Purim might just be the best Jewish holiday (sorry Yom Kippur!). You get to dress up in costume, make noise (Boo, Haman!), and eat pastries (mmm…hamantaschen). In addition to the general celebratory atmosphere, many synagogues and JCCs hold Purim carnivals with moon bounces, face painting, and carnival games. What’s not to love?
To help you get in a holiday mood, we’ve rounded up some of the best Purim parties and carnivals going on near you.
Purim 2017 begins on Saturday evening, March 11 and concludes at sundown on Sunday, March 12.
Featured event: jBaby Chicago Purim Ultimate Playdate – Come in costume and celebrate Purim with crafts, music & open play. For families with babies and toddlers ages 0 – 24 months, locations in the city and suburbs, advance registration requested
Purim Story Time: Make Some Noise…It’s Purim!
Learn about Purim with stories, songs, and activities. For ages 0 – 2 and their families, siblings welcome, choose from two different dates and locations – Northbrook and Deerfield. RSVP requested. Free
The Book Bin, 1151 Church St, Northbrook
Saturday, March 4, 2:30 – 3 p.m.
Deerfield Barnes & Noble, 726 North Waukegan Rd, Deerfield
Wednesday, March 8, 10:30 – 11 a.m.
JCC Chicago 2nd Fridays Purim Celebration
Celebrate Shabbat and Purim with music, costumes, hamantaschen, and stories. Choose the most convenient location, advance registration requested. $30/family
Florence Heller JCC, 524 W. Melrose, Chicago
Bernard Weinger JCC, 300 Revere Dr, Northbrook
Lake County JCC, 23280 N. Old McHenry Rd, Lake Zurich
Friday, March 10, 5:45 – 7:30 p.m.
Megillah Mania
Purim dinner with other families with young children followed by Megillah reading, a costume parade, and Purim spiel. RSVP required for dinner. $10/kids 12 and under, $13/adults
Congregation Beth Shalom, 3433 Walters Ave, Northbrook, IL
Saturday, March 11, 5:15 p.m.
Mr. Ray’s Guide to Purim
Go on a Purim journey with Mr. Ray, learn about the Purim story, play games, and decorate hamantaschen with Mr. Ray, followed by a pizza and pasta dinner. For children ages 2 – 6 years, RSVP requested. Free
Beth Hillel Congregation Bnei Emunah, 3220 Big Tree Ln, Wilmette
Saturday, March 11, 5 – 6:45 p.m., Megillah reading, 6:45 p.m.
Hamilton Purim Celebration
Show off your costume, shake your grogger, and celebrate Purim with crafts, dinner, and hamantaschen. RSVP required for dinner. $7/person ages 4 and up
KAM Isaiah Israel, 1100 E Hyde Park Blvd, Chicago
Saturday, March 11, 5 p.m.
Hamilton Musical Purim Celebration for Families
Celebrate Purim with other families with young children (2nd grade and under). Free
Temple Sholom of Chicago, 3480 N Lake Shore Dr
Sunday, March 12, 11 a.m.
Purim Celebration for Families with Young Children & Individuals with Special Needs
Singing, stories, and early admission to the Purim carnival.
Beth Emet, 1224 Dempster, Evanston
Sunday March 12, 10:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Family Purim Party
Celebrate Purim with Mishkan Chicago by learning about and participating in all four of the mitzvot related to Purim – listening to the Purim story, eating a festive meal, giving to the needy, and exchanging treats with friends. RSVP requested. Free
Second Unitarian Church, 656 W. Barry
Sunday, March 12, 3 – 5 p.m.
Purim Puppet Show & Carnival for Russian Jewish Families
Learn about Purim through an interactive puppet show with music and games, make your own mask and enjoy a Purim treat before the show. $10/family
Solomon Schechter Day School, 3210 Dundee Rd., Northbrook
Sunday, March 12, 4:30 p.m.
jBaby Chicago Purim Ultimate Play Date
Come in costume and celebrate Purim with crafts, music & open play. For families with babies and toddlers ages 0 – 24 months, locations in the city and suburbs, advance registration requested. $18/family
City – Bubbles Academy, 2184 N Elston Ave
Suburbs – Jumps & Jiggles, 1000 Wellington Ave, Elk Grove Village
Sunday, March 19, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Purim Carnivals
Sunday, February 12, 2017
City
Temple Sholom of Chicago, 3480 N Lake Shore Dr., 11:30 a.m.
JCC Chicago Hyde Park, 5200 S. Hyde Park Blvd, Noon
Emanuel Congregation, 5959 N. Sheridan Rd., Noon
Anshe Emet Synagogue, 3751 North Broadway, 11 a.m.
Suburbs
Congregation Solel, 1301 Clavey Rd Highland Park, 9:45 a.m.
Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W Dempster Skokie, 10 a.m.
Temple Chai, 1670 Checker Rd. Long Grove, 10 a.m.
Beth Tikvah Congregation, 300 Hillcrest Blvd. Hoffman Estates. 10 a.m.
Kol Hadash Humanistic Congregation, Deerfield High School, 1959 Waukegan Rd, Deerfield, 10:30 a.m.
Temple Beth-El, 3610 Dundee Rd, Northbrook, 10:30 a.m.
Congregation Beth Judea, Route 83 & Hilltop Rd, Long Grove, 11 a.m.
Congregation Or Shalom, 21 Hawthorn Pkwy, Vernon Hills, 11 a.m.
North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, 1175 Sheridan Rd, Highland Park, 11 a.m.
Congregation Beth Shalom, 3433 Walters Ave., Northbrook, 11:30 a.m.
Beth Hillel Congregation Bnai Emunah, 3220 Big Tree Ln, Wilmette, 11:30 a.m.
Temple Jeremiah, 937 Happ Rd, Northfield, 11:30 a.m.
Baking hamantaschen can be a great way to get in the holiday mood and is also a great weekend or afternoon activity to occupy the kids. 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.
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