Still ahead Festival
Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah 2026
שמיני עצרת ושמחת תורה
Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah 2026: from the evening of October 2, 2026 until October 4, 2026.
- Begins on the evening of
- Ends
- Length
- 2 days
- In the Hebrew calendar
- 22 Tishri
- 5787
About the holiday
An extra day tacked onto the end of Sukkot, and in the diaspora a second one behind it: Simchat Torah. The prayer for rain is said for the first time in the year, the last verses of Deuteronomy are read and the opening of Genesis follows immediately, so the cycle never has a gap. The scrolls are carried around the synagogue seven times, and the dancing lasts as long as there are people to dance.
Other holidays in 2026
- Tu BiShvat
- Purim
- Passover (Pesach)
- Yom HaShoah
- Lag BaOmer
- Shavuot
- Tisha B’Av
- Rosh Hashanah
- Yom Kippur
- Sukkot
- Hanukkah
The exact candle-lighting time depends on sunset where you are. Check with your local community.