The Meaning & Traditions of Sukkot & How It’s Celebrated

Sukkot, one of the most joyous and significant holidays in the Jewish calendar, is a week-long celebration that combines gratitude for the harvest with a remembrance of divine protection. Known as the "Festival of Booths" or "Feast of Tabernacles," Sukkot is observed by Jewish communities worldwide with unique traditions that emphasize faith, community, and celebration. 

What’s the Story Behind Sukkot?

Sukkot follows right after Yom Kippur and lasts for seven days in the diaspora (with slight variations in Israel). It all started as a celebration of the harvest and a remembrance of the divine protection that kept the Israelites safe during their long trek in the wilderness. In fact, this festival commemorates not only the bounty of the land but also the reliance on God for shelter and sustenance during those harsh desert years.

The name “Sukkot” literally means “booths” or “huts.” Back in the day, after the dramatic escape from Egypt, the Israelites spent 40 years roaming the desert, living in makeshift shelters. Today, that memory lives on through the construction of a sukkah—a temporary hut with a roof made of natural, unprocessed materials like branches or leaves. It’s a reminder of life’s impermanence and of our absolute dependence on a higher power for protection.

The name "Sukkot" derives from the Hebrew word "sukkah," meaning "booth" or "tabernacle." These temporary structures, built and dwelt in during the holiday, symbolize the fragile shelters used by the Israelites and serve as a reminder of human dependence on divine care. Sukkot is also called Z’man Simchateinu (The Season of Our Rejoicing) and Chag HaAsif (The Festival of Ingathering), reflecting its dual focus on joy and gratitude for the earth’s bounty.

Many refer to Sukkot as the “Feast of Booths” or “Festival of Tabernacles.” It appears in the Hebrew Bible with instructions to celebrate the harvest season and remember how the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness for 40 years after leaving Egypt. The word “sukkot” is the plural form of “sukkah,” pointing to the little huts people built during this time in the desert.

When is Sukkot Celebrated in 2025?

Sukkot, a joyous week-long Jewish festival, is celebrated according to the Hebrew lunar calendar, beginning on the 15th of Tishrei, five days after Yom Kippur. 

In 2025, Sukkot will commence at sundown on September 22 and conclude at nightfall on September 29, with the additional holidays of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah following immediately after, extending through October 1 (or September 30 in Israel). 

Sukkot is divided into three distinct phases:

1. Yom Tov (The First Two Days)

The first two days of Sukkot (September 22-24, 2025, at sundown) are considered full holidays, known as Yom Tov. Work is prohibited, candles are lit in the evening, and festive meals are preceded by the Kiddush prayer, sanctifying the day. A traditional practice involves dipping challah bread in honey, symbolizing sweetness and abundance.

2. Chol Hamoed (Intermediate Days)

The following days (September 24-29, 2025) are called Chol Hamoed, semi-festive days where regular activities are permitted, but the focus remains on the holiday. Jews continue to dwell in the sukkah and perform rituals involving the "Four Species" (Arba Minim), which we’ll explore later.

3. Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah (The Final Days)

The last two days (September 29-October 1, 2025, or September 30 in Israel) mark a separate holiday: Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. These days celebrate the Torah, with joyous dancing and the completion of the annual Torah reading cycle.

The festival’s timing shifts annually in relation to the Gregorian calendar, but it consistently falls in the autumn season, aligning with its themes of harvest and gratitude. 

Traditional Activities of Sukkot 

Sukkot carries layers of meaning for Jewish communities worldwide. It brings together gratitude for the autumn harvest, remembrance of ancient desert wanderings, and an open invitation to celebrate life’s blessings in a temporary hut under the stars.

The traditions of Sukkot therefore reflect these values:

Living in the Sukkah: A Core Tradition

The most iconic custom of Sukkot is dwelling in a sukkah, a temporary structure with a roof made of organic materials like branches, reeds, or bamboo. This practice recalls the Israelites’ 40-year journey through the desert (1313-1273 BCE), when they lived in makeshift shelters under God’s protection. According to Jewish law (Orach Chaim 639:1), one should eat, drink, and live in the sukkah day and night during the seven days of Sukkot, treating it as a permanent home while regarding one’s house as temporary.

On the first night, a minimum of one k’zayit (about 1 ounce) of bread must be eaten in the sukkah between dusk and midnight, accompanied by the blessing Leishiv BaSukkah ("to dwell in the sukkah"). Throughout the festival, all meals are ideally eaten in the sukkah, and many Jews avoid eating or drinking anything outside it, even water, to fully honor the tradition.

Building a sukkah follows specific guidelines:

• It must have at least two and a half walls, with only one potentially being an existing structure (e.g., a house wall).

• The roof, called s’chach, must be made of natural, unprocessed materials that provide shade but allow stars to be visible at night.

• Modern sukkot can be purchased as pre-assembled kits or built with materials like wood, canvas, or metal for the walls.

Once constructed, sukkot are often decorated with fruits, posters, and carpets, creating a festive and welcoming atmosphere.

The Four Species: A Symbol of Unity and Harvest

Another central ritual of Sukkot involves the Arba Minim, or "Four Species," based on Leviticus 23:40: “On the first day, you shall take the fruit of splendid trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days.” These four plants are:

1. Etrog – A citron, a fragrant citrus fruit.

2. Lulav – A palm branch.

3. Hadasim – Three myrtle branches.

4. Aravot – Two willow branches.

The lulav, hadasim, and aravot are bound together, while the etrog is held separately. Each day of Sukkot (except Shabbat), Jews recite a blessing over the Four Species, hold them together, and wave them in six directions—east, south, west, north, up, and down—symbolizing God’s omnipresence. The first time this ritual is performed, the Shehecheyanu blessing is added, thanking God for sustaining life to reach this moment.

The Four Species are also waved during the Hallel prayers (Psalms 113-118) and the Hoshaanot processions, where congregants circle the synagogue’s reading table. This ritual celebrates the harvest and connects participants to nature and spirituality.

Ushpizin: Welcoming Spiritual Guests

A mystical tradition rooted in Kabbalah involves inviting the Ushpizin, seven spiritual "guests," into the sukkah over the seven days. These guests are Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph, and David. These spiritual figures are welcomed into the sukkah each day, with a different one taking the lead according to an ancient sequence. 

This custom symbolizes hospitality and the presence of these biblical figures as companions during the festival, enhancing its spiritual depth. The idea isn’t just quaint symbolism; it’s a call to live with a sense of honor and hospitality. Inviting these symbolic guests into your sukkah means you’re opening your home and heart, inviting in blessings and positive energy. It’s one of those traditions that ties you directly to the mysticism and lore of Jewish history.

The Water-Drawing Ceremony: A Historical Celebration

In ancient times, when the Temple stood in Jerusalem, Sukkot featured the Simchat Beit HaShoeivah ("Rejoicing at the Place of Water-Drawing"). Priests poured water on the altar, accompanied by all-night festivities in the Temple courtyard. Levites played instruments, sages danced with flaming torches, and giant oil lamps illuminated the city. The celebration continued until dawn, when water was drawn from the Shiloach Spring with great joy. The Talmud states, “He who has not seen the rejoicing of the water-drawing has not seen joy in his life.”

Today, Jews commemorate this tradition with Simchat Beit HaShoeivah events featuring singing and dancing, often held on streets or in synagogues. The Lubavitcher Rebbe encouraged celebrations even on Shabbat and Yom Tov, without instruments, emphasizing that Sukkot’s joy transcends historical limitations.

7 Quick and Easy Sukkot Activities for Your Family

What makes Sukkot so great is how it brings people together, especially families. It’s hands-on, outdoorsy, and full of opportunities to make memories with your loved ones. Whether you’re crafting decorations, cooking something tasty, or just soaking in the fresh air, there’s plenty to keep everyone involved. Here are seven simple, fun ideas to enjoy Sukkot with your family, with step-by-step tips to make them happen.

1. Spruce Up Your Sukkah with Nature-Inspired Decor

The sukkah is the star of the holiday, and decorating it is a perfect family project. Start by collecting some natural stuff from your yard, like twigs, pinecones, or dried leaves, to weave into the walls or layer on the roof. Then, get creative with homemade touches. 

Kids can cut out shapes like pomegranates or grapes from construction paper, poke a hole in the top, and thread some string through to hang them up. Try making a little pomegranate decoration by gluing red tissue paper onto a cardboard circle, or cluster some purple beads together for a grape-inspired piece. For a fuller look, twist some green pipe cleaners into stems and attach them to a pomegranate bouquet to tuck into a corner.

To add some movement, tie up a few swirl decorations. They’re super easy to hang with a bit of tape or string and spin gently when the wind catches them. Let everyone pitch in with their own ideas, like drawing fruit designs or stringing popcorn garlands, until the sukkah feels like home.

2. Turn Your Sukkah into an Art Gallery

Make your sukkah a cozy showcase by hanging up some family-made art. Pick out a few laminated posters that feel special, like a father and son picture, a tree design, or a Yehuda Ben Taima quote, and clip them to the walls with clothespins or tie them with yarn. They’re tough enough to handle a little weather, so no worries there.

For a fun twist, hand out scratch-art sheets themed for Sukkot. Give each kid a wooden stylus (or even a coin if you’re in a pinch) and let them scratch away to reveal bright colors underneath. Tape their finished pieces next to the posters, and you’ve got a mini gallery that’s all your own. It’s a chill way to get creative together, and the kids will love showing off their work.

3. Dress Up Your Sukkah Table

Eating in the sukkah is a big part of the fun, so make the table a group effort. Spread out a bright lemon-themed tablecloth to set the mood; it’s got that fresh, harvest vibe. Pair it with some lemon and stem paper plates that match perfectly and save you from washing dishes.

Get the kids to jazz things up by sticking Sukkot-themed stickers onto plain cups or folding napkins into funny shapes. Toss in some Sukkot straws with cute little designs, maybe a tiny lulav or fruit, and watch everyone grin as they sip their drinks. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it turns a regular meal into something special. Bonus points if you let the kids arrange a centerpiece with extra pinecones or leaves from the yard.

4. Craft a Sukkah Mobile SunCatcher

A sun catcher mobile is a cool way to play with the light coming through your sukkah’s roof. Grab a sukkah mobile sun catcher kit; it usually comes with shapes like stars or leaves and some string. Sit down with the kids, let them color the pieces with markers or crayons, then help them tie the shapes onto a stick or hanger. Hang it up high with a piece of twine where the sunlight can hit it, and watch it sparkle as the day goes on.

This takes about 20 minutes tops, and it’s a neat way to make the sukkah feel alive. If you’ve got extra time, add some beads or feathers to the strings for a fancier look. The kids will love watching it twirl in the breeze.

5. Tell Stories and Paint in the Sukkah

Gather everyone in the sukkah for a laid-back storytelling session. Pile in with some blankets, and take turns sharing short tales about the holiday, like the ushpizin tradition where we welcome symbolic guests each night. Keep it simple for little ones, maybe just a quick story about building a sukkah. Then, pass out magic paint sheets. They’re awesome because you just dip a brush in water, swipe it over the paper, and hidden colors pop out, no paint mess required.

Set up on a tray or the table, pour some water into cups for dipping, and let everyone create their own Sukkot scene. Sip some juice or hot cocoa while you’re at it, and you’ve got a cozy, creative moment that feels just right for the holiday.

6. Go on a Sukkot Scavenger Hunt

Get the family moving with a scavenger hunt around the sukkah or yard. Make a list of things to find, like a stick for the roof, a yellow fruit to mimic the etrog, or something red like a pomegranate decoration. Hide a few surprises, like stickers or a tiny grape cluster, in easy spots, under a chair or behind a wall.

For little kids, keep it to five items and help them along; for bigger ones, add clues like “find something that grows on a vine” to keep them guessing. It’s fast to set up, just jot down the list and hide a couple things, and it’s a blast watching everyone race around. Afterward, pile back into the sukkah to show off the finds.

7. Have a Sukkot Sing-Along

Singing together is a surefire way to bring some joy to the sukkah. Pull everyone in, pick some holiday tunes like “Hallelujah” or “V’samachta B’chagecha,” and let loose. If you’ve got a guitar or tambourine, bring it along; otherwise, clap or tap the table to keep the beat. Hang a laminated poster with lyrics or a fun picture to set the scene, and pass out Sukkot straws for sipping drinks between songs.

Keep it casual, let the kids shout out their favorites or make up silly lines about the sukkah. If someone’s shy, encourage them to hum along. It’s a happy, no-fuss way to end a day of fun, and the smiles will linger long after the last note.