The holiday of Purim is just around the corner, so dust off those costumes and get ready to nosh on some hamentaschen! Purim begins this year at sundown on Wednesday, March 4th and continues until sundown on Thursday, March 5th, but the festivities begin before and continue on after the actual date of the holiday.
Here’s where to celebrate Purim near you:
Brooklyn
Purim Family Costume Making Workshop and Brunch
Kibbutznik @ Park Slope invites Russian Jewish Families to a morning of Purim storytelling, costume making, and a festive Shabbat brunch, $36 per family.
Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, 53 Prospect Park West
Saturday, February 28, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Purim Drum Circle + Grogger-Making
Tell the story of Purim with rhymes and drums. Make your own rain stick or grogger. Free, please bring your own bag of dried beans for grogger-making. RSVP requested.
East Midwood Jewish Center, 1625 Ocean Avenue, (between Avenues K & L)
Saturday, February 28, 6:45 p.m.
Purim Family Festival @ North Williamsburg Y
A Purim costume party with storytelling, songs, and opportunities to give back. Free and open to the community. RSVP requested.
Kings Bay Y @ North Williamsburg, 14 Hope Street, Suite 1
Sunday, March 1, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Step Into: Purim
A fun and playful Purim celebration featuring Timbalooloo and Play Me a Story. For ages 2-10, $5 per person.
Hannah Senesh Community Day School, 342 Smith Street
Sunday, March 1, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
PJ Library Purim Costume Party
Sing, dance, make noise, and listen to stories to celebrate the holiday of Purim. For children up to age 6, free, RSVP requested.
Union Temple, 17 Eastern Parkway, 4th floor
Saturday, March 7, 9:30-11 a.m.
The following synagogues/organizations are also hosting Purim carnivals and or megillah readings. Follow the links to check them out: Congregation Mount Sinai, Chabad of Flatbush, Marks JCH of Bensonhurst, Park Slope Jewish Center, Kings Bay Y, Kolot Chayeinu, and Shorefront Y.
Bronx
Riverdale Y Purim Carnival
Come in costume and enjoy play stations, crafts, games, face painting, and more, $10 per family (includes 5 tickets for the carnival).
Riverdale YM-YWHA, 5625 Arlington Avenue
Sunday, March 1, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Manhattan
92Y Upside Down Purim Dinner
Wear your favorite costume to this topsy-turvy Shabbat dinner, and enjoy yummy kosher Chinese food, singing, and costume parade. Hosted by 92Y Shababa, RSVP required.
92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Avenue, Upper East Side
Friday, February 27, 6 p.m.
Purim With Firebird/JAR-Ptitsa & COJECO
A Purim celebration featuring an interactive performance for Russian speaking families, and other holiday fun. RSVP requested but not required.
Congregation Ansche Chesed, 251 West 100th Street, Upper East Side
Sunday, March 1, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights Purim Concert
Rock out to Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights at their annual concert at the JCC. Advance ticket purchase recommended.
JCC of Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave. @ 76th Street, Upper West Side
Sunday, March 1, 10-11 a.m.
LABA Kids Presents: ShirLiShir – Songs from My Youth
A concert celebrating Purim through a medley of Israeli children’s songs performed by Inbal Hever and Friends. Come in your favorite costume, make masks for an animal parade and take snapshots in a photo booth! Doors open for crafts at 2:45 p.m., $35 for a family ticket, $30 for a Y family ticket
14th Street Y, 344 E 14th Street ((14th St. & 1st Ave.)
Sunday, March 1, 3-4:30 p.m.
Zera’im/Seeds of Purim: Youth & Family Purim Celebration!
A fun-filled family Purim celebration including crafts, music, Purim storytelling, and a light dinner, $20 per family, RSVP not required.
Fort Tryon Jewish Center, 701 Fort Washington Avenue, Washington Heights
Wednesday, March 4, 5:30 p.m.
The following synagogues/organizations are also hosting carnivals and/or megillah readings. Follow the links to check them out: Ansche Chesed (Upper West Side), 92nd Street Y (Upper East Side), Sutton Place Synagogue (Midtown East), Inwood Jews (Washington Heights/Inwood), West End Synagogue (Upper West Side), and Manny Cantor Center (Lower East Side).
Queens
Circus Bicuspid
Get in a Purim mood with this hit, off-Broadway performance featuring juggling, music, magic, comedy, and hula hooping. Free and fun for all ages.
Hillcrest Jewish Center, 183-02 Union Turnpike
Sunday, March 1, 1-2:30 p.m.
SunnyShalom: Purim for Kids
Prepare for Purim with hamentaschen baking, a puppet show, Mishloach Manot swap, and more, for children ages 2-5.
Young Israel of Sunnyside, 4301A 46th Street, Sunnyside
Sunday, March 1, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Family Purim Bash!
A Megillah reading with a simultaneous slide show, a dance-off, crafts, prizes for the best dressed, and a smoothie bar and snacks.
Thursday, March 5, 5:30 p.m.
Chabad of Long Island City, 10-11 49th Avenue, Long Island City
Westchester
Merry Making
Join J-baby for fun in the gym and make a grogger (shaker) just in time for Purim, RSVP required, $10 per child ($5 for siblings).
Kidville, 145 Kisco Avenue, Mt. Kisco
Tuesday, March 3, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Young Families Purim Celebration
Celebrate Purim with stories, songs, snacks, crafts, and a brief Shabbat morning service. Parents can enjoy mimosas (non-alcoholic option available) while kids spin groggers. Free and open to the community.
Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester, 2125 Westchester Avenue East, Rye
Saturday, March 7, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
The following synagogues/organizations are hosting Purim carnivals and/or megillah readings. Follow the links to check them out: Beth El Synagogue Center, and Temple Beth Abraham.
Need a quick reminder of the Purim story? We’ve got you covered.
Want to bake some hamentaschen to celebrate? Check out these traditional ones, or go crazy with cookie butter or rose water and pistachios. Not a baker? Try these rice-krispie treat ones instead.