The Chanukah Lights should be kindled at nightfall on each of the eight nights of Chanukah. What follows is a brief, step-by-step guide to Chanukah observance.
Who
All members of the family should be present at the kindling of the Chanukah lights. Children should be encouraged to light their own Menorahs. Students and singles who live in dormitories or their own apartments should kindle menorahs in their own rooms.
Where
Many have the custom to place the menorah in a doorway opposite the mezuzah (such is the custom of Chabad-Lubavitch) so that the two mitzvot of mezuzah and Chanukah surround the person. Others place it on a window sill facing a public through-fare.
When
Setting Up Your Menorah
It is preferable to use cotton wicks in olive oil, or paraffin candles, in amounts large enough to burn until half an hour after nightfall. If not, regular candles can be used as well.
The candles of a menorah must be of equal height in a straight row.
The shamash, the servant candle that kindles the other lights, should stand out from the rest (i.e. higher or lower).
The Chanukah Lights must burn for at least half an hour each night. Before kindling the lights, make sure that there is enough oil (or if candles are used, that they are big enough) to last half an hour.
from: chabadworld.net/
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