Celebrate the Jewish festival of lights in Trafalgar Square, at Chanukah in the Square.
Watch as the lights on the nine-branched menorah (a special candelabra) are lit each day to celebrate the festival of Chanukah, which means âÂÂdedicationâÂÂ.
About Chanukah
Chanukah is a Jewish celebration that dates back almost 2,500 years. Held from the 25th night of the Jewish month of Kislev (sundown on 6 December in 2015), Chanukah is marked by the lighting of a candle in a menorah for each night of the festival.
The origins of Chanukah, sometimes known as Hanukkah or Chanukkah, lie in an uprising against a successor of Alexander the Great around 2,400 years ago.
The revolt was successful, but the Jewish Temple was destroyed in the battle. When the Jews came to rededicate their temple, they found there was only enough sanctified oil to light it for one day.
Miraculously, the oil stayed alight for eight days. And this is why Chanukah is an eight-day celebration that’s also known as the “festival of lights”.
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