Menorah lighting underway in Downtown Wilmington

Usually, Wilmington's public lighting happens on the first night of Hanukkah, but this year, the lighting was postponed because Hanukkah began on Christmas this year.

NEW HANOVER COUNTY(WWAY)–It’s also the second night of Hanukkah, and on Thursday night– dozens of people gathered in Downtown Wilmington for a public menorah lighting.
Usually, Wilmington’s public lighting happens on the first night of Hanukkah, but this year, the lighting was postponed because Hanukkah began on Christmas this year. It’s just the fifth time in the last 114 years this has happened.
In the Hebrew calendar, months are based on the moon’s cycles, while Christianity works off the Gregorian calendar — which follows the sun.
This is the first time we’re in America since we moved to Israel. Hanukkah means, to me, people coming together and celebrating. I wish everyone a happy holiday,” says one resident.

The next time there will be a shared “Chrismukkah” will be in 2035.