Hanukkah 2026 starts at sundown on Friday, December 4, and the eighth candle is lit on Friday, December 11. That gives Palm Beach County families two weekends for a Hanukkah party, plus plenty of community menorah lightings. Below are the dates night by night, local events that have already posted 2026 dates, and an easy plan for hosting your own Hanukkah party with games for every age.

Hanukkah 2026 dates, night by night

Chabad.org's 2026 Hanukkah calendar lists these candle nights:

• Night 1: Friday, December 4 (light before Shabbat candles)
• Nights 2–3: Saturday, December 5 and Sunday, December 6
• Nights 4–7: Monday, December 7 through Thursday, December 10
• Night 8: Friday, December 11 (light before Shabbat candles)

Palm Beach County public schools don't start winter break until December 21, so most family parties land on the weekend: Saturday night, December 5 (after Shabbat), or Sunday, December 6. If your family also celebrates Christmas, see our winter break 2026 guide for the break dates.

Hanukkah events in Palm Beach County with 2026 dates

These events have their 2026 date posted on the host's own page (checked November 7, 2026). Times and details can change, so check the host's page before you go.

• A Night of 100 Menorahs at Temple Israel, West Palm Beach: Friday, December 4, 5–9 p.m., 1901 N. Flagler Drive. A family experience at 5 p.m., then a Shabbat Chanukah celebration and dinner at 6 p.m. ($25 per person). Bring your own menorah and candles. Listed on the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County calendar.
• Let's Gelt Together, Mandel JCC Boynton Beach: Sunday, December 6, 10 a.m. to noon. Free. Crafts, a sing-along, treats and a music and movement session, for babies 6 months and up through adults.
• Chanukah on the Beach, Singer Island: Tuesday, December 8, 4–7 p.m., Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort, 3800 N. Ocean Drive. Hosted by Chabad of Singer Island. A beach menorah is lit at sunset for the fifth night, with food, kids' activities and a DJ. Free with RSVP; seats are limited.
• Hanukkah Lights & Bites, Mandel JCC Boynton Beach: Wednesday, December 9, 5–7 p.m. Free. A community menorah lighting at sunset, food trucks, crafts, balloon twisting and a photo booth.

Bigger public lightings, like the Delray Beach Chanukah festival at Old School Square and the Boca Raton lightings, had not posted 2026 dates when we checked. Look for them on the city and Chabad sites closer to December. For tree lightings and boat parades, see our Palm Beach County holiday events list.

Why games make a Hanukkah party easier

Dreidel is a game, so games already fit the holiday. When the cousins, the neighbors and the kids from Hebrew school are all in one place, a few big games keep everyone busy while the adults light the candles, fry the latkes and talk. Games work for:

• Family parties at home, with kids of different ages.
• Synagogue, JCC and day school events that need a big activity for a crowd.
• HOA and condo gatherings on a common lawn or in a clubhouse. Our HOA holiday block party guide covers permits and space.

Games that work for a Hanukkah party

These are all Crazy Games FL's own games, and none of them is a Christmas game, so they fit any Hanukkah party. Prices are from our website on November 7, 2026.

• 4 in 1 Carnival (from $349): four carnival games in one inflatable, including a bullseye target. Easy for little kids and fun for big ones.
• Skee-Ball (from $299) and Basketball Connect 4 (from $349): great for teens, parents and grandparents too.
• Giant 4 Connect (from $195): a quiet game that works on a patio or in a clubhouse.
• Snowball Fight (from $349): soft snowballs, so it also works indoors in a social hall.
• Player One bounce house (from $449): a video game bounce house with a slide, for the younger crowd.
• Popcorn machine (from $199) and cotton candy machine (from $199): sweet treats next to the sufganiyot.
• LED Lighted Hamster Wheels: they light up, so they're a good pick once the sun goes down. Call us for the price on your date.

Want to see what a full party costs? Our party rental price guide has sample budgets.

Your Hanukkah party in 5 steps

1. Pick your night. Saturday, December 5 and Sunday, December 6 are the weekend nights, so ask for those dates early. A Sunday afternoon party is easiest for little kids.
2. Count your guests. Tell us how many kids and adults are coming, and we'll suggest how many games you need. Add a quiet game for the grown-ups.
3. Choose the spot. A backyard, clubhouse, social hall or synagogue lawn all work. A park needs a permit first. See which Palm Beach County parks allow bounce houses.
4. Check for power. Inflatables need an outlet near the setup. If there isn't one, add our generator ($175).
5. Plan for the dark. In December it gets dark early, so put the games near lights, or move the games indoors once the candles are lit.

Hanukkah party FAQ

When does Hanukkah start in 2026?

At sundown on Friday, December 4, 2026. The eighth and last candle is lit on Friday, December 11, according to Chabad.org's 2026 calendar.

Can you set up games indoors?

Yes. Games like Snowball Fight, Giant 4 Connect, Skee-Ball and Basketball Connect 4 work in a social hall, gym or clubhouse. Tell us the room size and ceiling height when you book.

What's the minimum order?

Our minimum order is $350. Delivery, setup and pickup are free within 15 miles of West Palm Beach. Farther out, a delivery fee applies.

Do you serve Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Broward?

Yes. We serve Palm Beach, Martin, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. See all areas we serve.

Book your Hanukkah party games

Book online at crazygamesfl.com, or call Crazy Games FL at 877-963-8368. Tell us your date, your guest count and where the party is, and we'll help you pick games for every age. Chag sameach!