Have you ever heard of “Chrismukkah”? It’s a special holiday that mixes two celebrations: Hanukkah (a Jewish holiday also called the Festival of Lights) and Christmas (a Christian holiday). This year, Hanukkah starts at sundown on December 25th, which is Christmas Day. That doesn’t happen very often! In fact, it hasn’t happened since 2005. Many people see this as the perfect time to celebrate both holidays together. So, let’s call it Chrismukkah!
Why Chrismukkah?
Chrismukkah became super famous because of a TV show called The O.C. In this show, a character named Seth Cohen (played by actor Adam Brody) celebrates both Christmas and Hanukkah. His dad is Jewish and his mom is Protestant (a form of Christianity). Seth decided to blend the two holidays into something fun and new: Chrismukkah. He wanted to make the most of both celebrations. After this episode aired in 2003, many people started talking about celebrating both holidays at the same time.
What Is Chrismukkah?
Chrismukkah is when the first night of Hanukkah happens on Christmas Day. Hanukkah lasts for eight days and follows a lunar (moon-based) calendar, so its dates change every year. Christmas, on the other hand, is always on December 25. When both holidays line up, that’s Chrismukkah!
Even though Seth Cohen from The O.C. helped make Chrismukkah more popular, people have been blending the two holidays for a long time—since the 19th century! However, the fun term “Chrismukkah” got really famous because of the TV show.
When Is Chrismukkah?
- Christmas Eve: December 24
- Christmas Day: December 25
- Hanukkah: Changes every year, based on the lunar calendar
This year, Hanukkah’s first night is on December 25, which is Christmas Day. That’s a rare overlap—perfect for Chrismukkah!
Did The O.C. Invent Chrismukkah?
Technically, no. People have celebrated both holidays at the same time for more than 100 years, but The O.C. made the name “Chrismukkah” a fun pop-culture hit. After the show’s “Chrismukkah” episodes, many viewers got excited about the idea and started using it themselves.
Where To Watch The O.C.’s Chrismukkah Episodes
If you want to see how Seth Cohen brings Chrismukkah to life, you can watch four special Chrismukkah episodes from The O.C.:
- “The Best Chrismukkah Ever”
- Season 1, Episode 13
- This is the very first Chrismukkah episode where Seth combines Christmas and Hanukkah into one big celebration.
- “The Chrismukkah That Almost Wasn’t”
- Season 2, Episode 6
- Watch as the characters try to keep the holiday spirit alive, even when things start to go wrong.
- “The Chrismukkah Bar Mitz-vahkkah”
- Season 3, Episode 10
- A twist on the Bar Mitzvah tradition (a Jewish coming-of-age ceremony) mixed with the joys of Christmas.
- “The Chrismukk-huh?”
- Season 4, Episode 7
- A special holiday episode that puts the characters into a strange new situation during the holiday season.
Check your favorite streaming service or online platform to see if The O.C. is available. Then gather your family and friends, watch these episodes, and enjoy the unique holiday spirit of Chrismukkah!
Final Thoughts
Chrismukkah is a rare chance to celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah at the same time. Whether you’re lighting the menorah, decorating a Christmas tree, or doing both, it’s all about spending time with the people you care about. So, this holiday season, think about watching The O.C.’s fun holiday episodes and maybe start your own Chrismukkah traditions!
Happy Chrismukkah!