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Purim

Unmask your joy this Purim! Join us in celebrating a story of courage with feasts, costumes, and lots of hamentashen!

Monday

March 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATE14th Day of Adar

OBSERVED INInternationally

CATEGORYReligion

SUBCATEGORYJewish

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Mark your calendars for an exciting celebration this March 24, for Purim! This joyful Jewish holiday commemorates the brave Esther, who saved her people from villainous plans in ancient Persia. The story is filled with thrilling twists and turns, and to this day, we celebrate Purim with great gusto. We honor Esther's courage with fantastic feasts, vibrant costumes, and the delightful tradition of baking and eating hamentashen—triangular cookies filled with sweet goodness. Unmask your joy and join us in jubilation! The story of Purim is a testament to bravery and a reason for joyous merrymaking, so let's dive into the celebration with all our hearts!

TIMELINE

Purim Timeline

Persian Empire Emergence

The Persian Empire, the setting for the Purim story, is established by Cyrus the Great.

Purim Story Unfolds

The events of the Book of Esther, which is the basis of Purim, take place during the reign of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I).

Book of Esther Written

The Book of Esther is written, narrating the saga which is commemorated during Purim.

Purim Plays Popularized

Purim spiels, playful retellings of the Book of Esther, grow in popularity as a way to celebrate the holiday.

Purim in Israel

Purim is institutionalized as a national holiday in Israel, and multiple traditions including eating hamentashen and wearing costumes are widely practiced.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Purim

Bake your own Hamentashen

With a triangular shape representing Haman's hat, these cookies are a delicious and meaningful part of the Purim tradition. Get creative with fillings like traditional poppyseed, chocolate, or even your favorite fruit preserve.

HOST

Host a costume party

In the spirit of mockery and merriment against Haman, throw a costume party with friends and family. You can even make it more exciting by hosting a contest for the best outfit.

CREATE

Create Purim gift baskets

Also known as mishloach manot, the act of making and giving gift baskets to friends and neighbors is a meaningful Purim tradition. Fill baskets with Hamentashen, fruits, nuts, wine, and other goodies to share the joy.

ORGANIZE

Organize a Purim Feast

Known as the Seudat Purim, the feast is a highlight of the celebration. Include traditional foods like kreplach (meat filled dumplings), challah bread, and of course, plenty of Hamentashen for dessert.

STAGE

Stage a Purim Play

Purim is all about storytelling. Gather your friends or family and put on a play telling the story of Esther’s bravery in saving her people. Kids and adults alike will enjoy breathing new life into this ancient tale.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why Purim is Important

It involves immersive storytelling

One of the main draws of Purim is the opportunity for creative storytelling. Staging a Purim play is an engaging, immersive way to retell and reconnect with the holiday's history. It offers a unique platform for audiences, especially children, to learn about the story of Esther in an entertaining and unforgettable way.

Fun and Creative Celebrations

Purim is a holiday filled with a variety of cultural and culinary experiences. From baking our own Hamentashen to dressing up in costumes to hosting feasts, there's a whole array of traditions that make celebrating Purim an enjoyable and creative affair. Plus, making gift baskets to share the joy is a fun and meaningful way of fostering community bonds.

It commemorates an ancient story of bravery

The story behind Purim is a testament to the courage of Esther and an example of how one person's bravery can save many. This powerful narrative remains relevant today, serving as an inspiration to stand against injustice. Each time we celebrate Purim, we not only enjoy lively festivities but also recall the heroic acts of Esther, maintaining this important link to our heritage.

Related holidays

MON

Mar 2026

Religion

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.