Purim is just around the corner (or perhaps three corners). The holiday starts at sundown March 2, but there’s no reason to postpone the party. Pull out your costume and check out the festivities hosted by congregations and communities in every corner of the Bay Area. There’s something for everyone, from family-friendly carnivals to hamantaschen baking to adults-only soirees.
Did we miss any? Let us know at [email protected].
Tuesday | February 24
Making Hamantaschen with Moishe House Marina — Hands-on baking workshop for young adults — make Purim cookies to donate to Jewish Family and Children’s Services clients in need. Suggested donation $18-$36 to support JFCS food bank. S.F. location given with registration. 6-8 p.m.
Friday | February 27
“Sea You There” — Ocean-themed Purim party for the Israeli community organized by the Israeli Cultural Connection. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 8:30-11:45 p.m. $55.
“Purim Spiel: Pulse, Pulse, Glitch!” — Chochmat HaLev and performance troupe Well of Wills present a “divine dystopian comedy” reimagining of the Book of Esther. At 2215 Prince St., Berkeley. 8:30-10 p.m. Also Feb. 28 and March 1, 7:30-9 p.m. $39-$95.
Purim Shabbat — Congregation Sherith Israel celebration features Elton John singalong spiel, Shabbat service, and 175th anniversary party with games, treats and libations. Come in costume. At 2266 California St., S.F. 6-7:15 p.m. Free.
Sunday | March 1
Queen Esther’s Banquet—Congregation Beth Israel’s Sisterhood invites women to their celebration subtitled “Return to Shushan” with food, music by the Qadim Ensemble and dancing. At 1630 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. 7 p.m. $65.
Purim Carnival—Congregation Beth David’s celebration featuring bounce house, treats, arts and crafts, games with prizes. At 19700 Prospect Road, Saratoga. 10:15 a.m. Free.
“Working with Illusion”—Bring a mat, water, a pen and journal to this yoga workshop subtitled “Kundalini Yoga, Astrology & the Magic of Purim.” At Urban Adamah, 1151 Sixth St., Berkeley. 3-5 p.m. $36-$54, sliding scale.
Purim Carnival: “Under the Sea”—Come in costume to JCC East Bay’s festival featuring face painting, carnival games, treats, mishloach manot and kid-run spiel. In partnership with Camp Tawonga and Maccabi Sports. At 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 2-4:30 p.m. $40 family ticket, $12.50 additional adult.
Family Purim Carnival — Families are invited to come in costume to play games, make mishloach manot (gift bags) for local neighbors and march in a costume parade down Cortland Avenue. Presented by Or Shalom Jewish Community. At Bernal Heights Playground, 500 Cortland Ave., S.F. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Free.
Tri-Valley Cultural Jews Purim Celebration — Come in costume for a party featuring hamantaschen making, face painting and games, plus potluck (bring a dish to share). Livermore address provided with registration. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Members free, nonmembers $15 donation. RSVP via email [email protected] or call (925) 399-8029.
“Purim ETZtravaganza” — Congregation Etz Chayim’s family carnival features pony rides, carnival games and Shushan bakery. At 4161 Alma St., Palo Alto. 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Free.
Monday | March 2
“Stand Up For Purim!”—Adults-only celebration with comedy open mic, hamantaschen bake-off, whiskey taste-test. RSVP to participate in these activities, or simply show up. At Congregation Beth David, 19700 Prospect Road, Saratoga. 8:45 p.m. Free.
Family Purim Puppet Show—Urban Adamah invites families with children up to age 6 to a kid-friendly retelling of the Purim story by puppeteer Jen Miriam Altman. At 1151 Sixth St., Berkeley. 5-6:30 p.m. $8-$36, sliding scale.
Purim Celebration — Or Shalom’s community event features Mediterranean dinner, arts and crafts, games, costume contest, Megillah retelling, klezmer music and dancing. At St. Aidan’s, 101 Gold Mine Drive, S.F. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Suggested donation for dinner $5-$54.
“Pink Purim Club” — Congregation Beth Sholom’s annual Purim carnival and fundraiser with a “Pink Pony Club” theme of celebrating identity and self-expression. Fundraiser benefits Beth Sholom’s preschool scholarship fund. Admission is one item for a JFCS food drive. At 301 14th Ave., S.F. 5:30-9 p.m. $42-$126.
Magic Purim Party — Family-friendly celebration with Megillah reading, dinner, face painting, masquerade, magic show. Open bar for adults. At Chabad of the Neighborhood, 85 West Portal Ave., S.F. 5:30 p.m. Free.
Family Fun Purim Carnival and Megillah Extravaganza — Chochmat HaLev invites families to celebrate with carnival games, dinner, raffle and Megillah reading. At 2215 Prince St., Berkeley. 5:30-7:30 p.m. $18-$180.
“Etz Purim Spiel: Aladdin” — Congregation Etz Chayim’s sing-along spiel to Aladdin music with dinner, dance party, drinks, youth pop-up band, hamantaschen. At 4161 Alma St., Palo Alto. 6-9 p.m. Free.
Tuesday | March 3
“Purim in the Shtetl” — Chabad of the North Peninsula celebrates Purim with klezmer music, shtetl-themed fun, a buffet dinner and Megillah reading. At 115 Monte Diablo Ave., San Mateo. 5-7 p.m. $5-$15.
Purim in the Circus — Chabad of Novato’s Purim celebration features the “Tricks to Happiness” circus show, Megillah reading, hamantaschen and kids’ activities. At 695 De Long Ave., Novato. 5 p.m. Register by Feb. 22 for early pricing, adults $18, kids $10.
Make Your Own Hamantash — Hands-on cooking class for Purim. At Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 5:30-7 p.m. $25-$35.
Purim Happy Hour — Chabad of the Neighborhood celebrates with live guitar music by Asaf Ophir, Megillah reading, cocktail bar and a “schnitzel meat board.” At 85 West Portal Ave., S.F. 4-7 p.m. Free.
Tropical Purim — Chabad Jewish Center of Petaluma presents Hawaiian-themed celebration with mechanical surfboard, bubble show, poke bowls, snow cones, pina colada mocktails, Megillah reading illustrated by sand artist. At Hotel Petaluma, 205 Kentucky St., Petaluma. 5 p.m. Adults $15, children $10.
Purim by the Sea — Jewish Solano’s seaside-inspired Purim features live aquarium display, mocktails, food, Megillah reading. Come in costume. At 770 East Main St., Vacaville. 4:30 p.m. Free.
Wednesday | March 4
Vashti’s Cabaret — Purim party with girl-power theme hosted by Ladino singer-songwriter Nani Vazana, who won the 2024 Liet International music competition for minority languages. Presented by Jewish Silicon Valley and JIMENA. Ages 21+. At 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. 8-9:30 p.m. Register by March 1 for early pricing, $36, includes two glasses of wine.
Saturday | March 7
Purim Night Out — Sha’ar Zahav’s young adult group (20s-30s) celebration in costume with cocktails, nosh, Megillah, mingling. At Skylark Bar, 3089 16th St., S.F. 6-9 p.m. Free, RSVP required.
Sunday | March 8
Purim Party and Parade — Celebration for families with children from babies to age 5 with costume parade, decorating mishloach manot (gift bags), music, puppets. Bring a can of food to contribute to a food drive. Presented by Jewish Baby Network and Kehilla Community Synagogue. At Dracena Quarry Park, 130 Dracena Ave., Piedmont. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Free.
Purim Palooza with Jewish Baby Network — Families with kids from babies to age 5 are invited to celebrate at Peninsula Temple Sholom with a costume parade, hamantaschen and goodie bags. At 1655 Sebastian Drive, Burlingame. 3:30-5 p.m. Free.