Hanukkah in Victoria 2026: Menorah Lightings & Celebrations

2026 details not all confirmed yet. Victoria’s Jewish community organizations announce public Hanukkah events closer to the holiday. We’ll update this page as 2026 details are announced.

Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown on Friday, December 4, and ends at nightfall on Saturday, December 12. Because the first night falls on a Friday, the first candles are lit before sundown, ahead of Shabbat.

Victoria is home to Congregation Emanu-El, whose 1863 synagogue is the oldest surviving synagogue building in Canada, and to an active Jewish community that celebrates the Festival of Lights each year.

Public Menorah Lightings

• BC Legislature: Chabad of Vancouver Island has held public menorah lightings in front of the Legislature, with music, doughnuts (sufganiyot) and take-home dreidels and menorah kits.
• Victoria City Hall: Chabad’s Rabbi Meir Kaplan has lit a Hanukkah candle with the mayor in an annual tradition.
• Centennial Square: Congregation Emanu-El has hosted community menorah lightings downtown in past years.

Where to Find 2026 Events

• Chabad of Vancouver Island
• Congregation Emanu-El
• Congregation Kolot Mayim
• The Jewish Federation of Victoria and Vancouver Island

Hanukkah Food in Victoria

Latkes and sufganiyot are the stars of the holiday. Community celebrations usually serve both, and some local bakeries offer jelly doughnuts during the festival.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Hanukkah 2026?

From sundown on Friday, December 4, to nightfall on Saturday, December 12, 2026.

Is there a public menorah lighting in Victoria?

Yes. In past years Chabad of Vancouver Island has held one at the BC Legislature, and Congregation Emanu-El has held lightings downtown. Check their websites for 2026 details.

Part of: Victoria Christmas Guide 2026