The reason why Hanukkah is so late in 2024: When was the last time it coincided with Christmas?

Hanukkah in 2024 will begin on the evening of Wednesday, December 25, and end on the evening of Thursday, January 2, 2025. This late occurrence of Hanukkah, coinciding with Christmas Day, is a rare event that hasn’t happened since 2005.

The primary reason for Hanukkah’s late arrival in 2024 is the Jewish calendar’s leap year. While the Christian Gregorian calendar adds an extra day to February every four years, the Jewish calendar operates on a 19-year cycle with seven leap years. During these leap years, an entire month (a second Adar) is added to align the lunar-based Jewish calendar with the solar year.

Hanukkah always begins on the 25th day of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar. However, this date shifts on the Gregorian calendar due to the differences between lunar and solar calendars.

The Hebrew calendar makes adjustments to ensure that Passover always falls in spring, which can cause other holidays like Hanukkah to move around on the Gregorian calendar.

The coincidence of Hanukkah and Christmas is relatively uncommon. The last time the first night of Hanukkah fell on Christmas Day was in 2005. This overlap creates a unique atmosphere, with menorahs being lit as Christmas dinners are served, bringing together two major winter holidays of Judeo-Christian tradition.

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