When is the menora lit?

There was a 7-branched menorah which was lit in the Temple in Jerusalem (Exodus ch.25). After the Greeks desecrated the Temple only a small container of pure olive oil was found and this oil miraculously lasted 8 days until more could be obtained. The festival of Hanukkah commemorates this miracle and also the victory of the Maccabee rebels in their revolt against the Greeks. A special menorah (hanukkiah) with places for 8 candles (+ 1 "service" candle) is lit on each night of Hanukkah. Many people use olive oil instead of candles. After sunset (or later) one candle is lit on the first night, two on the second, etc. On Friday nights, Hanukkah candles are lit before Sabbath candles, and larger candles are used so that they will burn until after dusk for the required time.