(New York Jewish Week) – Purim begins on the evening of Saturday, March 23, and Jews across New York City aren’t wasting the opportunity to party all weekend long.
The festive holiday celebrates the triumph of the Jewish people in the Persian city of Shushan over Haman, the King Ahasuerus’ evil advisor who had made a decree to kill them. To honor the day, Jewish communities worldwide read the megillah, the Scroll of Esther, that tells the story of Purim, as well as give mishloach manot (care packages) to loved ones, dress up in costume, drink booze and eat triangle-shaped cookies called hamantaschen.
Looking to get your Purim on? Keep reading for the New York Jewish Week’s guide to how to celebrate the holiday in NYC this year — from DJ sets on a rooftop bar to family-friendly parties to traditional and not-so-traditional Purim spiels (or plays).
Is your synagogue or Jewish organization hosting a Purim event open to the public? Send an email to jgergely@jewishweek.org with the details if you’d like us to add it to our list!
This story is part of JTA's coverage of New York through the New York Jewish Week. To read more stories like this, sign up for our daily New York newsletter here.
Guests at The Altneu Synagogue’s 2023 Purim party, “Purim on Park.” (Elie Weintraub)
Friday, March 22
Purim Shabbat at Congregation Beth Elohim
Join Brooklyn’s Congregation Beth Elohim (274 Garfield Place) for a Purim Tisch (or pre-celebration) on Friday, March 22, at 8:00 p.m. The celebration for guests 21+ includes kabbalat Shabbat services, a Purim spiel, signature Purim cocktails, food, dancing and more. Tickets are $36 each, register here.
Saturday, March 23
Purim at Temple Emanu-El
Join the Streicker Center and Temple Emanu-El (10 E. 66th St.) on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. for a Mardi Gras Masquerade Purim Party featuring a megillah reading, a live jazz trio and New Orleans-themed food and cocktails. Costumes encouraged, free and open to the public. Register here.
The Sway Machinery Purim Spectacle
Renowned Brooklyn Musician Jeremiah Lockwood and his band The Sway Machinery are performing a “Purim Spectacle” concert and “theatrical experience” at Shapeshifter Lab (837 Union Street) on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 — or $15 at the door in costumes. Find more information here.
Purim Around the World: Megillah in Astoria
Join Ashreynu in Astoria (21-14 30th Avenue) on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. for “Purim Around the World,” including a potluck dinner, skits, singing and a drinking game for adults. Suggested donation is $18, sign up here.
“Shushan! The Musical” at 92NY
Join 92NY (1395 Lexington Ave.) for a musical retelling of the Purim story through “Shushan! The Musical” from director, writer and composer Jake Friedman. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. and tickets start at $30, which include one drink ticket for 21+. Find more information and get tickets here.
Purim Eve with Kehillat Harlem
Join Kehillat Harlem (120th St. and Lenox Avenue) for their annual Purim Megillah reading and party on Saturday at 7:45 p.m. The party includes costumes, food, drinks and a Purim spiel. A $54 donation is encouraged but not required, RSVP here.
Shushan Night Live! At B’nai Jeshurun
On Saturday at 8:00 p.m., Bnai Jeshurun (257 W. 88th St.) hosts “Shushan Night Live!, a Saturday Night Live themed Purim spiel by comedy duo Yidlife Crisis. There will also be a performance by BJ’s teen band Goldberg. The free, public event will also be livestreamed. Find more information here.
“We Shall Dance Again” with the Altneu
On Saturday night, join the Altneu, an Upper East Side Orthodox congregation, for “We Shall Dance Again,” in honor of survivors and victims of Nova festival massacre on Oct. 7. Starting at 8:15 p.m. at the Kaye Playhouse (695 Park Ave.), the event includes an evening service, a megillah reading, a concert from former pop star Alex Clare and Matt Dubb and a reception to follow. Tickets start at $120 for non-members and $25 for members.
Megillah Across Brooklyn
On Saturday, March 23, CBE (274 Garfield Place) will host Megillah Across Brooklyn — a free megillah reading starting at 8:15 p.m., followed by a 21+ Purim party with “drinks, nosh, music, and dancing.” Tickets for the afterparty start at $36. Find more information here.
A pile of noisemakers (graggers) at The Altneu Synagogue’s 2023 Purim party “Purim on Park.” (Elie Weintraub)
NYC Megillah Madness with Ramah, JTS and USY alumni
Join Ramah, USY and JTS alumni for a Purim party at Park Avenue Synagogue (50 E. 87th St.) on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. The party includes a megillah reading, hamantaschen, drinks, music and tickets are $10, RSVP here.
PURIMMESSTHER with Lab/Shul + FLAMINGGG
Looking for a Queer Purim experience? Join Flaminggg and Lab/Shul at Brooklyn club 3 Dollar Bill (260 Meserole St.) for a “chaotic cabaret” Purim spiel followed by DJs and dancing until 4:00 a.m. All are welcome and the dress code is “hot mess vibes.” Doors at 10:00 p.m.; tickets start at $30 and 10% of sales will be donated to the Israel-Palestinian peace organization Standing Together. Get tickets here.
JQY’s Vashti Ball
Jewish Queer Youth is back with their annual Vashti Ball, this year at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan (334 Amsterdam Ave.). The event includes a community megillah reading at 9:00 p.m., with the party starting at 10:00 p.m. Enjoy a Persian feast, costume contest, drag show and an open bar for 21+. Tickets are $40 online or $50 at the door, register here.
Purim Festival, Gaia Nomaya NYC
Head out to Gaia NoMaya (510 Flatbush Avenue) in Brooklyn for an all-night-long Chabad Purim party designed for young professionals. Themed “Purim Festival,” in honor of the Nova Festival, activities begin at 9:00 p.m. and include a cash bar, DJs, dancing, a salt cave meditation room, a kumzitz musical room, a kosher food truck and more. Special appearances by Levi Okunov, Old Jewish Men and Kosha Dillz. Tickets start at $54, find more information here.
Shalvata NYC Purim Party
Get ready to recreate Tel Aviv’s hottest club at the Shalvata NYC Purim Party hosted by Matzoball and JVibe. Starting on Saturday night at 10:00 p.m. at the Harbor NYC Rooftop (621 W. 46th St.), the party will be DJed by Shlomi Shanti and is 21+ only. Tickets start at $30, costumes encouraged.
Chabad Young Professionals
Chabad Young Professionals has numerous parties and events on Saturday and Sunday across the city, from a Purim Masquerade Ball at The Bogart House in Williamsburg (230 Bogart Street) to a Glow-in-the-Dark party in FiDi to a Willy Wonka themed party for Jews in tech. Find all the options and more details at their website.
Sunday, March 24
Neu Neu Young Kids Purim Party at the Altneu House
Celebrate Purim with kids ages 0-7 at the Altneu House (24 W. 57th St.) on Sunday, at 10:00 a.m. The Neu Neu Young Kids Purim Party includes a music class, bubble show and costume parade. Tickets are $54 per family for non-members, and $36 for members.
Purim Palooza at Congregation Rodeph Sholom
The Upper West Side congregation Rodeph Sholom (7 W. 83rd St.) has a full day of free, public Purim activities planned for Sunday starting at 10:00 a.m. In the morning, adults can engage in a text study of Megillat Esther, young families can partake in a Toy Story-themed Purim celebration and young professionals can come together for a boozy brunch. Opportunities for all ages extend throughout the day, take a look at the schedule here.
Spring Equinox Festival at the Museum of Jewish Heritage
Purim this year falls close to Nowruz, the Persian New Year, which is celebrated on the Spring Equinox. Join the Museum of Jewish Heritage (36 Battery Pl.) for a full day celebration of all three events featuring Persian music, food and games on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. The day will include a Purim spiel, Persian tea house, DJ set, the launch party for “The Nightingale of Iran” podcast and more. Free with a $10 suggested donation; find the full schedule here.
The Whole Megillah: A live, explanatory reading and service with My Jewish Learning
Join My Jewish Learning and Rabbi Moisher Steigmann for a virtual megillah reading on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Steigmann will read ten chapters from the Book of Esther and give a detailed explanation of the story and its resonance with Jews today. Register for the free livestream here.
PurimPalooza! A Family Purim Celebration with the Workers Circle
Aimed for families with children ages 13 and under, The Workers Circle is hosting a Purim carnival on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. at the Manny Cantor Center (197 E. Broadway). Activities include live klezmer music, hamantaschen-baking, arts and crafts and other games. The free event is open to the public, register here.
Klezmer Brunch Revival: Purim Edition with Pharaoh’s Daughter
On Sunday at 12:00 p.m., head to the pinkFROG cafe in Williamsburg (221 N. 9th St.) for an all-ages klezmer brunch concert with “pan-Mediterranean psychedelic band” Pharaoh’s Daughter, hosted by The Neighborhood. Costumes encouraged, tickets are $20, register here.
Harlem Women-Led Megillah Reading and Seudah
Kehillat Harlem, Based in Harlem, and Harlem Moishe House will jointly host a multigenerational group of women for a megillah reading and seudah (feast) on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. at Kehillat Harlem (120th St. and Lenox Avenue). A $54 donation is encouraged but not required, RSVP here.
Big Top Purim with Emanu-El Downtown
Geared toward young families, join Emanu-El Downtown (429 W. 20th St.) on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. for a circus performance by ABCirque and a party to follow, including snacks, clowns, gifts and the Esther story. Tickets start at $20 per adult and $15 per child. Register here.
Kids’ Purim Party at Dagon
Head up to the Upper West Side for a Purim party at the Israeli restaurant Dagon (2454 Broadway). Kids can make hamantaschen and other crafts with head chef Aaron while parents have access to the dinner menu. The two slots are available from 4:00-4:30 p.m., and 4:30-5:00 p.m. and tickets cost $15 per person. Make your reservation on OpenTable here.
Purim Carnival at East Midwood Jewish Center
Families in Brooklyn will enjoy the annual Purim fest at East Midwood Jewish Center, a longstanding congregation currently celebrating its 100th anniversary. Kids will love the Purim crafts, bouncy castle, photo booth, carnival games, make-your-own hamantaschen station and more. The carnival runs from 3:00-5:00 p.m., and tickets cost $12 for individuals and $36 for families. Get tickets in advance here.
Lavender Purim with Lavender Laughs
On Sunday at 4:00 p.m. Nomie K. Baker is hosting a Purim variety and comedy show featuring Jewish comedians at Cool Beans! Coffee House in Woodside, Queens (50-20 39th Avenue). The show includes drag performances, a costume contest and hamantaschen. Tickets start at $7, find more information here.
Purim in the Shuk with Chabad of Midtown
Chabad of Midtown (509 Fifth Ave.) hosts Purim in the Shuk party on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. The party includes a falafel and shawarma Israeli dinner, “shuk delicacies,” a megillah reading, a DJ, bar and more. Tickets start at $50.
Post-Purim Events
Paul Shapiro’s Purim Shpil at the Museum of Eldridge Street
The Museum at Eldridge Street (12 Eldridge St.) hosts saxophonist, bandleader and composer Paul Shapiro for a musical comedy Purim spiel on Monday, March 25 at 6:00 p.m. Silly hats are encouraged, tickets start at $25.
The Jewish Museum’s 2024 Purim Ball After Party
On Tuesday, April 2, join the Jewish Museum’s Young Patrons for their after party following the museum’s annual Purim Ball at The Plaza Hotel (768 5th Avenue). The after party starts at 9:30 p.m. and includes a DJ, dancing, light bites, dessert and open bar; colorful attire suggested. Tickets start at $136 for Young Patron Museum members and $225 for non-members. Find more information here.
