Purim

Purim begins at sundown on Monday, March 22, 2027, and the holiday fills Tuesday, March 23 with costumes, noise, gifts, and feasting. It is the most joyous day of the Jewish calendar, celebrating the deliverance of the Jewish people of ancient Persia.

MAR23

Tuesday, March 23Every year on March 23

days to go

Roots: Purim celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people of ancient Persia from a plot to annihilate them, as told in the Book of Esther, and its name means lots in ancient Persian.
Hashtag: #Purim

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3 ways to celebrate

IN COMMUNITY

Hear the Megillah

Attend a public reading of the Scroll of Esther in the evening or morning, and join the joyful noise every time Haman's name is read.

WITH FRIENDS

Wear a Costume

Costumes are part of the joy of the day. Dress up for the festive meal, a parade, or a community celebration.

WITH FRIENDS

Send Mishloach Manot

Put together a package of food gifts and send it to a friend. These Purim packages of yummy food are one of the day's defining traditions.

Plan ahead

Purim is observed on March 23 every year. Here is where it lands for the next ten years, handy for planners, marketers and party people.

2026Mon, Mar 23this year

2027Tue, Mar 23

2028Thu, Mar 23

2029Fri, Mar 23

2030Sat, Mar 23

2031Sun, Mar 23

2032Tue, Mar 23

2033Wed, Mar 23

2034Thu, Mar 23

2035Fri, Mar 23

2036Sun, Mar 23

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Fast facts

At Megillah readings, every time Haman's name is read, listeners drown it out with groggers, boos, and stamping feet.

The signature treat is the hamantasch, a triangular filled pastry, traditionally filled with poppy seed, prune, or jam.

The story

Purim celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people of ancient Persia from a plot by Haman, an adviser to the king, to annihilate them, as told in the Book of Esther. The events are set in the ancient Persian Empire in the 5th century BCE. The name Purim means lots in ancient Persian, after the lots Haman cast to choose the day of his planned attack.

Read the full story

The centerpiece of the observance is the public reading of the Megillah, the Scroll of Esther, in the evening and again in the morning. It is a raucous affair: every time Haman's name is read, listeners drown it out with groggers, or noisemakers, boos, and stamping feet, so that no one can hear it.

Two acts of giving define the day, both drawn from the Book of Esther. Mishloach manot are gifts of food sent to friends, and matanot la'evyonim are gifts to the poor. Purim is observed as days of feasting and merrymaking, and as an occasion for sending gifts to one another and presents to the poor.

Purim is the most joyous day of the Jewish calendar, marked by costumes, a festive meal called seudat Purim, humorous skits, and parades. The signature treat is the hamantasch, a triangular pastry filled with poppy seed, prune, or jam. In 2027 the reading begins at sundown on Monday, March 22, the holiday day is Tuesday, March 23, and in Jerusalem the celebration extends through Wednesday.