When to light chanuka neiros

[Aliza]

When should one light chanuka neiros l’chatchila?

[ralph.lasry]

From sundown

[yisroel]

theres some more detail in this thread

Chanukah candles and shabbos

wanted to follow up on this. if I light the menorah 18 minutes before shkia, and if tzeis is approx. 35 minutes after shkia, the menorah will have been let for 53 minutes by the time tzeis arrives. this means that the menorah will only burn for another 5-10 minutes after tzeis. is this enough?

[Jonny]

I know it’s late for this year, but for next year:

1. If I am late, and light 60 min after shkiya, would I still make a bracha?
2. On motzi shabbos, do we do havdala first at home?

[ralph.lasry]

1. With a bracha all night

2. You can do menorah first if you want.

[Eliadler]

I can light from shkiah until what time, l’chatchilah?

[raCHDaL]

Since today the mitzvah of lighting Chanukah lights is for the members of the household and not those found outside, the lechatchila zman would be after shkia when all the family will assemble.
Today shkia is zerisim makdimim, but obviously the attendance of the bnei habayis trumps the zman.