Hanukkah Party Invitation Wording: Examples for Every Style

Hanukkah 2026 runs from sundown on December 4 through nightfall on December 12 — eight nights to celebrate with the people you love. Whether you're planning a big latke dinner for the whole neighborhood or a quiet menorah-lighting for close friends, your invitation sets the tone before the first candle is lit.

Here's what to include, when to send it, and wording examples you can use or adapt.

What Every Hanukkah Invitation Needs

Every invitation — printed or digital — should answer five questions:

Who's hosting? Start with your name or family name.
What's the occasion? Name it: "a Hanukkah dinner," "a Festival of Lights celebration," or simply "Hanukkah."
Which night, and what time? Because Hanukkah spans eight nights, tell guests both the calendar date and the night number. "Saturday, December 5 (the second night of Hanukkah)" removes any confusion. Mention when the evening starts and whether there's a set end time.
Where? Full address, including unit number if relevant. Add a short parking note for guests who haven't been before.
What do you need them to do? A clear RSVP request with a deadline — "Please reply by November 28" — dramatically improves response rates compared to a vague "hope to see you there."

Beyond the basics, add one or two lines about what the evening involves: a sit-down latke dinner, a dessert-and-dreidels get-together, or an open house where guests come and go. Guests plan their evenings based on what you write. If some of your guests keep kosher, a simple line asking about dietary needs at RSVP time — "Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions" — goes a long way.

When to Send Hanukkah Invitations

Send 4–6 weeks before the party. For Hanukkah 2026, that means invitations go out in late October or early November. December is one of the busiest months on any social calendar — earlier is always better. See our complete guide to invitation timing for general rules by event type.

If guests are traveling or need to arrange childcare, six weeks is the safer number. For close friends and family who live nearby, three to four weeks is usually fine.

Casual Wording

Perfect for neighborhood gatherings, friend groups, or any party where the vibe is relaxed.

Let there be latkes!

Join the [Family Name] family for our annual Hanukkah celebration.
Saturday, December 5 — the second night of Hanukkah
6:00 PM at [Address]

Dinner, dreidels, and way too many latkes.
Please RSVP by December 1 so we have enough sour cream.

Happy Hanukkah from our home to yours.

You're invited to celebrate with us.
[Host Names] | Friday, December 4 | 7:00 PM
[Address]

We'll be lighting the first candle, sharing a meal, and staying up too late.
Please let us know if you can make it — RSVP by November 28.

Warm Family-Style Wording

Good for multigenerational gatherings where the tone should feel welcoming and cozy.

The [Family Name] family invites you to celebrate Hanukkah.

Please join us for the Festival of Lights.
Sunday, December 6 — the third night of Hanukkah
4:00 PM | [Address]

We'll be lighting the menorah, sharing a meal, and playing dreidel.
Please RSVP by December 1 and let us know if you have any dietary needs.

Join us as we celebrate the Festival of Lights.

Hosted by [Names]
Saturday, December 5, 2026 | 5:30 PM
[Address]

Dinner will be served. Gifts are welcome but never expected.
Kindly RSVP by November 29.

Elegant Wording

For a polished dinner party where presentation and tone matter.

[Host Names] request the pleasure of your company at a Hanukkah dinner.

Saturday, the fifth of December, two thousand twenty-six
at half past seven in the evening
[Address]

Black-tie optional. Kindly respond by December 1.
Please note any dietary restrictions.

Please join us for a Hanukkah dinner in celebration of the Festival of Lights.

Hosted by [Names]
Saturday, December 5, 2026 | 7:30 PM
[Full Address]

Dinner will be served. Smart casual attire.
RSVP by December 1 — please include any dietary requirements.

Kids' Party Wording

For a Hanukkah party centered on children — think crafts, games, gelt, and sufganiyot.

Dreidels, donuts, and lots of gelt!

[Child's Name] is turning [age] and celebrating Hanukkah —
come help us spin, eat, and celebrate!

Sunday, December 6 | 2:00–5:00 PM
[Address]

Crafts and games for all ages.
Please RSVP by December 1 and let us know about any allergies.

Spin the dreidel with us!

You're invited to [Child's Name]'s Hanukkah party.
Saturday, December 5 | 3:00–6:00 PM | [Address]

Latkes, sufganiyot (jelly donuts), and prizes.
Please reply by December 1.

Potluck Wording

If you're hosting a shared-meal gathering, say so up front and ask guests to claim a dish when they RSVP — it keeps the menu balanced and prevents four people from bringing the same thing.

Celebrating Hanukkah — and we need your best dish!

Join us for a Hanukkah potluck.
Saturday, December 5 | 6:00 PM | [Address]

We'll provide the main latke spread and drinks.
Please RSVP by December 1 and let us know what you'll be bringing.

[Names] invite you to a Hanukkah potluck dinner.

Second night — Saturday, December 5, 2026 | 6:30 PM
[Address]

Please bring a dish to share and let us know what it is when you RSVP.
Dietary note: some of us keep kosher. Vegetarian and pareve dishes are especially welcome.

Open House Wording

Open houses work well for larger guest lists or when you want guests to stop by at their convenience across the evening.

You're invited to a Hanukkah open house.

Hosted by [Names]
Saturday, December 5, 2026 | 4:00–9:00 PM
[Address]

Stop by anytime — we'll have food, drinks, and the menorah lit all evening.
Please let us know if you plan to come so we have enough for everyone.

Useful Phrases to Add Anywhere

"We'll be lighting the menorah at [time] — don't miss it."
"Gifts are not expected but always appreciated."
"Please let us know if you keep kosher or have any dietary restrictions."
"Gelt and dreidels provided — just bring yourself."
"Parking is available on [street]."
"This is a nut-free home."

The RSVP Line

The RSVP line matters more than people realize. Vague language — "hope to see you!" — produces vague results. A specific deadline and a clear action — "Please reply by December 1" — will get you far more responses. If you're still getting radio silence after the deadline, a short follow-up is completely acceptable. See our RSVP reminder wording guide for polite ways to follow up without nagging.

Digital invitations make this easy. When you create a free RSVP page, every response lands in one dashboard and you can send automatic reminders to guests who haven't replied yet. It's far easier than chasing down responses by text. You can see how a Hanukkah invite looks in practice on the bar mitzvah sample page — the same clean format works perfectly for any Jewish celebration.

For a full breakdown of what to plan once the invitations are out, see our guide to hosting a Hanukkah party — it covers food, timing, activities, and what guests typically expect.