Summarise this page 5 key points · 1 minute
- When is Hanukkah 2026?The festival ends at nightfall on Saturday 12 December.
- Public menorah lightings in CyprusLarnacaHome of the main Chabad centre and synagogue
- Kosher food, candles and menorahsKosher food: Chabad of Cyprus runs kosher catering with an order form for takeaway and delivery, and lists kosher restaurants in Larnaca on its website.
- Hanukkah with children in CyprusThe family parties are the easiest way in for children: crafts, dreidel games, doughnuts and the lighting itself.
- Practical tipsIt is not a public holiday: schools, shops and offices are open as normal.
Quick answer
Hanukkah 2026 starts at nightfall on Friday 4 December and ends on Saturday 12 December. Cyprus has a large Jewish and Israeli community, and Chabad of Cyprus holds public menorah lightings, family parties and car menorah parades in Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos and Ayia Napa, with doughnuts and latkes for everyone. Kosher food, catering and candles are available through Chabad, whose main centre is in Larnaca.
- Hanukkah 2026: the first candle is lit on the evening of Friday 4 December (before Shabbat), the eighth on the evening of Friday 11 December; the festival ends at nightfall on Saturday 12 December.
- Chabad of Cyprus has centres in Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos and Ayia Napa; the main centre is at Apollodorou 4, Larnaca (tel. 24 668753).
- Each year there are public menorah lightings in the city centres of all five towns, family parties and a menorah car parade, with free sufganiyot (doughnuts) and latkes.
- Times and places of the 2026 lightings are published by Chabad of Cyprus in late November.
- Kosher food: Chabad runs kosher catering, takeaway and a Judaica shop; kosher supervision in Cyprus is run by the Chief Rabbinate of Cyprus.
Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, runs for eight nights in December. Cyprus is home to a large Jewish and Israeli community, especially in Larnaca, Limassol and Nicosia, and Hanukkah is the time of year when it is most visible: menorahs are lit in city squares, cars with menorahs on their roofs drive through the towns and doughnuts are handed out to anyone passing by.
When is Hanukkah 2026?
| Night | Date (evening) | Candles |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Friday 4 December (before Shabbat) | 1 |
| 2 | Saturday 5 December (after Shabbat) | 2 |
| 3 | Sunday 6 December | 3 |
| 4 | Monday 7 December | 4 |
| 5 | Tuesday 8 December | 5 |
| 6 | Wednesday 9 December | 6 |
| 7 | Thursday 10 December | 7 |
| 8 | Friday 11 December (before Shabbat) | 8 |
The festival ends at nightfall on Saturday 12 December. On the two Fridays the Hanukkah candles are lit before the Shabbat candles; on Saturday 5 December they are lit after Shabbat ends. Local candle-lighting times for Larnaca, Limassol and Nicosia are on Hebcal and on the Chabad of Cyprus website.
Public menorah lightings in Cyprus
Chabad of Cyprus holds public menorah lightings every year in the centres of all five towns where it has a centre:
- LarnacaHome of the main Chabad centre and synagogue
- Limassol
- NicosiaWhere the central lighting is often attended by ministers and ambassadors
- Paphos
- Ayia Napa
Alongside the lightings there are family parties with music, a menorah car parade that drives between the towns, and volunteers giving out menorahs, sufganiyot (jam doughnuts) and latkes (potato pancakes). Everyone is welcome, Jewish or not.
The exact times and places for 2026 are announced by Chabad of Cyprus in late November, on its website and social media.
Kosher food, candles and menorahs
- Kosher food: Chabad of Cyprus runs kosher catering with an order form for takeaway and delivery, and lists kosher restaurants in Larnaca on its website.
- Candles, menorahs and dreidels: the Chabad Judaica shop sells them, and Chabad volunteers hand out free menorah kits at the public events.
- Kosher supervision: certification in Cyprus is run by the Chief Rabbinate of Cyprus, based at the Larnaca centre (Apollodorou 4, 6020 Larnaca, tel. 24 668753).
Hanukkah with children in Cyprus
The family parties are the easiest way in for children: crafts, dreidel games, doughnuts and the lighting itself. December weather in Cyprus is mild, around 17–19°C by day, so outdoor lightings are pleasant, but evenings get cool by the sea: bring a jacket. Hanukkah 2026 also overlaps with the Christmas villages and markets, so many families combine both; see our Christmas events and markets guide.
Practical tips
- It is not a public holiday: schools, shops and offices are open as normal.
- Shabbat: on Friday 4 and Friday 11 December, plan the lighting before Shabbat starts (about 16:20 in Larnaca in early December; check Hebcal for the exact time).
- Parking: central lightings draw crowds, so arrive early or walk in from the edge of town.
- Safety: if you light at home, keep the menorah away from curtains and never leave candles burning unattended.
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Frequently asked questions
When is Hanukkah 2026?
Hanukkah 2026 begins at nightfall on Friday 4 December and lasts eight nights, ending at nightfall on Saturday 12 December. On Friday 4 and Friday 11 December the candles are lit before the Shabbat candles.
Is there a public menorah lighting in Cyprus?
Yes. Chabad of Cyprus holds public menorah lightings every Hanukkah in the centres of Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos and Ayia Napa, often with ministers and ambassadors, music, doughnuts and a menorah car parade. The 2026 times and places are announced in late November.
Is there a synagogue in Cyprus?
Yes. The main synagogue is at the Chabad centre in Larnaca, and Chabad holds services and Shabbat meals in its other centres in Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos and Ayia Napa.
Where can I buy kosher food and Hanukkah candles in Cyprus?
Through Chabad of Cyprus, which runs kosher catering with takeaway and delivery and a Judaica shop for candles, menorahs and dreidels. Kosher certification on the island is handled by the Chief Rabbinate of Cyprus.
Is Hanukkah a public holiday in Cyprus?
No. Shops, schools and offices are open as usual, and the Christmas holidays start later in December.
Useful links
- Chabad Lubavitch of CyprusCentres, synagogue, kosher food, Hanukkah events (programme published late November)
- Chabad.org – Hanukkah 2026 calendarHow many candles each night and the blessings
- Hebcal – Cyprus candle-lighting times
- Chabadinfo – Chabad lights up Cyprus on ChanukahLightings in five cities, the menorah car parade and family events
