Nine in ten British Jews celebrated Chanukah in 2024, making it the most popular festival on the British Jewish calendar.
Dr David Graham
In this report:
This paper presents new data on the popularity of Chanukah among British Jews, based on responses from over 4,800 adult British Jews to the JPR 2025 Jews in Uncertain Times Survey. The report compares Chanukah observance with that of other Jewish holidays and festivals and explores which types of Jews are more likely to celebrate Chanukah.
Some of the key findings in this report:
- 89% of British Jews reported participating in at least one candle-lighting ceremony in 2024, either at home or elsewhere.
- By comparison, 84% of British Jews reported attending a seder (Passover meal) in 2025, and 74% reported observing Rosh Hashana rituals at home in 2022.
- The festival is more likely to be celebrated by younger Jews than older ones, and by those with larger household sizes.
- While only 31% of non-practising Jews said they participate in at least one candle-lighting ceremony during Chanukah every year, 68% reported doing so in 2024.
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Dr David Graham
Senior Research Fellow
Dr David Graham
Senior Research Fellow
David is a Senior Research Fellow at JPR, an Honorary Associate at the Department of Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies at the University of Sydney...
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