Once a year, people get together to celebrate the Festival of Lights. Sure, you're familiar with families coming together to light a menorah at this time, but there's so much to the religious holiday that you may not know. In fact, when you dive into the history of Hanukkah, what each tradition means and how it's celebrated across the world, you may just learn a thing or two that will surprise you. Including the spelling — spoiler alert: Both Hanukkah and Chanukah are correct!

Whether this is your first time celebrating or you're brushing up on holiday knowledge, here are some fascinating Hanukkah facts that you may not have heard before.