Tips to celebrate the festival of lights while settling into your new home
Moving house is a significant life event, and moving during Hanukkah means balancing the practical side of your move with a meaningful celebration. With some preparation, you can make your new house feel warm and festive from the first night.
When is Hanukkah 2026?
Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown on Friday 4 December and ends at nightfall on Saturday 12 December. The first candle is lit on the evening of Friday 4 December, and as this falls on a Friday, many families light the menorah before the Shabbat candles that evening.
As Hanukkah falls in early December this year, it sits ahead of the Christmas rush. If you are moving house in December, this gives you time to settle in and celebrate before the bank holidays.
1. Pack a Hanukkah essentials box
Before you move, pack one box with everything you need to celebrate. Include your menorah, Hanukkah candles, dreidels, chocolate gelt, decorations and any special tableware. Label it clearly and keep it with you, or ask your removal team to load it last, so it is the first box you open.
2. Set up your menorah first
The menorah is the heart of Hanukkah. Choose a visible spot such as a front window, as is the tradition, or a mantelpiece. Lighting the candles each evening brings continuity and comfort while you settle into new surroundings.
Always place candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface away from curtains and blinds, and never leave lit candles unattended. Test your smoke alarms on the day you move in.
3. Unpack key areas first
Start with the kitchen and living room, where most of the celebrations take place. With the kitchen ready, you can prepare traditional Hanukkah food such as latkes and doughnuts, and gather family and friends in a comfortable space.
4. Add festive Hanukkah decorations
Hang string lights, garlands and banners in blue, silver and white, or display children's crafts and Hanukkah ornaments. Small touches can make a new space feel warm and welcoming.
5. Keep Hanukkah food simple
Fried foods are traditional during Hanukkah to mark the miracle of the oil. If your kitchen is not fully unpacked, keep the menu simple:
- Latkes: Prepare the batter ahead and fry in small batches.
- Doughnuts: Kosher bakeries in north London, Manchester and Gateshead sell sufganiyot during Hanukkah. Order early for the first weekend.
- Shared meals: Invite family to bring a dish each, so you can focus on settling in.
6. Share Hanukkah with your new neighbours
Moving is a good opportunity to introduce yourself to your neighbours. A bag of chocolate gelt or homemade treats is a friendly way to connect with your new community. Public menorah lightings also take place across the UK, including in Trafalgar Square, and are a good way to meet people locally.
7. Start a new Hanukkah tradition
A move marks a new chapter. You could fix a mezuzah to your new doorpost, say a blessing for your new home, or choose Hanukkah gifts that suit the new house, such as a plant or a framed family photo.
8. Keep celebrations simple
Hanukkah is about light, togetherness and reflection. Focus on lighting the menorah, sharing traditional food and spending time with loved ones. Everything else can wait until after the move.
9. Use a professional removal company
A professional removal company can manage the packing, lifting and transport, leaving you free to prepare for Hanukkah. At Pickfords, our team supports you with packing services, removals and self storage tailored to your needs, so you can focus on settling in and celebrating.
Frequently asked questions
- Which day is Hanukkah in 2026?
Hanukkah 2026 starts on Friday 4 December at sundown. The first full day of Hanukkah is Saturday 5 December.
- When does Hanukkah start and end in 2026?
Hanukkah begins at sundown on Friday 4 December 2026 and ends at nightfall on Saturday 12 December 2026.
Hanukkah lasts eight nights and eight days. One more candle is lit on the menorah each night until all eight are lit.
Hanukkah, also spelt Chanukah, is the Jewish festival of lights. It begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, which is why its dates change each year.
- Why is Hanukkah celebrated?
Hanukkah marks the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the story of a small amount of oil that kept the temple lamp burning for eight days.
- How do you wish someone a happy Hanukkah?
You can say "Happy Hanukkah" or "Chag Sameach", which means "happy holiday" in Hebrew.
Hanukkah 2027 begins at sundown on Friday 24 December 2027 and ends at nightfall on Saturday 1 January 2028.
Celebrate Hanukkah in your new home with Pickfords
Hanukkah celebrates light and renewal, values that sit naturally alongside moving into a new home. Request a free quote for your upcoming move and let our expert team take care of the details.
From everyone at Pickfords, we wish you a happy Hanukkah and every happiness in your new home.