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Erev Purim

A religious observance marking the eve of Purim with the first reading of the Megillah recounting the salvation of the Jewish people from genocide plotted by Haman in ancient Persia.

Monday

March 2027

Last updated February 26, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATE14th Day of Adar

OBSERVED INIsrael

CATEGORYReligion

SUBCATEGORYJewish

ORIGIN

Religious Origin

FOUNDING ENTITY

Queen Esther and Mordecai

FIRST OBSERVED

circa 473 BCE

HOW THE HOLIDAY CAME TO BE

Purim was established by Queen Esther and Mordecai through letters commanding annual commemoration of the Jews' salvation from Haman's plot in ancient Persia, circa 473 BCE. The practice of reading the Megillah on the eve (Erev Purim) was instituted by Rabbi Joshua ben Levi in the 3rd century CE, as recorded in the Talmud.

News Archivevia en.wikipedia.org

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Embrace the happiness and festive spirit as we welcome Erev Purim on March 23! Held on the Hebrew calendar date of Adar 13, Erev Purim marks the eve of the colorful and joyous festival of Purim. This age-old Jewish tradition involves community gatherings, vibrant costumes, feasting on hamantaschen (triangular filled pastries), and the exciting retelling of the story of Esther. As a prelude to Purim Day, Erev Purim holds an air of anticipation and festivity, echoing with sounds of graggers (noisemakers) that drown out the name of the villain Haman and adding a context of victory and triumph to the celebration. It's time to get your costumes and feast ready, let's make this Erev Purim truly memorable!

TIMELINE

Erev Purim Timeline

Historical Origin

Erev Purim's origin is traced back to the events documented in the Book of Esther in the Persian Empire, featuring Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai.

Book of Esther

The Book of Esther is included in the third section of the Jewish Tanakh, providing an account of the miraculous events leading to the celebration of Purim and Erev Purim.

Erev Purim Customs

During the Middle Ages, distinctive customs and traditions associated with Erev Purim evolve, including public readings of the Book of Esther, exchanging gifts, and giving charity.

Hamantaschen Popularity

In the 1800s, the tradition of baking and consuming hamantaschen, the triangular filled pastries, becomes an integral part of Erev Purim and Purim celebrations.

Global Recognition

By the 20th century, Erev Purim and its associated traditions have become globally recognized, celebrating Jewish history, resilience, and joy in many nations worldwide.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Erev Purim

Craft your own graggers

Add a personal touch to the celebration! Gather a few basic art and craft supplies and create your own graggers. Let your creativity shine, paint these noisemakers in vibrant colors, and add sparkling glitters or stickers for a fancy touch.

PREPARE

Prepare traditional food

Cook your favorite traditional Jewish dishes, including delicious Hamantaschen pastries, for Erev Purim. Involve the whole family in this fun-loving activity, as it is also an excellent opportunity to bond with your loved ones.

ARRANGE

Arrange a storytelling session

Organize a special storytelling session and narrate the heroic tale of Queen Esther to your family and friends. Make it more engaging by using props to add depth to the characters.

HOST

Host a costume party

To honor and relive the tale of Esther, host a costume party at home. Encourage your family and friends to dress up as their favorite Purim characters. You can also consider offering prizes for the best costumes.

PLAN

Plan a community celebration

Erev Purim is all about community celebrations. Plan a small gathering in your local area, include music, dancing, and food to make it a memorable event. Remember to respect and follow local health guidelines while planning any community events.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love Erev Purim

It educates about historic Jewish traditions

Erev Purim presents an engaging way to educate young minds about Jewish traditions and the meaningful story of Queen Esther. The storytelling session allows for a fun, interactive way to share legends and heritage with the younger generation. Thus, keeping the age-old traditions alive.

Erev Purim boosts a sense of community

Erev Purim promotes communal ties. It encourages people to connect with their Jewish heritage, and fosters close-knit bonds between individuals and their local communities. This sense of togetherness is truly special and one of the reasons that makes Erev Purim so loved.

It encourages creativity

From making colorful graggers to preparing traditional Jewish dishes, and hosting a costume party, Erev Purim encourages creativity and hands-on artistry. This day allows everyone, especially the young ones, to unleash their creativity and enjoy the fun activities associated with the festival.