The eve of the 25th of the Jewish calendar month Kislev, celebrates the coming of the new year and the celebration of lights. The celebration of lights is well known as Hanukkah and is meant to celebrate the reclamation of a temple in Jerusalem from Syrian Greeks according to chabad.org. The celebration that lasted eight days because the oil that had been in the temple was only meant to last one day but miraculously lasted eight.
Firstly, Hanukkah began with lighting one of eight candles on the menorah which was the mantelpiece that held the candles. This continues until the eighth night which would be the last day of Hanukkah.
Generally, the candles are placed right to left in accordance to how the language is written but are lit left to right to signify new opportunity and purity. Though the celebration calls for eight candles, there is a ninth candle called Shammus according to jewfaq.org. Although candle that was not part of the celebration, the Shammus had been easily identified because it was smaller or most of the time larger than the rest.
Furthermore, the customary foods are Latkes which are similar to pancakes but the batter is made from matzah meal with shredded potato and onion, and Sufganiyot which is similar to a powdered, jelly doughnut according to history.com. Aside from eating fried food, Jewish practitioners will play with a dreidel toy which is similar to a spin top. Another custom is giving small gifts of money to children in the family.
Overall, the celebration of Hanukkah is dedicated to regaining a temple, overcoming great odds, as well as a miracle of the oil that lasted eight days.