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פּוּרִים
Purim 2026

Hebrew year 5786

The Festival of Lots

March 3, 2026

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Pick a city to see its kosher restaurants, caterers, and bakeries around Purim 2026, then order meals or book catering directly with them.

Purim is the most joyous and raucous holiday on the Jewish calendar, celebrating the miraculous salvation of the Jewish people of ancient Persia as recounted in the Megillah, the Book of Esther. When the wicked Haman plotted to destroy all the Jews, Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai outmaneuvered him, turning the tables in a dramatic reversal that Jews celebrate to this day. The holiday is anchored by four mitzvot: reading the Megillah twice (evening and morning), sending food gifts to friends (mishloach manot), giving charity to the poor (matanot l'evyonim), and enjoying a festive celebratory meal (seudah). Costumes and masks are worn by children and adults alike, groggers (noisemakers) drown out Haman's name whenever it's read, and the atmosphere is one of unbridled joy. The Talmudic instruction to celebrate 'ad d'lo yada' (until you cannot tell the difference) makes Purim uniquely exuberant in Jewish life.

Purim Traditions

How Jews observe Purim around the world.

Reading the Megillah (Book of Esther) twice: evening and morning

Wearing costumes and masks for children and adults

Mishloach manot: sending gifts of at least two ready-to-eat foods to friends

Matanot l'evyonim: giving charity to at least two poor people

Purim seudah: a festive afternoon meal with wine and celebration

Making noise with groggers (ra'ashanim) whenever Haman's name is read in the Megillah

Ad d'lo yada: celebrating with wine until one cannot tell the difference between 'cursed is Haman' and 'blessed is Mordechai'

Purim Torah and parodies: humorous Torah-themed skits, songs, and satire

Purim Food Guide

Traditional foods and where to find them.

Hamantaschen

Triangular pastries with a pinched three-cornered shape, filled with poppy seed (mohn), jam, chocolate, or Nutella. Named for Haman's triangular hat, they are the signature food of Purim.

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Mishloach Manot Baskets

Gift baskets of at least two ready-to-eat foods sent to friends on Purim. Hamantaschen, chocolates, dried fruits, wine, and baked goods are all popular inclusions.

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Purim Seudah Feast

A festive afternoon meal on Purim day, celebrated with family and friends. Wine is central: the Talmud commands drinking until 'ad d'lo yada.' A full holiday meal with meat and wine is traditional.

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Kreplach

Triangular meat-filled dumplings served in soup, traditionally eaten on Purim (as well as Yom Kippur eve and Hoshana Rabbah). The hidden filling mirrors the hidden miracles of the Purim story.

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Kashrut Notes for Purim

Purim is not a full Yom Tov: regular work is permitted on Purim day, unlike Passover or Rosh Hashanah
Wine is central to the Purim celebration. Use kosher-certified wine for the seudah
Mishloach manot food gifts should include kosher-certified items; recipients may have stricter standards
Hamantaschen from kosher bakeries are widely available in the weeks leading up to Purim
Watch for dairy vs. pareve hamantaschen if mixing with a meat meal
Matanot l'evyonim (charity to the poor) must be given on Purim day itself to fulfill the mitzvah

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Purim FAQs

Common questions about Purim 5786.

When is Purim 2026?

Purim 2026 begins at sundown on Monday, March 2, and is observed on Tuesday, March 3. The Megillah is read on the evening of March 2 and again the morning of March 3. In Jerusalem and walled cities, Shushan Purim is observed one day later on March 4.

What is the Megillah?

The Megillah refers to Megillat Esther, the Scroll of Esther, one of the five scrolls in the Hebrew Bible. It tells the story of Queen Esther, her cousin Mordechai, the wicked Haman who plotted to destroy the Jews of Persia, and their ultimate salvation through Esther's bravery. The Megillah is read aloud in synagogue on both the eve and morning of Purim, with the congregation noisily drowning out Haman's name each time it is read.

What are hamantaschen?

Hamantaschen are triangular filled pastries that are the signature food of Purim. The name means 'Haman's pockets' in Yiddish, and the three-cornered shape is said to represent the triangular hat worn by Haman. Traditional fillings include poppy seed (mohn), apricot or raspberry jam, prune (lekvar), and chocolate. Kosher bakeries stock them in abundance throughout the Purim season.

What is mishloach manot?

Mishloach manot ('sending of portions') is one of Purim's four mitzvot: the obligation to send gifts of at least two different ready-to-eat foods to at least one friend on Purim day. The foods should be of different blessings (e.g., a fruit and a baked good). It is a mitzvah that strengthens friendship and community, and elaborate themed gift baskets have become a beloved Purim tradition.

Why do we wear costumes on Purim?

Costumes on Purim reflect several themes: the hidden nature of the Purim miracle (God's name never appears in the Book of Esther, yet divine providence is evident throughout), Esther's hidden Jewish identity at the Persian court, and the joyous topsy-turvy nature of the day when everything is reversed. Dressing up also adds to the festive, carnival-like atmosphere that characterizes the holiday.