Shabbat & Jewish Holiday Candle Lighting Times

Shabbat & Holidays: 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. For Jewish holidays, candles are lit at nightfall on the eve of the holiday.

This isn't just a ritual — it's a weekly invitation to stop, breathe, and step into sacred time.

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.

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. 

Sunset Varies by Location

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!

Reliable Resources for Your Local Times

• Chabad.org Candle Lighting Times — enter your city for weekly times
• Hebcal.com — Jewish calendar with candle lighting times and holiday dates

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): Candles are lit at nightfall (after three stars appear), not 18 minutes before sunset — unless the holiday falls on Friday, in which case candles must be lit before Shabbat begins.
• Two-Day Holidays: On the second night, candles are lit from a pre-existing flame (not a match or lighter) after nightfall.
• Yom Kippur: Candles are lit before the fast begins, typically 18–40 minutes before sunset depending on community custom.

Shabbat Shalom. Chag Sameach.