When they celebrate Hannukah, Jewish families have a hanukiah in their homes. A hanukiah is a candlestick with nine branches. One candle is lit on the first night of the festival, two on the second and so on. Each one is lit using the special 'servant candle' called a shamash. By the end of the festival all nine candles are lit. Before each candle is lit, special prayers are said.

Children, especially, enjoy Hannukah because it is so happy. It is a time for lighting candles, playing games, singing songs, eating special food, giving and receiving presents.

At Hannukah, Jewish families play a game with a spinning top called a dreidel. On each side of the dreidel there is a Hebrew letter. The letters are the first letters of the Hebrew words which say, 'A great miracle happened there.'

Special foods eaten at Hannukah are doughnuts and potato pancakes called latkes. Latkes and doughnuts are eaten because oil is used when making them. This reminds Jews of the miracle of the oil.

In different cities throughout the world, giant candle sticks are placed and lit on buildings and in public places.