Purim just might be our favorite Jewish holiday (Sorry Passover!). Kids and grown-ups get to listen to a story about a king, queen, and bad guy, make noise, and eat hamantaschen. To add to the fun, most JCC’s and synagogues have carnivals with games, prizes, inflatables, and treats. To help you get in a holiday mood, we’ve rounded up the best Purim parties and carnivals in our corner of New Jersey. Happy Purim!
Purim 2017 begins on Saturday evening, March 11 and concludes at sundown on Sunday, March 12.
Early Bird Purim Carnival
Get excited for Purim with carnival rides, prizes, inflatables, and a costume parade, food will be available for purchase. All ages. $25/family, $10/child, $5/adult
YM-YWHA of Union County, 501 Green Ln, Union
Sunday, February 26, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Family Hamantaschen Bake
Make your own hamantaschen from scratch with Chabad of Union County. All ages, RSVP requested. $10/pp
JCC of Central NJ, 1391 Martine Ave, Scotch Plains
Thursday, March 2, 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Purim Drama & Art Fun 
Come in costume and have some Purim from with singing, dancing, and crafts led by Golda Och Academy drama and arts department. Best for ages 3 – 6 years, advance registration requested. Free
Golda Och Upper School, 1418 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange
Sunday, March 5, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Torah Tot Time – Purim
Learn about Purim with Rabbi Mills through music, movement, stories, and crafts. For kids ages 2 – Kindergarten along with a parent or grandparent. Free
Temple Beth Am, 879 S. Beverwick Rd, Parsippany
Sunday, March 5, 9:45 – 11:15 a.m.
Family Purim Party
Listen to the Purim story told by excerpts from the megillah, singing, and dancing along with a costume parade, DJ dance party, tzedakah project, and hamantaschen-making. All ages. Free
Oheb Shalom Congregation, 170 Scotland Rd, South Orange
Saturday, March 11, 6:15 – 8:15 p.m.
Family Megillah Reading
Family-friendly megillah reading, costume parade, prizes, and Purim treats.
B’nai Shalom, 300 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange
Saturday, March 11, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Grand Purim Tea Party
Take a virtual trip to Russia for a tea party with Purim games and crafts. Best for ages 2 – 6 years, RSVP requested but not required.
Gottesman RTW Academy, 146 Dover Chester Rd, Randolph
Sunday, March 12, 3 – 5 p.m.
Purim at the J
Celebrate Purim at the JCC with a performance by Keith Leaf, a juggler and variety entertainer, community megillah reading to follow. All ages. Free
JCC MetroWest, 760 Northfield Ave, West Orange
Sunday, March 12, 10 a.m. – Noon
Purim Workshop
Learn about the holiday of Purim through songs, snacks, and other activities and eat some holiday treats, followed by a Purim carnival and festive meal. Best for kids ages 3 – 8 years. Free
B’nai Shalom, 300 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange
Sunday, March 12, 10 – 11 a.m., Carnival begins @ 11 a.m. – $5/pp, $20/family
Torah Tots
Learn about the holiday of Purim through singing, stories, and crafts. For preschoolers ages 3 -5 years and their families. Free
Temple Har Shalom, 104 Mount Horeb Rd, Warren
Sunday, March 12, 10– 11 a.m.
Mitzvah Mania – Purim
Make Purim baskets and deliver them to the residents of Lester Senior Housing, followed by a Purim celebration with the senior residents. For teens ages 12 and up, advance registration requested.
Lester Senior Housing, 905 Route 10 East, Whippany
Sunday, March 12, 1 – 3 p.m.
Grand Purim Celebration
Celebrate Purim with Chabad at Short Hills at Powerhouse Studios, register online. $18/child, $25/adult, $72/family
Powerhouse Studios, 7 Littell Rd, East Hanover
Sunday, March 12, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Drop-in Purim Story Time
Listen to PJ Library stories and songs about Purim. For infants, ages 3 – 12 months and their parents or caregivers. No RSVP required. Free
Temple Beth Shalom, 193 East Mount Pleasant Ave, Livingston
Monday, March 13, 10:45 – 11:05 a.m.
Drop-in Purim Story Time
Listen to PJ Library stories and songs about Purim. For toddlers ages 24 months and up and their parents or caregivers. No RSVP required. Free
Temple Beth Shalom, 193 East Mount Pleasant Ave, Livingston
Tuesday, March 14, 9:30 – 10 a.m.
Purim Carnivals
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Congregation Agudath Israel , 20 Academy Rd, Caldwell, 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Sunday, March 12, 2017
Congregation B’nai Israel, 160 Millburn Ave, Millburn, 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Congregation Beth Israel, 18 Shalom Way, Scotch Plains, 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Temple Emanu-El, 765 Broad Street, Westfield, 10:45 – 12:30 p.m.
Congregation Shomrei Emunah, 67 Park Street, Montclair, 11 a.m.
Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael, 60 Temple Drive, Springfield, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Congregation B’nai Israel, 40 Whitenack Rd, Basking Ridge, Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Oheb Shalom Congregation, 170 Scotland Rd, South Orange, Noon – 2 p.m.
Temple B’nai Abraham, 300 East Northfield Rd, Livingston, NJ, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Temple Shalom, 215 South Hillside Ave, Succasunna, Noon – 2 p.m.
B’nai Shalom, 300 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Baking hamantaschen is a great (and delicious) way to get the kids excited for Purim and keep them occupied for a couple of hours. Looking for a recipe, or general inspiration? Check out these 15 hamantaschen recipes and this cool graphic breaking down how to cut out, fill and fold hamantaschen.
Download your FREE, fun, camp- themed Purim activity booklet from your friends at One Happy Camper NJ!!
