits the spirit of the holiday.
Photo and video experiences for a Hanukkah party
- Printed flipbooks with a custom cover. A blue and silver cover with the party name and year makes a lasting keepsake, and guests of every age can do it. See our flipbook photo booth.
- Green screen scenes. Winter skylines, a night sky with stars, or a simple festive backdrop in your colors. See our green screen photo booth.
- Video message wall. Short clips of guests sharing a wish or a memory, combined into a recap afterward. Works well for a family celebration or an office party.
- 360 video. Good for groups dancing during the party, with the rotating platform filming up to four guests at a time. See our 360 photo booth.
If your party is part of a bigger holiday event, we can tailor the covers and scenes to include Hanukkah alongside other celebrations instead of defaulting to a single theme. Tell us what you want and we will confirm what we can make.
Planning notes
- Check dates first. Hanukkah begins at sundown, and Friday night and Saturday have their own observances, so many families prefer Sunday through Thursday evenings or a weekend afternoon.
- Ask your guests about dietary needs. Kosher or kosher-style catering is common, and a conversation with your caterer early avoids surprises.
- If you are a school or company hosting a mixed-holiday event, ask the people who celebrate Hanukkah to help plan their part. It is better than guessing.
For other December ideas, see our guides to holiday party themes, Christmas photo booth ideas, and our Bar and Bat Mitzvah page.
Planning a Hanukkah celebration? Tell us the date, the city and the guest count. We will tell you what fits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown on Friday, December 4 and runs through Saturday, December 12. Because the holiday begins at sundown, confirm the dates with your own calendar or community before sending invitations.
A dreidel tournament with gelt, a latke station, a craft or gelt-hunt table for children, a short story or tradition moment, and a giving element such as a donation table. Add a photo or video experience so guests leave with something to keep.
Yes. Flipbook covers, green screen scenes and printed designs can use your colors, your party name and the year. Tell us what you want, including whether the event also includes other holidays, and we will confirm what we can make.
Yes. We work with corporate and school events across California and travel anywhere. Ask the people who celebrate Hanukkah to help plan their part of a mixed-holiday event; it is better than guessing.
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