How to light holiday candles
Holiday candles are lit a lot like Shabbat candles, with a different blessing and usually Shehecheyanu. The main thing to know is timing: the first night is before sunset, but the second night is after dark, from a flame that's already burning.
Before the holiday: prepare a flame
On Yom Tov, unlike Shabbat, you're allowed to transfer an existing flame, but not to create a new one by striking a match. So before the holiday begins, light a long-burning candle (a 24-hour or 48-hour memorial-style candle works well) that will stay lit for the whole holiday. You'll use it to light the second night's candles, the stove, and so on. It's also not allowed to put out a flame on Yom Tov, so place candles where they can safely burn out.
First night
Light at the regular candle lighting time, 18 minutes before sunset. If you miss it, you may light later in the evening, before the meal, but only from an existing flame. The exception is a holiday that begins on Friday night: then, like every Shabbat, you must light before sunset.
Second night
Light after nightfall, once the first day is over, and only from an existing flame. Don't start preparing for the second night until then either. If the second night is a Friday night, light before sunset instead (from an existing flame), since Shabbat is coming.
When the second night is a Saturday night (a holiday right after Shabbat), first wait for Shabbat to end, then say "Baruch hamavdil bein kodesh l'kodesh" ("Blessed is He who separates between holy and holy") before lighting or doing any preparation.
The blessings
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל יוֹם טוֹב.
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Yom Tov.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has made us holy with His commandments and commanded us to light the candle of the festival.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל שַׁבָּת וְשֶׁל יוֹם טוֹב.
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Shabbat v'shel Yom Tov.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has made us holy with His commandments and commanded us to light the candle of Shabbat and the festival.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל יוֹם הַזִּכָּרוֹן.
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Yom Hazikaron.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has made us holy with His commandments and commanded us to light the candle of the Day of Remembrance.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים.
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Yom Hakippurim.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has made us holy with His commandments and commanded us to light the candle of the Day of Atonement.
Then add Shehecheyanu on every holiday candle lighting except the last days of Pesach:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה.
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, shehecheyanu v'kiy'manu v'higi'anu laz'man hazeh.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has given us life, sustained us, and brought us to this time.
Bless first or light first?
Customs differ. The Chabad custom, following the Alter Rebbe, is the same as Shabbat: light the candles, cover your eyes, then say the blessings. Many other communities say the blessings first on Yom Tov and then light. Follow your family's tradition.
Let the app do the math
Holiday timing gets complicated, especially when a holiday runs into Shabbat. The Shabbat Times home page shows each night's time, tells you when to light from an existing flame, and gives the right blessing for each night.
Common questions
When do you light candles on the second night of a holiday?
After nightfall, once the first day is over, and only from a flame that's already burning.
Can you strike a match on Yom Tov?
No. On Yom Tov you can transfer an existing flame, but not create a new one, so prepare a long-burning candle before the holiday.
Is Shehecheyanu said on holiday candles?
Yes, on every holiday candle lighting except the last days of Pesach.
What blessing is said when a holiday falls on Shabbat?
The blessing ends 'l'hadlik ner shel Shabbat v'shel Yom Tov,' and candles are lit before sunset as on every Friday.
Sources
- Procedure for Holiday Candle-Lighting (Chabad.org)
- Candle-Lighting Blessings for Shabbat and Holidays (Chabad.org)
- Saying Shehecheyanu on Yom Tov Candles (Chabad.org)
- Shabbat & Holiday Candle-Lighting Information (Chabad.org)