Jewish CalendarPurim
The feast of Esther, 14 Adar
Purim remembers how Queen Esther and her cousin Mordecai saved the Jews of Persia from a plot of the minister Haman, as told in the Book of Esther. It falls on the fourteenth of Adar (Adar II in a leap year), in February or March. The Megillah (scroll of Esther) is read aloud and people make noise at the name of Haman; there are festive meals, gifts of food to friends, gifts to the poor and costumes. The fast of Esther comes the day before.
Hamantaschen, triangular filled pastries, are the traditional treat.
Dates for the next ten years
| Year | Date (begins at sundown the evening before) |
|---|---|
| 2027 | Tuesday 23 March 2027 |
| 2028 | Sunday 12 March 2028 |
| 2029 | Thursday 1 March 2029 |
| 2030 | Tuesday 19 March 2030 |
| 2031 | Sunday 9 March 2031 |
| 2032 | Thursday 26 February 2032 |
| 2033 | Tuesday 15 March 2033 |
| 2034 | Sunday 5 March 2034 |
| 2035 | Sunday 25 March 2035 |
| 2036 | Thursday 13 March 2036 |
Questions people ask
When is Purim?
The feast of Esther, 14 Adar. See the table for each year.
What is the greeting?
Hamantaschen, triangular filled pastries, are the traditional treat.
Jewish holidays begin at sundown on the evening before the date shown. Dates follow the standard Hebrew calendar; communities outside Israel keep a second day of several festivals. Customs differ between Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and other communities, and this is not a ruling: ask your rabbi.