Hanukkah Invitation Wording: Messages for Parties, Dinners and Candle Lighting

Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown on Friday, December 4, and ends at nightfall on Saturday, December 12. Over those eight nights, many families host a candle lighting, a latke dinner or a party with friends, and the invitation is usually a short text or a digital card. This guide gives you Hanukkah invitation wording you can copy for parties, dinners and candle lighting, plus timing tips for the 2026 calendar.

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Quick Answer: What to Write on a Hanukkah Invitation

Name the night (“the fifth night of Hanukkah”), give the date and time, the address, what will happen (candle lighting, dinner, dreidel) and how to RSVP. Three you can send now:

Join us for the fifth night of Hanukkah! Tuesday, December 8 at 6 pm. Candle lighting, latkes and dreidel. Please RSVP by December 4.

Light up the night with us 🕎 Hanukkah dinner on Sunday, December 6 at 5:30. Bring your menorah if you like, we’ll light together.

Hanukkah party at ours! Saturday, December 5, from 7 pm, after Shabbat ends. Sufganiyot, music and games. RSVP: [link]

What to Include in a Hanukkah Invitation

• Which night. Saying “the third night” helps guests who light at home know how many candles to bring or expect.
• Date and start time. Candle lighting usually happens at or after sundown, so give the lighting time if it matters.
• Address and parking.
• The plan: candle lighting, blessings, dinner, latkes, dreidel, gift swap or a party.
• Food notes: dairy or meat meal, kosher or kosher-style, vegetarian options.
• What to bring: a menorah, a dish, a small gift for a swap, or nothing at all.
• RSVP deadline.

Hanukkah 2026 Calendar: Which Night to Host

• Friday, Dec 4 (first night): candles are lit before Shabbat. Many observant families keep this night for Shabbat dinner at home.
• Saturday, Dec 5 (second night): candles are lit after Shabbat ends at nightfall, so a party starting around 7 pm works well.
• Sunday, Dec 6 (third night): popular for family dinners and kids’ parties.
• Monday–Thursday, Dec 7–10 (nights four to seven): good for small weeknight dinners or a quick candle lighting with neighbors.
• Friday, Dec 11 (eighth night): again lit before Shabbat.
• Saturday, Dec 12: the eighth day; the holiday ends at nightfall.

If you are inviting guests who keep Shabbat, avoid Friday night and Saturday daytime for parties.

Hanukkah Party Invitation Wording

You’re invited to a Hanukkah Party!
Saturday, December 5 · 7:30 pm
The Cohen home · 18 Willow Street
Latkes, sufganiyot, dreidel and plenty of light. Please RSVP by December 1.

Eight nights, one party. Join us on Sunday, December 6 at 6 for candles, latkes and a white elephant gift swap ($20 limit).

Spin the dreidel with us! Kids’ Hanukkah party on Sunday, Dec 6, 3–5 pm. Crafts, chocolate gelt and a candle lighting at 4:30.

Hanukkah Dinner Invitation Wording

Please join us for Hanukkah dinner on the fourth night, Monday, December 7. Candle lighting at 5:30, dinner at 6. Brisket, latkes and applesauce, of course.

We’d love to have you at our table for the sixth night of Hanukkah, Wednesday, December 9 at 6:30. It’s a dairy meal with lots of vegetarian dishes.

Family Hanukkah dinner at Bubbe’s on Sunday, December 6 at 5. Everyone brings their menorah and we light together before dinner.

Candle Lighting Invitation Wording

Come light the menorah with us! Third night of Hanukkah, Sunday, December 6 at 5 pm. Short and sweet: blessings, candles and hot cocoa.

Neighbors, we’re lighting the menorah on our front steps on Tuesday, December 8 at 5:15. Everyone is welcome to stop by for a few minutes and a donut.

Join our community candle lighting on the eighth night. Friday, December 11, before sundown. Bring a menorah or share ours.

Short Hanukkah Texts for WhatsApp and Group Chats

Happy almost-Hanukkah! We’re hosting the fifth night, Tue Dec 8 at 6. Latkes on us. Can you make it?

Hanukkah dinner Sunday the 6th at 5:30 🕎 Reply with how many are coming!

Reminder: candle lighting tomorrow at 5:15, dinner after. Bring your appetite and your best dreidel skills.

We’re doing a gift swap this year: one gift per person, $25 limit. See you Saturday!

Wording for Specific Situations

Interfaith family or friends new to Hanukkah

We’d love for you to celebrate Hanukkah with us! We’ll light the candles, say the blessings (we’ll explain as we go) and eat way too many latkes. No experience needed.

Office or team Hanukkah gathering

Join us for a short Hanukkah celebration on Wednesday, December 9 at 4 pm in the kitchen. Candle lighting, donuts and a chance to learn about the holiday. Everyone welcome.

Kosher or dietary note

Our kitchen is kosher, so please don’t bring home-cooked dishes. Store-bought sealed desserts or drinks are perfect if you’d like to bring something.

Adults-only evening

Grown-up Hanukkah night: Saturday, December 5 at 8. Latke bar, wine and a dreidel tournament with real stakes (chocolate gelt).

How to Plan and Send Your Invitations, Step by Step

1. Pick the night using the 2026 calendar above and your guests’ Shabbat plans.
2. Decide the format: candle lighting only, dinner, party or open house.
3. Write the invitation with the night, time, place, food notes and RSVP date.
4. Send it two to three weeks ahead, so by mid-November for the first weekend.
5. Follow up with a reminder two days before, including the lighting time.

Follow-Up and Thank-You Messages

Thank you for lighting the candles with us last night. The house felt so bright with everyone in it. Chag sameach!

Still a few latkes left from Sunday. Come grab some, and thank you for the beautiful menorah gift.

Quick update: candle lighting moves to 5:30 because of traffic. Dinner right after.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Scheduling a party on Friday night when guests keep Shabbat.
• Not saying whether the meal is dairy or meat, or whether the home is kosher.
• Forgetting the candle lighting time, so guests arrive after the candles are lit.
• Assuming everyone knows the traditions; a friendly line helps new guests feel welcome.
• Sending invitations the same week, when December calendars are already full.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Hanukkah in 2026?

Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown on Friday, December 4, and ends at nightfall on Saturday, December 12. The first candle is lit on December 4.

What should a Hanukkah invitation say?

Say which night, the date and time, the address, what will happen (candles, dinner, games), any food notes and an RSVP date.

Which night of Hanukkah is best for a party?

Saturday, December 5 after Shabbat ends and Sunday, December 6 are popular in 2026. Weeknights work for smaller dinners and candle lightings.

Should guests bring a menorah?

It’s a nice touch for families who light together, but not required. Mention it in the invitation if you’d like guests to bring one.

What do you write on a Hanukkah invitation for non-Jewish guests?

Keep it warm and welcoming, and add a line that you will explain the traditions as you go, so nobody feels out of place.

How early should I send Hanukkah invitations?

Two to three weeks ahead is ideal. For 2026, that means mid-November for parties on the first weekend.

Make Your Hanukkah Invitation

TwistInvite has several Hanukkah video designs, including Hanukkah Festival of Lights. Download the TwistInvite app, add your night and time and share one link. Guests open it in their browser and reply Going, Can’t make it or Maybe, with no account needed and email optional.