Love, Lights, Hanukkah!

Name: Love, Lights, Hanukkah!
Genre: Christmas, Hanukkah, Big City, Enemies to Lovers, Cute Kid
Released: 2020-01-01
Duration: 1 h 24 min
Rating: 6.7
Cast: Mia Kirshner, Ben Savage, Marilu Henner, Advah Soudack, David Kaye

6.7/10 · 1,255 ratings20201h 24mChristmasWeirdness 4/10Bingo card

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The premise

As Christina prepares her restaurant for its busiest time of year, she gets her DNA test revealing that she's Jewish. The discovery leads her to a new family and an unlikely romance over eight nights.

Themes:Identity and Heritage Blended Traditions Grief and Healing Found Family The Power of DNA Discovery

How unusual is it?

Middle of the road, with a twist — an enemies-to-lovers arc keeps it from being totally by-the-book.

A rare specific

Tap to find the other Hallmark movies that share it.

Restaurant Owner as the lead1 of only 8

Who’s in it

Our Girl

Mia Kirshner

as Christina Rossi

Our Guy

Ben Savage

as David Singer

Alongside them

Show all 10 cast

Behind the camera

Show

Directed by

Mark Jean

Written by

Karen Berger

Wait, what?

The quirks and curveballs that make this one a little weirder than your average Hallmark. No spoilers, promise.

The 'Eight Crazy Latkes' menu including the 'Holy Guacalatke' and 'Whole Enchilatke'.
Scott's suggestion of a 'Chocolatke'.
The protagonist discovering a secret family via DNA test on a whim during Christmas.
A food critic who can say goodbye in 40 languages.

Every trope, all in one place

Here’s everything this one has going on, from the setting to the way it wraps up. Tap any of the 36 to find more movies that do the same thing.

How it all plays out

Already seen it, or just can’t wait? Open this up for the whole story, ending included.

Full story (spoilers)

Christina Rossi is struggling through her first Christmas without her adoptive mother, Sophia, while running their Italian restaurant, Dolce Angelo. After a pipe burst forces a temporary closure, Christina receives DNA results revealing she is 50% Jewish. She meets Becky Berman, a 'close family' match, and discovers a whole new family in Shaker Heights. During a brunch, Becky's mother Ruth realizes Christina is the daughter she gave up for adoption decades ago after a short-lived marriage in Italy. Christina is initially overwhelmed, feeling a sense of betrayal toward Sophia's memory, but she begins to bond with her new siblings, Becky and Scott. She also crosses paths with David Singer, a food critic who once called her cooking 'predictable.' As David prepares for a research trip to Europe, he and Christina grow close while he teaches her about Hanukkah traditions like lighting the menorah and making kugel. David uses his connections to track down Christina's biological father, Giorgio, in Italy, providing her with his phone number as a life-changing gift. The film culminates in a blended celebration where Christina hosts the 'Feast of the Seven Fishes' for both her old friends and her new Jewish family. David reveals he is moving back to Cleveland to be with her, and Christina finally calls Giorgio, embracing her expanded identity.

Beat by beat

Opening
Christina receives DNA results showing she is 50% Jewish and connects with a match named Becky Berman.
Midpoint
During a family brunch, Ruth realizes Christina is the daughter she gave up for adoption after a brief marriage in Italy.
Midpoint
Christina begins learning Hanukkah traditions, including lighting the menorah and making latkes, while balancing her Christmas preparations.
Climax
David presents Christina with the phone number of her biological father, Giorgio, whom he tracked down in Italy.
Climax
Christina hosts a combined holiday dinner, the Feast of the Seven Fishes, for her Italian friends and her new Jewish family.
Resolution
David decides to settle in Cleveland to be with Christina, and she makes her first phone call to her father in Italy.

36 tropes in one movie

We counted 36 distinct Hallmark tropes packed into this one — a genuine greatest-hits reel.

How it stacks up

Where this one’s rating lands against every other rated Hallmark movie.

Higher-rated than 74% of every rated Hallmark movie. The median is 6.4.

Where this one fits

The corners of the catalog Love, Lights, Hanukkah! belongs to — handy if you’re after more of the same.

BINGOA cup of cocoa, coffee or ciderThe love interest is a writerA pun heavy latke menu gets pitchedA character is hiding a secretA famous celebrity character appearsA plumbing problem closes the restaurantA calendar reminder raises the stakesA genuine Christmas miracleThe leads kissHebrew prayer pronunciation gets coachedHanukkah and Christmas prep collideA shared meal around a crowded table★A quiet moment under string lightsA local business is savedThe leads laugh at the same momentSomeone cooks or bakes on screenA heart-to-heart on a porch or benchA best friend who has all the answersA first attempt at making latkesA misunderstanding nearly ruins everythingA change of heart by the final actA musical number or live performanceSanta Claus appearsThe leads start out at odds

Hallmark Bingo

Your Love, Lights, Hanukkah! card is dealt.

Twenty-four squares pulled from this movie’s own quirks — the cosy classics, a few only-in-this-one curveballs, and a couple of decoys. Mark them as you watch.

Open your card

Lines worth quoting

The lines that stuck with us — the ones you’ll be repeating after the credits roll.

“I think you've gone a latke too far.”
— Becky BermanReacting to Scott's idea for a chocolate latke.
“Barukh. A little more phlegm.”
— David SingerTeaching Christina how to pronounce the Hebrew prayers for the menorah lighting.
“My deepest appreciation to the unpredictable, unforgettable Christina Rossi.”
— David SingerPromising a dedication in his upcoming book.
“I'm your biological mother.”
— Ruth BermanThe dramatic reveal during the family brunch.

Meet the characters

Who’s who before you press play. Nothing here gives the ending away.

Christina Rossi
Lead
Chef/Restaurant Owner
PassionateTraditionalSentimentalOver-decorator
David Singer
Love interest
Food Critic
Love interest and family friend of her biological family
OpinionatedWell-traveledEncouragingPolyglot
Ruth Berman
Supporting
Retired / Family Matriarch
Biological mother
KindRegretfulWelcoming
Becky Berman
Supporting
Restaurant Owner
Half-sister
EnthusiasticSportyFamily-oriented
Scott Berman
Supporting
Restaurant Owner
Half-brother
CompetitiveQuirkyFood-obsessed

Questions people ask about Love, Lights, Hanukkah!

Where can I watch Love, Lights, Hanukkah!?

Love, Lights, Hanukkah! is available via fuboTV, Philo, and Hallmark+ Amazon Channel. Streaming options change often, so check current availability before settling in.

How long is Love, Lights, Hanukkah!?

Love, Lights, Hanukkah! runs about 1 hour and 24 minutes, and was released in 2020.

Is Love, Lights, Hanukkah! a Christmas movie?

Yes. Love, Lights, Hanukkah! is a Hallmark Christmas movie, set during the holiday season.

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