Purim 2026

When Is Purim in 2026?

In 2026, Purim falls on March 2. The observance lasts 1 day (2 days in Jerusalem). Because Purim follows a 14 Adar (15 Adar in walled cities like Jerusalem — 'Shushan Purim'), Hebrew lunisolar calendar; in leap years, observed in Adar II, the exact Gregorian date shifts each year. Begins at sundown on 13 Adar. In leap years (2027, 2030 in this range), Purim is observed in Adar II (the second Adar), shifting it ~1 month later than non-leap years. Jerusalem and other ancient walled cities observe Shushan Purim a day later. The Hebrew leap cycle drives the year-to-year variation. Since Purim's date changes from year to year, here are the dates for the next five years so you can plan ahead: Year Date 2026 March 2 2027 March 22 2028 March 11 2029 March 1 2030 March 19

What Time Does Purim Start in Your Time Zone?

Purim falls on the 14th of Adar in the Hebrew calendar (the 15th in Jerusalem and other ancient walled cities — called Shushan Purim). In 2026, Purim falls on March 3 (with Shushan Purim on March 4 in Jerusalem). As with all Jewish holidays, the day begins at sunset the evening before, so the festival begins on the evening of March 2 and continues through the day of March 3. Purim is one of the few Jewish holidays that has a different date in different cities — the 14th of Adar in most places, the 15th in cities that were walled at the time of Joshua (most significantly Jerusalem). A Jewish visitor to Jerusalem on Purim will celebrate a day later than they would at home — and if Purim falls on a Friday, Shushan Purim (in Jerusalem) falls on Saturday, creating unusual liturgical combinations. The Talmudic discussion of which cities are "walled" has led to debates about whether cities like Safed, Tiberias, and Hebron should observe Shushan Purim; the current practice is that only Jerusalem definitely observes the 15th. The table below shows the observance date for Purim in major time zones around the world: Location Observance Date Time Zone New York, USA March 2 EST/EDT (UTC-5/-4) London, UK March 2 GMT/BST (UTC+0/+1) New Delhi, India March 2 IST (UTC+5:30) Sydney, Australia March 2 AEST/AEDT (UTC+10/+11) Dubai, UAE March 2 GST (UTC+4)

The Story Behind Purim

Purim is one of the most joyful and raucous festivals in the Jewish calendar, commemorating the deliverance of the Jewish people from a plot to destroy them in the ancient Persian Empire. The story is told in the biblical Book of Esther, which is read aloud twice during the festival — once on the eve of Purim and once on the morning of Purim. The festival falls on the 14th of Adar (the 12th month of the Hebrew calendar, or the 13th month in leap years, when it falls in Adar II). The story of Purim takes place in the Persian capital of Susa (Shushan) in the 5th century BCE, during the reign of King Ahasuerus (often identified with Xerxes I). The king's vizier, Haman, is enraged when a Jewish courtier named Mordecai refuses to bow down to him. In retaliation, Haman convinces the king to issue a decree calling for the destruction of all Jews in the empire on the 13th of Adar. Mordecai's cousin (and adopted daughter) Esther, who has become the king's queen (without revealing her Jewish identity), risks her life by approaching the king unbidden — a crime punishable by death unless the king extends his golden scepter. The king receives her, Esther reveals Haman's plot, and Haman is hanged on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. The Jews, who had been marked for destruction, are instead granted the right to defend themselves, and they prevail against their enemies on the 13th of Adar. The festival of Purim is celebrated on the 14th of Adar (the day after the victory in most of the empire), or on the 15th of Adar in walled cities like Jerusalem (Shushan Purim). The name "Purim" means "lots" in Hebrew, referring to the lots (pur) that Haman cast to determine the date of the Jews' destruction. The festival's central theme is the reversal of fortune — the planned destruction becomes a victory, the victims become the victors, and Haman's plot against the Jews becomes his own downfall. The story is also notable for being one of only two books in the Hebrew Bible (the other being the Song of Songs) that does not explicitly mention God — God's hand is hidden in the events, working through human agency.

How Purim Is Celebrated

Purim is celebrated with a carnivalesque atmosphere that is unique in the Jewish calendar. The central commandments of the festival are four: to hear the reading of the Book of Esther (megillah) twice — once on the eve of Purim and once on the morning of Purim; to send portions of food (mishloach manot) to friends; to give gifts to the poor (matanot la'evyonim); and to feast (seudat Purim). The reading of the megillah is the most raucous part of the festival — every time Haman's name is mentioned, the congregation drowns it out with noisemakers (groggers), boos, and stomping feet. Children (and many adults) dress up in costumes — traditionally as characters from the Esther story (Esther, Mordecai, Ahasuerus, Haman), but today as anything from superheroes to animals to political figures. The festive meal (seudat Purim) is held on the day of Purim, traditionally in the late afternoon. The meal features wine — the Talmud states that one should drink on Purim until one cannot tell the difference between "cursed be Haman" and "blessed be Mordecai." While the rabbinic interpretation of how much to drink varies (most modern authorities do not advocate actual drunkenness), wine and other alcoholic beverages are central to the meal. The most iconic Purim food is hamantaschen ("Haman's pockets" or "Haman's ears" in Yiddish) — triangular pastries filled with poppy seeds, prunes, apricots, or other sweet fillings. The three corners are said to represent Haman's three-cornered hat, or (in some traditions) the three patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Mishloach manot — the sending of food portions to friends — is a central Purim tradition. Families prepare small packages containing at least two types of ready-to-eat food, and deliver them to friends, neighbors, and family members. The packages often include hamantaschen, wine, fruit, candy, and other treats. Many communities organize mishloach manot exchanges, with families sending packages to dozens of friends. The tradition fosters community bonds and ensures that everyone has food for the festive meal. Charity is also central to Purim — the obligation to give to the poor is taken seriously, and many communities organize food drives and charity collections as part of the festival. Why Does Purim Move Every Year? Purim is fixed on the 14th of Adar in the Hebrew lunisolar calendar. The Hebrew calendar includes a leap month (Adar II) seven times in 19 years, and in those leap years, Purim falls in Adar II (the second Adar), pushing the festival about a month later in the Gregorian calendar. The 14th of Adar is the day after the victory described in the Book of Esther; the 15th of Adar (Shushan Purim) is the day after the victory in walled cities like Shushan, where the fighting continued for an extra day. The earliest Purim can fall is mid-February; the latest is mid-March.

Calendar Calculation

14 Adar (15 Adar in walled cities like Jerusalem — 'Shushan Purim'), Hebrew lunisolar calendar; in leap years, observed in Adar II

Did You Know? Purim Facts & Trivia

Purim commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from a plot to destroy them in the ancient Persian Empire, as told in the biblical Book of Esther. The name "Purim" means "lots" in Hebrew, referring to the lots (pur) that the villain Haman cast to determine the date of the Jews' destruction. The reading of the megillah (Book of Esther) is the most raucous part of the festival — every time Haman's name is mentioned, the congregation drowns it out with noisemakers (groggers), boos, and stomping feet. Children (and many adults) dress up in costumes — traditionally as characters from the Esther story, but today as anything from superheroes to political figures. Hamantaschen ("Haman's pockets" or "Haman's ears") — triangular pastries filled with poppy seeds, prunes, apricots, or other sweet fillings — are the most iconic Purim food. The three corners are said to represent Haman's three-cornered hat, or (in some traditions) the three patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Purim is one of the few Jewish holidays that has a different date in different cities — the 14th of Adar in most places, the 15th (Shushan Purim) in Jerusalem and other ancient walled cities. A Jewish visitor to Jerusalem on Purim will celebrate a day later than they would at home.