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Hanukkah comes early this year. The eight night Festival of Lights begins at sundown on Friday, December 4, 2026 and ends at nightfall on Saturday, December 12, 2026, per Hebcal. Morris County marks it with free public menorah lightings, LEGO menorahs, fire truck gelt drops and plenty of latkes and donuts. Here is when Hanukkah falls and where the county’s community lightings happen.
Hanukkah 2026 Dates
- First candle: Friday evening, December 4, 2026
- Eighth and final candle: Friday evening, December 11, 2026
- Hanukkah ends: Nightfall, Saturday, December 12, 2026
Because both the first and last candles fall on a Friday night, the start of Shabbat, public lightings in Morris County will most likely land on the Saturday night, Sunday and weeknights in between. Hosts post their schedules from mid November.
Morris County’s Public Menorah Lightings
These are annual community celebrations. Their 2026 dates have not been posted yet, so here is how each one ran last season.
The Morristown Chanukah Experience
Chabad of Morristown’s celebration moved to Pioneer Park at HQ Plaza, 3 Speedwell Avenue, last year. On Monday, December 15, 2025, it opened at 4:30 p.m. inside the Headquarters Plaza lobby with The Great Big LEGO Build, Chanukah crafts and strolling entertainment, then moved outside at 5:30 p.m. for donuts, hot drinks, live Chanukah music and the Grand LEGO Menorah Lighting. It was free and open to the whole community. Watch jewishmorristown.com for 2026.
Randolph Menorah Lighting at Veterans Park
The Chabad Center for Jewish Life lights an 8 foot menorah at Veterans Park, 100 Calais Road in Randolph. Last year’s lighting on Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 6 p.m. included the Randolph Fire Department’s Grand Gelt Drop of chocolate coins and dreidel parachutes, live music, latkes, donuts and hot drinks.
Chanukah in Rockaway
The Chabad Center of Northwest New Jersey held its Chanukah in Rockaway menorah lighting on Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 6 p.m. Details for 2026 will be at onetorahway.org, or call (973) 625-1525, ext. 202.
Madison Menorah Lighting
Chabad of Southeast Morris County lights a menorah outside the Madison train station on Kings Road, moving inside to the court room at the Hartley Dodge Memorial in bad weather. Its most recent listed lighting ran from 5 to 6 p.m. Chabad of Southeast Morris County has also hosted lightings in Chatham, Florham Park, East Hanover, Harding and Green Village in past years; check ChabadCares.com or call (973) 377-0707 in late November.
More Holiday Plans
Hanukkah 2026 overlaps with a busy holiday calendar. The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey opens its holiday musical in Madison on December 5, and New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker starts at MPAC on December 11; see our holiday shows guide. Our holiday lights guide and ice skating guide cover more winter nights out, and our best bakeries list is the place to find sufganiyot.
Hanukkah 2026 FAQ
When does Hanukkah start in 2026?
Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown on Friday, December 4 and ends at nightfall on Saturday, December 12.
Where are the public menorah lightings in Morris County?
Annual community lightings are held in Morristown at Pioneer Park at HQ Plaza, in Randolph at Veterans Park, in Rockaway by the Chabad Center of Northwest New Jersey, and in Madison outside the train station. 2026 dates are posted by the hosts in mid November.
Featured photo via Pexels.
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