How to celebrate Hanukkah abroad

• Published: January 1, 2026 •

Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, centers on lighting the **menorah** (or *hanukiah*) and celebrating the miracle of the oil and the victory of light over darkness. While traveling during the holiday can present logistical challenges particularly around carrying candles and finding community it also offers unique opportunities to engage with global Jewish communities and share traditions with locals.

Essential Packing and Safety 🕯️

Your packing list needs careful consideration to safely bring the light of Hanukkah with you.

1. The Travel Menorah Solution

A full-sized candelabrum and standard candles are impractical for luggage. Instead, opt for a safe, portable solution:

**Compact Metal Menorah:** Choose a lightweight, foldable metal menorah specifically designed for travel.
**Candles and Matches:** Purchase small, thin Hanukkah candles that fit your travel menorah. Always pack these in your **checked luggage** due to TSA restrictions on matches and lighters in carry-ons. *Alternative:* Purchase candles upon arrival at a local supermarket or Jewish shop.
**Safety First:** If staying in a hotel, notify the front desk that you will be lighting candles in your room. **Crucially, many travelers now opt for electric or battery-powered LED travel menorahs** to comply with hotel fire codes, especially in smaller rooms or highly regulated areas.

2. Dreidels and Gelt

These lightweight items are easy to pack and essential for maintaining the joyful, playful atmosphere of the holiday.

**Gelt:** A few bags of chocolate coins can serve as gifts and currency for the dreidel game.
**Dreidels:** Pack a few small plastic or wooden dreidels for easy transport and sharing.

Experienced Traveler Advice: The Electric Alternative

“After an incident where a hotel manager almost had a panic attack seeing real candles, I switched to an **LED travel menorah**. It’s fire-safe, convenient for airport security, and allows me to light the correct number of lights on time, even if I’m in a small Airbnb without fire-safe surfaces. The essence of the blessing remains, even if the flame isn’t real.” (Source: Jewish Travel Magazine Forum)

Finding Community and Food Abroad 🍜

Hanukkah is a time for communal celebration, which can be found even in unfamiliar places.

1. Locate the Local Chabad House

The **Chabad-Lubavitch** movement has centers in thousands of cities globally, from Bangkok to Berlin. Chabad Houses are the easiest and most welcoming resource for travelers.

**The Resource:** Search the Chabad directory online using your destination city. They often host **public menorah lightings**, communal holiday meals (often free or low-cost), and offer guidance on local Jewish life.
**Review:** “When I was traveling solo in Japan, the local Chabad House welcomed me to their Hanukkah party. It felt instantly like family. They had enough latkes and doughnuts for everyone! It was the warmest part of my trip.” (Source: Social Media Travel Review)

2. Hunting for Traditional Foods (Latkes and Sufganiyot)

The traditional oil-fried foods of Hanukkah can often be found by searching local Jewish bakeries or specialty supermarkets.

**Sufganiyot (Doughnuts):** In Israel and major Jewish centers (like New York or Paris), bakeries sell these jelly-filled doughnuts throughout the holiday. In other places, a local bakery may offer a plain doughnut or churro as a festive substitute.
**Latkes (Potato Pancakes):** Potato pancakes are common in many European cuisines. Look for a Polish or German restaurant offering potato fritters (**Reibekuchen** or **Draniki**) if a dedicated Jewish deli is not available.

Adapting Rituals and Timing 🧭

Remember that the date and time of lighting the menorah are based on the local time zone.

**Timing the Lighting:** The lights are traditionally lit shortly after sunset. This time changes significantly depending on latitude (especially north of the equator in December). Check the **local sunset time** and plan to be in your accommodation accordingly.
**Minimalist Gifts:** Traveling with eight full days of gifts for children is impractical. Many traveling families switch to **small, token gifts** or prioritize experiences, such as a special family dinner out, over physical presents.
**The Blessings:** Ensure you have the Hebrew blessings handy, either printed out or saved digitally, so you can perform the ritual correctly each night.

Frequently Asked Questions About Celebrating Hanukkah Abroad

Can I light a menorah in a hotel room in the United States or Europe?

You can, but **always ask the hotel management first**. Many large chains have policies permitting it if you use a metal menorah on a non-flammable surface (like a porcelain plate) and light it away from drapes. To avoid conflict, the safest option is often a **battery-operated LED menorah**.

Where is the best place to light the menorah when traveling?

The tradition requires the menorah to be lit where it can be seen, often near a window or doorway, to publicize the miracle. If you cannot light it safely near a window, lighting it prominently within your temporary dwelling (e.g., on a kitchen counter, away from curtains) fulfills the obligation.

Are Hanukkah candles difficult to find outside of major cities?

Yes. Outside of North America, Western Europe, and Israel, finding traditional Hanukkah candles can be challenging. It is strongly recommended to **pack enough candles for all eight nights** (44 total) if traveling to remote locations or countries with small Jewish populations.

If I’m flying on a night of Hanukkah, how should I handle the lighting?

If you are in transit during the lighting time, you should light the menorah as soon as possible upon arriving at your destination (airport, hotel, etc.) that evening. If you are on an overnight flight, you can delegate the lighting to someone else at home, or light it privately upon landing, reciting the appropriate blessings.

What is a good way to share the tradition with non-Jewish locals?

Offer to teach the dreidel game, explain the meaning behind the blessings and the candles, or, if permitted by your lodging, invite local acquaintances to observe the lighting. Sharing a simple, purchased jelly doughnut is also a universally appreciated gesture of cultural exchange.

Conclusion: Carrying the Light with You 🌟

Celebrating Hanukkah abroad is a powerful statement of faith and tradition. By prioritizing safety through travel-appropriate gear, actively seeking out local Jewish community resources like Chabad Houses, and adapting your routines to local time zones, you ensure that the message of perseverance and light shines brightly, regardless of your geographic location.