Dress up in a crazy costume and grab a grogger: It’s time to celebrate Purim! Congregations and organizations across the region are hosting festivities, from family-friendly gatherings to adults-only events. Enjoy Purim carnivals, costume parades, dance parties, hamantaschen workshops and more. Did we miss any? Let us know at [email protected].
Ongoing
JFCS Purim Food Drive — Jewish Family and Children’s Services food bank is collecting donations of nonperishable items including soup, peanut butter, jam, macaroni and cheese, rice, cereal, oatmeal, granola bars, toothpaste, lotion, soap, paper towels and toilet paper. Drop off items at food bank locations: 2150 Post St., S.F.; 2001 Winward Way, No. 200, San Mateo; 200 Channing Ave., Palo Alto; 600 Fifth Ave., San Rafael. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
APJCC Scavenger Hunt — Purim-themed mini scavenger hunt. Pick up your list of items to find at the Traditions Cart in the main lobby. Through March 14. At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. Free.
Friday | March 7
Fun Friday Story Time — Preschool teacher Jessica and PJ Library present holiday story time, featuring “The Purim Superhero” by Elisabeth Kushner. Followed by a physical education activity. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 4:15-5:15 p.m. Free, RSVP required.
“Jr. Jews Purim Party” — Holiday celebration with stories, parade, pizza, crafts, dance party and hamantaschen. Costumes encouraged. Bring a box of mac-and-cheese to use as a grogger and then donate. At Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 5-5:45 p.m. Free.
Saturday | March 8
“A Special Purim Morning” — Purim Shabbat for families with kids 5 and under, with Purim-themed crafts, singing, dancing, snacks and more. Costumes welcome. Presented by Kitchen Playground and Jewish Baby Network. At SF Friends School, 250 Valencia St., S.F. 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Free.
Sunday | March 9
“Family Cooking: Hamantaschen for Purim” — Hands-on baking workshop for kids and parents to learn to bake hamantaschen from scratch. Led by Michelle Greenebaum from Together In The Kitchen. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 4-5 p.m. $44.52.
Contra Costa Family Hamantaschen Bake — Workshop to roll, shape and fill hamantaschen cookies for Purim. At Chabad of Contra Costa, 1671 Newell Ave., Walnut Creek. 4-5 p.m. $10 per baker.
SF Family Hamantash Bake — Workshop to roll, shape and fill hamantaschen. Presented by Chabad of the Neighborhood. At Jewish Engagement Center, 85 West Portal Ave., S.F. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. $18, registration required.
Purim Extravaganza — Jewish Baby Network event with singing, dancing, puppets, hamantaschen, holiday-themed snacks, costumes and a Purim goodie bag to take home. At Peninsula Sinai Congregation, 499 Boothbay Ave., Foster City. 3:30-5 p.m. $18 suggested donation.
“Purim ETZtravaganza” — Family-friendly Purim carnival with activities, pony rides and more. Kindergarteners and younger must be accompanied by adult. At Congregation Etz Chayim, 4161 Alma St., Palo Alto. 9:30 a.m. Free. Email [email protected]
Purim Carnival and Celebration — Family Megillah reading, holiday songs, costume parade, carnival games, crafts and more. At Congregation Beth Emek, 3400 Nevada Court, Pleasanton. 9:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free.
Contra Costa Purim Carnival — Holiday celebration with games, pony rides, face painting, a raffle, food, costume contest and more. Presented by Contra Costa JCC, Congregation B’nai Tikvah, Congregation B’nai Shalom, Congregation Beth Chaim, PJ Library, Contra Costa Jewish Day School, Midrasha and Shevet Egoz. At B’nai Shalom, 74 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $20 per child before March 7, $25 after; under 2, free.
East Bay Purim Carnival — Holiday celebration with carnival games, crafts, face painting, hamantaschen, mishloach manot, Purimspiel, costumes and talent show. At JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 2-5 p.m. $36 per family.
Purim Party in the Park — PJ Library, Tkiya and Jewish Gateways present sensory-friendly, outdoor Purim celebration for families with young children featuring music, snacks, books, crafts and more. Costumes encouraged. At Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area, 6531 San Pablo Dam Road, El Sobrante. 3-4:30 p.m. Free.
Tuesday | March 11
“Dressing the Part” — Purim workshop exploring how special garments and accessories shape our emotions in everyday and special moments. Part of the “Everyday Magic: Jewish Wisdom and Global Practices for Daily Life” series. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 9-10:30 a.m. $18.
ENGAJ Purim Happy Hour — Social gathering for Jews in their 20s and 30s with mishloach manot. At Sports Page, 1431 Plymouth St., Mountain View. 7 p.m. $7, includes one drink and snacks.
Thursday | March 13
Family Purim — Holiday celebration for families with kids featuring a Purimspiel puppet show for ages 6 and under and themed scavenger hunt for ages 6-10. Costumes encouraged. Presented by Urban Adamah, Chochmat HaLev, Wilderness Torah and Berkeley Moshav. At Urban Adamah, 1151 Sixth St., Berkeley. 5:30-6:30 p.m. $9-$36, sliding scale.
“Superhero Purim” — Megillah reading and spiel with hors d’oeuvres, drinks and schmoozing. Costumes encouraged. Livestream option. At Temple Beth Torah, 42000 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont. 6:30-8:30 p.m. $18 suggested donation.
Purim Megillah and Dance Party — Holiday celebration with Megillah reading, dance party, tea lounge, music by Shamati and more. Costumes encouraged. Presented by Urban Adamah, Chochmat HaLev, Wilderness Torah and Base Bay. At Urban Adamah, 1151 Sixth St., Berkeley. 7-10 p.m. $24-$72, sliding scale.
“The World Turned Upside Down” — Family-friendly Purim celebration with art activities, workshops, services, pizza dinner and hamantaschen tasting. Livestream option. At Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, 290 Dolores St., S.F. 5 p.m. $5 per person for dinner, registration required.
Purim Service and Megillah — Holiday festivities include “Wicked” themed-megillah reading and banquet dinner. At Congregation Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos. 6 p.m. $20-$36, registration required.
Friday | March 14
“Purim in Israel” — Holiday celebration for families featuring live Israeli music, Israeli style food, selfies at the “Western Wall,” kids activities and Megillah reading. At the Lent Chabad Center in San Mateo, RSVP for full address. 5:30-6:30 p.m. $5-$10.
Grand Purim Party — Megillah reading, kids show, dinner and dancing. At Joseph Weingarten Chabad Jewish Center, 2461 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa. 6:30 p.m. $25 per adult, $50 per family.
Purim Day Brunch — Holiday celebration with food, wine and Megillah reading. Presented by Chabad of the Neighborhood. At Levin Residence, 333 West Portal Ave., S.F. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free.
Purim Carnival and Shabbat Dinner — Holiday celebration with games, hamantaschen, challah braiding workshop, Megillah reading, Purim-themed activities and Shabbat dinner. Presented by Chabad of the Neighborhood. At Jewish Engagement Center, 85 West Portal Ave., S.F. 5:45-7:45 p.m. $0-$54, sliding scale.
“The Scroll of Esther” — Megillah reading by Yavneh Day School’s staff and community rabbis. Bring groggers. At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 10:30 a.m. Free.
“Pi Day Fri-J” — Family-friendly Purim and Pi Day celebration with sweet treats. At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 1-3 p.m. Free.
“Pumped Up Purim” — Holiday celebration with pony rides, petting zoo, carnival booths, inflatables, Israeli music, Hebrew and English puppet show, popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones and more. At South Peninsula Hebrew Day School, 1030 Astoria Drive, Sunnyvale. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Free.
Kids Purim Spiel — Shir Hadash Preschool and K-6th graders from the Kulanu youth learning program perform a short and kid-friendly Purim spiel. At Congregation Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos. 5 p.m. Free, registration required.
Sunday | March 16
“Purim with a Twist” — Holiday party with creative costumes, humorous retelling of the Megillah, hamantaschen making and a potluck lunch. Presented by Tri-Valley Cultural Jews. At Livermore location provided with registration. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Free for members; suggested $15 donation for nonmembers. RSVP at [email protected]
Bernal Heights Purim Carnival — Family-friendly holiday celebration with carnival games, activities, songs, storytelling, mishloach manot-making and costume parade. Presented by Or Shalom Jewish Community. At Bernal Heights Playground, 500 Moultrie St., S.F. 10-12 p.m. Free.
Community Purim Carnival — PJ Library and Temple Beth Abraham present holiday celebration with bounce house, face painting, balloon twisting, Purim crafts, hamantaschen decorating, DJ, dance floor, games, prizes and adult beverages. Bring a costume. At Temple Beth Abraham, 327 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. 2-5 p.m.
Purim Palooza — Holiday extravaganza with hamantaschen, games, mishloach manot, costumes, live music, crafts, holiday activities, adults-only learning and “Wicked”-themed Purimspiel. Presented by JCCSF, Congregation Emanu-El, King Knish, Melita and Friends, PJ Library, Repair the World and others. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free.
Shir Hadash Purim Carnival — Holiday celebration with games, activities, prizes, food and more. At Congregation Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos. 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Free to attend, tickets for carnival games and food $1 each.
Temple Sinai Purim Carnival — Holiday celebration with megillah reading, Wicked-themed spiel, carnival games, bounce house, activities, lunch and more. At Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. $6-$20.