Shabbos 250 Times — candle lighting & Havdalah for May 15–16, 2026
Enter your ZIP code, city, or use your browser location to find your local candle lighting time on Friday, May 15, 2026 and your Havdalah time on Saturday night, May 16, 2026. Times are calculated by Hebcal.
When does Shabbos 250 start and end?
Shabbos 250 — also commonly spelled Shabbat 250 — begins before sundown on Friday, May 15, 2026 with the lighting of Shabbos candles, and ends after nightfall on Saturday, May 16, 2026 with Havdalah. The exact times depend on your location, because they are tied to local sunset and nightfall.
What is candle lighting time?
Candle lighting is traditionally about 18 minutes before sunset on Friday. After lighting, Shabbos has begun for the person who lit the candles, so all preparation should already be done — food cooked, lights set, phone put away, and the printed Shabbos 250 packet at hand.
What is Havdalah time?
Havdalah is said after nightfall on Saturday — typically once three medium stars are visible. Many communities use 42, 50, or 72 minutes after sunset; on this site we use the time returned by Hebcal for your location. Havdalah marks the transition from Shabbos back to the regular week, with wine or grape juice, fragrant spices (besamim), and a multi-wick candle.