Hanukkah and Christmas Align in Rare Calendar Overlap

The coinciding holidays offer opportunities for interfaith connection and reflection on shared values of light and hope.

Hanukkah begins on December 25, 2024, marking only the fourth time since 1900 that the Jewish holiday has coincided with Christmas.
Religious leaders view the overlap as a chance to foster interfaith understanding, with events like Houston's 'Chicanukah' blending Jewish and Latino traditions.
Public menorah lightings, including approximately 15,000 organized by Chabad-Lubavitch globally, emphasize the holiday's themes of religious freedom and spreading light.
Concerns about rising antisemitism and geopolitical tensions have not deterred Jewish communities from openly celebrating Hanukkah traditions this year.
Debates continue within Jewish communities about balancing cultural preservation with engaging in broader holiday practices, such as incorporating decorative lights.