The holiday of Purim is just around the corner and its time to dust off your costume and get ready to nosh on hamantaschen. We’ve put together a list of all the Purim carnivals, megillah readings, and Purim spiels near you to celebrate this fun-filled, family-friendly holiday.
Need a quick refresh on the Purim story? We’ve got you covered. While some of us are firmly in the DIY camp, we’ve also got the 9 Best Purim Costumes You Can Buy on Amazon Right Now and 6 children’s books that tell the Purim story without delving into some of the more R-rated parts.
Purim 2019 begins at sundown on Wednesday evening, March 20 and continues until sundown on Thursday, March 21.
Pre-Purim Fun
Intergenerational pre-Purim fun including a family costume contest, Purim-themed photo both, hamantaschen decorating, Israeli dancing, and preparing mishloach manot.
Highland Park Conservative Temple-Congregation Anshe Emeth, 201 South 3rd Ave, Highland Park
Sunday, March 10, 10:00 a.m. – 1 p.m.
My Jewish Journey
Learn about Purim through art, music, cooking, storytelling, games, and activities for preschool-aged children and their families.
Neve Shalom Nursery School, 250 Grove Ave, Metuchen
Sunday, March 10, 11 a.m. – Noon
Purim Carnival
Purim fun for the whole family with games. Crafts, face painting, bounce house, food, and prizes. Early entry available from 10 – 11 a.m. for individuals with special needs.
Temple Shaari Emeth, 400 Craig Rd, Manalapan
Sunday, March 10, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
When I Grow Up: With Jordan the Cartoonist 
“Meet Jordan B. “Gorf” Gorfinkel, veteran editor of Batman comics and learn how to draw your own comics about Jewish stories and values. No drawing skills required, just a sense of humor. Best for children ages 8 – 11 and their parents.
Young Israel of East Brunswick, 193 Dunhams Corner Rd, East Brunswick
Sunday, March 10, 3 – 4:30 p.m.
Women’s Circle Hamantaschen Event
Bake hamantaschen for community food baskets to be distributed to seniors and bring some home to enjoy.
Center for Jewish Life, 176 Rt. 79 North, Marlboro
Wednesday, March 13, 7 – 9 p.m.
Purim Tot Shabbat
A brief, child-friendly Purim service for families with young children up to 2nd grade with songs, snacks, and groggers. Costumes encouraged.
Temple Shaari Emeth, 400 Craig Rd, Manalapan
Friday. March 15, 5 – 5:30 p.m.
Temple Rodeph Torah’s Tot Shabbat: Purim Palooza
A Shabbat morning service for toddlers and their families to celebrate Shabbat and Purim with songs, crafts, and fun.
Temple Rodeph Torah, 15 Mohawk Dr, Marlboro
Saturday, March 16, 9:15 – 10 a.m.
Purim Extravaganza at Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple
Purim fun just for the grown-ups with a wine tasting, dinner, an original Purim spiel, dessert reception, DJ, and karaoke. Advance registration requested.
Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple, 222 Livingston Ave
Saturday, March 16, 5:30 – 11 p.m.
Hamantaschen Baking for Purim
Bake hamantaschen and assemble mishloach manot for Purim
Temple Beth El of Somerset, 1489 Hamilton St, Somerset
Sunday, March 17, 9:30 – 11 a.m.
Congregation B’nai Tikvah Purim Carnival
Classic carnival games, bounce house, prizes, and holiday treats. Fun for all ages!
Congregation B’nai Tikvah, 1001 Finnegans Lane, North Brunswick
Sunday, March 17, 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
TriSynagogue PurimFest at East Brunswick Jewish Center
Celebrate Purim with race cars, inflatables, video games, face painting, balloon art, and more. Sponsored by the East Brunswick Jewish Center, Temple B’nai Shalom and Young Israel of East Brunswick.
East Brunswick Jewish Center, 511 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick
Sunday. March 17, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Marlboro Jewish Center Purim Carnival
Games, food, and fun for all ages!
Marlboro Jewish Center, 46 Topanemus Rd, Marlboro
Sunday, March 17, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Purim Extravaganza at Congregation Torat El
Family megillah reading followed by dinner and a Purim carnival with a video game truck, DJ, inflatables, and prizes. Free and open to all!
Congregation Torat El, 301 Monmouth Rd, Oakhurst
Wednesday, March 20, 5 – 7:30 p.m.
Purim Dinner & Magic Show
Pizza dinner and magic show followed by megillah reading, costume parade, and sing-a-long.
Cong. Neve Shalom, 250 Grove Ave, Metuchen
Wednesday, March 20, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Marlboro Jewish Center Purim in PJ’s
Come in your PJ’s for a family-friendly Purim service followed by a full megillah reading.
Marlboro Jewish Center, 46 Topanemus Rd, Marlboro
Wednesday, March 20, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Congregation B’nai Tikvah Megillah Reading
Megillah reading followed by highlights from the Purim spiel.
Congregation B’nai Tikvah, 1001 Finnegans Lane, North Brunswick
Wednesday, March 20, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Temple Shaari Emeth Purim Family Service
Purim fun with megillah reading, songs, and costumes.
Temple Shaari Emeth, 400 Craig Rd, Manalapan
Wednesday, March 20, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
“The Rat in the Hat” Purim Spiel & Megillah Reading
Celebrate Purim with a costume parade, trivia contest, sing-a-long, and Dr. Suess-themed Purim spiel followed by a multigenerational megillah reading followed by ice cream and an open bar.
Temple Beth Ahm of Aberdeen, 550 Lloyd Rd., Aberdeen
Wednesday, March 20, 7 – 9:30 p.m.
Megillah Reading and Purim Celebration
Come in costume for megillah reading, hamantaschen, and holiday fun.
Temple Beth El of Somerset, 1489 Hamilton St, Somerset
Wednesday, March 20, 7 – 9 p.m.
Purim In “Israel”
Purim fun for all ages with a catered Israeli-style dinner, wine tasting, magic show, costumes, megillah reading, and a Western Wall photo booth.
Center for Jewish Life, 176 Rt 79 North, Marlboro
Wednesday, March 20, 7 – 9:30 p.m.
Temple Rodeph Torah’s Purim Service & Spiel
Come in costume for megillah reading and “Megillah Around the Clock” Purim spiel.
Temple Rodeph Torah, 15 Mohawk Dr, Marlboro
Wednesday, March 20, 7 – 9 p.m.
Purim Service and Pirate Purim Spiel
Purim holiday service and pirate-themed Purim spiel.
Temple Emanu-El, 100 James St, Edison
Wednesday, March 20, 7 – 9 p.m.
Traditional Megillah Reading at Congregation Torat El
Congregation Torat El, 301 Monmouth Rd, Oakhurst
Wednesday, March 20, 7 – 8:15 p.m.
PURIMANIA 2019
User-friendly megillah reading, reptile show, and buffet dinner.
Middlesex Torah Links, 261 Dunhams Corner Rd, Morganville
Wednesday, March 20, 7:45 – 9:45 p.m.
Congregation Ohav Emeth Purim Carnival
Megillah reading followed by Purim carnival with live music. Dance Dance Revolution, giant games, food, and fun for all ages.
Congregation Ohav Emeth, 415 Raritan Ave, Highland Park
Wednesday. March 20, 8:15 – 10:15 p.m.
“The Whole Megillah” Reading of Megillat Esther: Night & Morning
Purim services and megillah reading
Temple Beth Ahm of Aberdeen, 550 Lloyd Rd, Aberdeen
Wednesday, March 20, 7 p.m.
Thursday, March 21, 8 a.m.
Megillah Reading
Morning services followed by megillah reading.
Center for Jewish Life, 176 Rt. 79 North, Marlboro
Thursday, March 21, 8:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Chabad of the Shore’s Purim in NY
Come in costume for a multimedia megillah reading, game show, photo booth, virtual roller coaster, and a New York-style deli dinner.
Ocean Place Resort and Spa, 1 Ocean Blvd, Long Branch
Thursday, March 21, 5:30 p.m.
Purim Carnival at the Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County
Holiday fun for all ages with a live reptile show, inflatable bounce house, face painting, prizes, hamantaschen, and raffles. The carnival is co-sponsored by The JCC, Congregation Neve Shalom, Congregation Beth Mordecai and The Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ
The Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County, 1775 Oak Tree Rd, Edison
Sunday, March 24, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Purim Carnival
Mini Purim service and song session followed by a Purim carnival.
Temple Emanu-El, 100 James St, Edison
Sunday, March 24, 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Purim Carnival 2019 @ Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple
Inflatables, crafts, lunch, and snacks.
Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple, 222 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick
Sunday, March 24, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Star Wars Purim Spiel and Carnival at Temple Beth Miriam
Star Wars-themed Purim spiel and sing-a-long followed by the Purim carnival.
Temple Beth Miriam,180 Lincoln Ave, Elberon
Sunday, March 24, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Purim Carnival & Gift Auction
Food, cotton candy, snow cones, face painting, a haman pinata, and a scavenger hunt.
Congregation B’nai Israel, 171 Ridge Rd, Rumson
Sunday, March 24, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Temple Rodeph Torah Grand Purim Carnival
Come in costume for games, prizes, music, inflatables, and fun.
Temple Rodeph Torah, 15 Mohawk Dr, Marlboro
Sunday, March 24, Noon – 2 p.m.
Purim Carnival at Temple Beth Ahm
Games, prizes, holiday treats and fun for ages 2 to 102.
Temple Beth Ahm, 550 Lloyd Rd, Aberdeen
Sunday, March 24, Noon – 2:30 p.m.
Brought to you in partnership with the Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey
