From the classic Hanukkah songs you grew up with to contemporary tunes from some of today’s most popular singers (and rappers!), here are 25 dreidel-stopping Hanukkah songs to play this holiday.
1. “The Chanukah Song” by Adam Sandler
Perhaps one of the most well-known Hanukkah songs—even amongst those who don’t celebrate the eight-day holiday—is “The Chanukah Song” by the one and only Adam Sandler. Nowadays, it’s a staple on the radio come December but millennials and Gen Z may not know the origin of this song (and its many sequels). Sandler originally performed a version of the song during a Weekend Update segment of Saturday Night Live in 1994. It only took Sandler, an acoustic guitar and a whole lot of feedback in the form of laughter from the live audience for this diddy to become an instant classic!
2. “Judah Maccabee, The Hammer” by Peter and Ellen Allard
A classic for any child growing up in a Jewish household, “Judah Maccabee, The Hammer” is a longstanding, fan-favorite Hanukkah tune that is as delightful to listen to as it is educational. From the album “Sing Shalom, Songs of the Jewish Holiday” for children, this musical epic describes Judah Maccabee’s journey to hero and liberator of the Jewish people.
3. “8 Days (Of Hanukkah)” by Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
If “8 Days (Of Hanukkah)” by Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings isn’t enough of a Hanukkah miracle, there’s also the kid-friendly music video that feels exceptionally Schoolhouse Rock-esque. After all, every one of the eight days of Hannukah glows with love, as the lyrics say.
4. “Hanukkah Blessing” by Barenaked Ladies
Most of us know the Barenaked Ladies for their brash humor and silent-auction-esque ability to recite lyrics at an unbelievably rapid pace, but did you know that BL also penned “Hanukkah Blessing” for their album Barenaked for the Holidays? The band’s singer, Steven Page, got emotional and genuine when reflecting on the Festival of Lights and was reportedly inspired by children to write this Hebrew holiday hit.
5. “Oy Chanukah, Oy Chanukah!” by Klezmer Conservatory Band
Recorded in separate Yiddish and English versions, “Oy Chanukah, Oy Chanukah!” is a classic Hanukkah jingle that details all the things we do to celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah: Dance the hora, spin the dreidel, light the menorah. Not to mention, it’s one of the catchiest Hanukkah tunes there is, regardless of the informative and spirited lyrics.
6. “The Latke Song” by Debbie Friedman
What better way to get children involved in educational Hanukkah music than pretending to be a latke?
7. “Goyim Friends” by The LeeVees
From their album Hanukkah Rocks, The LeeVees sound a bit jealous as they detail in “Goyim Friends” all the cool gifts their Jewish friends get for Hanukkah. After all, you get eight nights of gifts if you celebrate Hanukkah. Christmas is only one day!
8. “Miracle” by Matisyahu
In one of Matisyahu’s Hanukkah songs “Miracle,” the Jewish rapper pits him against the Maccabees and celebrates the miracle that is the Jews defeating their enemies. His other Hanukkah hit, “Happy Hanukkah,” is also worth a listen.
9. “The Chanukah Song” by Neil Diamond
In a decidedly less corny and altogether more folky approach to Sandler’s “The Chanukah Song,” Neil Diamond—known to his fans as the Jewish Elvis, as he’s the son of Jewish immigrants—lends his Brooklyn-born attitude, charm and a notable ad-lib to the track.
10. “Chanukah (Shake It Off)” by Six13
Taylor Swift’s hit song, “Shake It Off” gets a hilarious, informative and equally as catchy Jewish makeover as “Chanukah” performed by the a capella group Six13. With the same infectious pop melody, “Chanukah” takes all the best parts of T.Swift’s 2014 banger and reimagines the lyrics as an ode to Hanukkah.
11. “Dreidel Trap” by Meir Kay & Kosha Dillz
Only made better by the menorah-clad feetie pajamas YouTube personality Meir Kay wears in the music video, “Dreidel Trap” is a part-rap, part-trap music adventure that could possibly only exist in the time of the internet.
12. “Light One Candle” by Peter, Paul & Mary
Pivoting away for a second from the comedic, parody-esque songs that, in this day and age, dominate the internet, “Light One Candle” by Peter, Paul & Mary is by contrast, a traditional Hanukkah song that will never go out of style.
13. “Pass the Candle (From Left to Right)” by Michelle Citrin
Tonight we light the Hanukkah candles from left to right! Those are the opening lines of Michelle Citrin’s “Pass the Candle (From Left to Right),” an impossibly catchy track that deserves infinitely more radio play this time of year.
14. “Sevivon Sov Sov Sov” by PS22 Chorus
Often known as the alternative dreidel song—as in, the alternative to “dreidel, dreidel, dreidel/I made it out of clay”—“Sevivon Sov Sov Sov” as performed by the children’s chorus of PS22 is one of YouTube’s most-watched Hanukkah videos. This is, of course, the same public school choir that went viral for their rendition of Sia and David Guetta’s song “Titanium” in 2012.
15. “Hasmonean” by The Maccabeats
This time with another addictive cover that borrows the iconic melody and vibes of the hit Broadway musical Hamilton, The Maccabeats take on “Hasmonean.” This one needs no introduction, nor a description. It’s simply pure Hanukkah genius.
16. “Dreidel” by Don McLean
Not entirely a Hanukkah song, but definitely worth noting for its standout lyrics that reference one of the holiday’s most famous symbols (the dreidel), “American Pie” singer Don McLean debuted this hit in the early 1970s and it quickly rose on the pop charts. McLean sings, “I feel like a spinning top or a dreidel/The spinning don’t stop when you leave the cradle,” and some actually believe that this hit was inspired by his time spent living in a kibbutz in Israel.
17. “If It Be Your Will” by Haim
In the laidback and angelic way that is synonymous with this Jewish girl band from the San Fernando Valley, “If It Be Your Will,” is as ethereal as it is celebratory. Re-recorded by Haim for Randall Poster’s 2019 compilation album Hanukkah+, the track was originally sung and released by Leonard Cohen in 1984.
18. “Chanukah Bamba” by Shira Kline
All right, it’s time for Hanukkah! Everybody up on your feet! After all, there is no other way to boogie to this absolute jam, sung by Shira Kline, than up on your feet and dancing!
19. “Candlelight” by The Maccabeats
The Maccabeats strike again! In a music video that feels very Brady Bunch-esque, The Maccabeats remix Taio Cruz’s 2009 pop anthem “Dynamite” with a Hanukkah twist.
20. “Feast of Lights” by They Might Be Giants
Brooklyn-based alternative rock band They Might Be Giants released a five-song EP called Holidayland in 2001, on which “Feast of Lights” seems to be a stand-out track. After all, the guitar- and accordion-led diddy is all about children (and siblings!) being nice to each other during the Festival—or in this case, Feast—of Lights.
21. “How Do You Spell Channukkahh” by The LeeVees
Another great (and super relatable!) Hanukkah song by The LeeVees! The song’s title “How Do You Spell Channukkahh” is a question many Jewish kids had to reckon with at an early age, and non-Jewish people still, to this day, can’t figure out the answer. This tune is a bit more parody-esque and comical, but consider it the “Albuquerque Turkey” song of Hanukkah.
22. “8 Nights of Hanukkah” by Pella
23. “I Want a Hippopotamus for Hanukkah” by The Jimmies
This track sounds like The Jimmie’s took the strange-but-bizarrely popular Christmas song “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” and said, “We can do that, but like, for Hanukkah.” And so it was!
24. “(I’m Spending) Hanukkah in Santa Monica” by Tom Lehrer
As is the deal with most popular Hanukkah songs, “(I’m Spending) Hanukkah in Santa Monica” by Tom Lehrer feels mostly satirical, but even still, it’s a fine song for the backdrop of The Festival of Lights. We get it—Hanukkah and Santa Monica rhyme, but nowadays, we expect something a little more clever. Still, it’s cute, catchy and kitschy.
25. “Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah” by Glee Cast
For a TV show with several Jewish characters (and actors)—Rachel Berry and Puck—the soundtrack to Ryan Murphy’s beloved musical comedy is rather lacking in Hanukkah songs (IMHO). Thankfully, there’s a great moment during which Puck takes the singing reigns and leads the glee club in a rousing rendition of “Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah.” Want more? Cue up these amazing Hanukkah TV episodes!
