Candle Lighting Times
Your Copper Mirror Planner
Your Copper Mirror Weekly Planner provides a dedicated space in the weekly format to write in your candle lighting times for Shabbat, Havdalah (marking the end of Shabbat), and holidays. We suggest sitting with your planner at the beginning of each month and writing in your times in advance.
Find Your Candle Lighting Times
A family in Miami and a family in Chicago will light candles at different times, even on the same Shabbat. Always look up times for your city and write it in your planner!
Use our candle lighting lookup on the Copper Mirror Resources page. Enter your ZIP code (or tap “Use my location”) to see this week’s candle lighting time, the weekly parsha, and Havdalah for your city. While you’re there, you can also find the Hebrew date for any birthday, anniversary, or yahrzeit.
Look up your candle lighting times
Understanding Candle Lighting
In Jewish tradition, candle lighting marks one of the most meaningful moments of the week — the threshold between the ordinary and the holy. Shabbat begins at sundown on Friday evening, and the lighting of candles (traditionally 18 minutes before sunset) is the act that ushers it in. Candles are also lit to welcome each major holiday, at the same time before sunset on the first night, just as on Shabbat.
How Candle Lighting Times Are Calculated
Candle lighting times are not fixed — they shift every week based on your geographic location and the time of sunset, which changes throughout the year.
Jewish Holidays: Candle Lighting Notes
If you are new to practicing, don't let it overwhelm you. Start with one mitzvah and take on the others as you move forward. If you have questions or need guidance, find a local rabbi for support. Holiday candle lighting follows slightly different rules.
- Erev Yom Tov (Holiday Eve): On the first night of a holiday, candles are lit at the candle lighting time, 18 minutes before sunset, just as on Shabbat.
- Two-Day Holidays: On the second night, candles are lit after nightfall (once three stars appear) from a flame that is already burning, not a new match or lighter. If the second night falls on Saturday night, wait until Shabbat has ended.
- Yom Kippur: Candles are lit before the fast begins, typically 18–40 minutes before sunset depending on community custom.
