Best Hanukkah TV Episodes to Watch This Holiday: ‘Friends’ and More
Put on your Yakama, it’s time for Hanukkah! From Friends to The Goldbergs, there are plenty of Hanukkah-themed TV episodes to watch this season, whether you’re Jewish or not.
The Festival of Lights often gets overlooked in between viewings of Seinfeld’s “The Strike” episode, which celebrates the made-up holiday of Festivus (for the rest of us!) and Christmas movie classics, like Home Alone and Love Actually.
Us Weekly rounded up the eight best TV episodes that pay tribute to the holiday — that happen to coordinate with the eight nights of Hanukkah — including moments from The O.C. and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
If you want to see a more comical spin on Hanukkah, start by streaming Friends’ “The One With the Holiday Armadillo.” During the show, Ross (David Schwimmer) dresses up as an armadillo after his attempt to get a Santa suit does not work out. He dons the silly costume to try and teach his son Ben about his Jewish heritage.
“I’m the holiday armadillo. I’m a friend of Santa’s,” Ross tells Ben, before telling him the importance of the Jewish holiday. “He sent me here to wish you a merry Christmas.”
He adds: “I’m Santa’s representative for all the southern states and … Mexico!”
The O.C., on the other hand, combined both Christmas and Hanukkah to create Chrismukkah in all four seasons of the series. Seth Cohen (Adam Brody) looked forward to the joint holiday every year — as did many fans of the drama — but season 1’s “The Best Chrismukkah Ever” is the best episode of all.
Saturday Night Live recruited Adam Sandler to create the iconic “Hanukkah Song” in 1994, which can be used to set the scene for any Hanukkah celebration. Plus, Rugrats explained the traditional tale of the season through the eyes of the babies, showing a humorous side to the timeless traditions of the holiday.
Of course, no Hanukkah night is complete without lighting the menorah, which is front and center during Brothers & Sisters season 1 episode, “Light the Lights.”
Scroll down to for a list of Hanukkah-approved TV episodes that the whole family will enjoy.
The O.C. first combined Christmas and Hanukkah with ease in season 1’s “The Best Chrismukkah Ever.” The show proceeded to celebrate the joint holiday throughout its four seasons, and no character loved Chrismukkah more than Seth Cohen. In season three, his family, which also included adopted brother and friend Ryan Atwood, threw a Bar Mitz-vakkah for Ryan. On the eventful day, Seth toasted the season saying, “Chrismukkah is unruinable!”
J. Lubin/FOX
No Hanukkah season is complete without Friends’ “The One With the Holiday Armadillo” episode from season 7. In an attempt to teach his son Ben about Hanukkah, Ross plans to dress up as Santa, but has to settle with an armadillo costume to teach him about the holiday season. In the end, Santa-obsessed Ben learns about the Festival of Lights from his dad dressed as the “Holiday Armadillo” who is part Jewish. He is also greeted by Chandler dressed as Santa and Joey dressed as Superman.
HBO Max
In 1996, Rugrats gifted TV fans with season 4’s “Chanukah.” Throughout the episode, the babies learn about Hanukkah thanks to Grandma Minka reading the story of the holiday as they take on the historic roles and play out the tale on screen. Tommy as Judah is both memorable and adorable.
Hulu
The sketch comedy series has brought to life many Hanukkah-themed skits over the years. None, however, have become so beloved as Adam Sandler’s performance of the “Hanukkah Song” from season 20. The original tune was sung during a “Weekend Update” sketch in 1994 and lists Jewish celebrities and the fun traditions of the holiday. It has since been added to and is now four parts.
NBC
During the season 1 episode, the Walker family explores their Hebrew roots after Paige learns that both her mother, Sarah, and grandmother, Nora, are Jewish. When asked why they don’t celebrate Hanukkah, Nora says, “You can ethnically be Jewish, but at the same time, Santa is so much fun.” Later in the episode, Uncle Saul teaches Paige about Judaism and the family has a Hanukkah feast and candle lighting ceremony.
ABC
After Louis finds and opens all of his Hanukkah gifts, he goes on his own It’s a Wonderful Life-style journey in season 1 to find the true meaning of the holiday. With the help of Bubbe Rose, his own ghost of Hanukkah’s past, present and future, Louis is able to salvage the season and reconnect with his family.
YouTube
Beverly Goldberg goes all out on every occasion, and Hanukkah is no exception. The season 3 episode highlights the family’s Jewish roots, as Beverly tries to create a “Super Hanukkah” celebration to get her family into the spirit amid all the Santa hype. She buys Erica a guitar, cooks up a storm and caps it all off with the Jewish-American tradition of eating Chinese food on Christmas.
ABC/Eric McCandless
When Rebecca’s mom comes to town for Hanukkah, her stress levels hit an all-time high. Throughout the season 1 episode, she discovers that family is the real gift of the season … even if that means having to deal with an overbearing parent in your space for long periods of time.
Netflix
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