WASHINGTON — The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah , also known as the "Festival of Lights," begins this weekend.

Hanukkah commemorates the re-dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after a small group called the Maccabees defeated the Greek Syrian army. During the battle, the Jews had only enough oil to light the Temple's menorah for one night, but the oil lasted for eight.

Here are some of the top Hanukkah questions people traditionally ask about the holiday, according to Google Trends data .

When is the first night of Hanukkah?

This year, the first night of Hanukkah falls on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.

When is the last night of Hanukkah 2025?

The last night of lighting candles is Sunday, Dec. 21 and the holiday ends on Monday, Dec. 22.

What determines when Hanukkah is?

Each year, Ha

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