As far as Jewish holidays go, Purim just about has it all. A dramatic story with kings, queens and intrigue; costume parades; delicious three-cornered pastries and carnivals all add up to one of the most kid-friendly and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar. To celebrate, there are Purim parties, plays, and both traditional and more creative celebrations being planned all over Essex, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, and Union counties. So mark your calendars, get your costumes ready, and get ready to party!
Want to try your hand at making hamantaschen at home? Here’s a step-by-step graphic that will help you fold the perfect hamantaschen and a list of hamantaschen recipes with both sweet and savory fillings. And in case you are a bit short on time this year, we’ve also got the best hamantaschen hack ever.
Brought to you in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest New Jersey
Purim Carnival at the Union Y
Rides, games and inflatables. Fun for all ages. Buy tickets in advance and save 20%.
YM-YWHA of Union County, 501 Green Ln, Union
Sunday, February 18 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Family Hamantaschen Bake
Get in the Purim spirit by making your own hamantaschen. Fun for all ages. Sponsored by Chabad of Morris County. Register online.
JCC of Central NJ, 1391 Martine Ave, Scotch Plains
Thursday, February 22nd, 4 – 8 p.m.
Havdalah on Ice
Say goodbye to Shabbat and welcome the new week with Havdalah and ice skating along with other local families. Event is free — additional fee for ice skate rental (toddler size 8 and up). Best for ages 3 and up. Advance registration requested.
Clary Anderson Arena, 41 Chestnut St, Montclair
Saturday, February 24, 7:30 – 9:15 p.m.
Celebrate Purim with Gan Ktan
Learn about Purim through crafts, stories, songs, and snacks. Best for ages 1 – 3 years with a parent or caregiver. Registration requested but not required. Free and open to all. Walk-ins welcome.
Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy, 110 South Orange Ave, Livingston
Sunday, February 25, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Purim Torah Tots
Parents and children ages 3 – 5 years will learn about the holiday of Purim through songs, crafts, and stories. Free and open to all.
Temple Har Shalom, 104 Mount Horeb Rd, Warren
Sunday, February 25, 10 – 11 a.m.
Temple Emanu-El Purim Spiel and Carnival
Kid-friendly Purim spiel followed by a carnival with games, face painting, bounce house, costume contest, and prizes. Food will be available for purchase. $10/child in advance, $15 at the door.
Temple Emanu-El, 756 East Broad St, Westfield
Sunday, February 25, 10:15 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Agudath Israel Purim Carnival
Carnival games, inflatables, crafts, and more for ages 2 – 12 years. $20/per child in advance, $25 at the door.
Congregation Agudath Israel of West Essex, 20 Academy Rd, Caldwell
Sunday, February 25, 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Congregation Beth Israel Purim Carnival
Get excited for Purim with games, face painting, crafts, mitzvah projects, and an obstacle course.
Congregation Beth Israel, 18 Shalom Way, Scotch Plains
Sunday, February 25, 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Family Purim Celebration
Family-friendly Purim spiel, followed by lunch, hamantaschen baking, mitzvah projects, photo booth, and other holiday fun.
Morristown Jewish Center Beit Yisrael, 177 Speedwell Ave, Morristown
Sunday, February 25, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Purim Carnival
Purim family fun with games, inflatables, crafts, and treats. Open to all. $10/child
B’nai Keshet, 99 South Fullerton Ave, Montclair
Sunday, February 25, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Kosher Cooking for Kids
Learn about the upcoming holiday of Purim and cook some Purim treats. For ages 3 and up. RSVP requested.
B’nai Shalom, 300 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange
Sunday, February 25, 11 a.m. – Noon
Temple Beth-El Mekor Chayim Purim Carnival
Kids and adults alike will have fun with games, prizes, and treats.
Temple Beth El Mekor Chayim, 338 Walnut Ave, Cranford
Sunday, February 25, 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Beth El Purim Carnival
Celebrate Purim with games, crafts, bounce house and prizes, and explore summer camp options with representatives from six regional camps.
Congregation Beth El, 222 Irvington Ave, South Orange
Sunday, February 25, Noon – 2 p.m.
Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael Purim Carnival
Food, games, prizes, and fun. Buy tickets in advance or the door. Contact the synagogue office for more information.
Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael, 60 Temple Dr, Springfield
Sunday, February 25, Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Purim Carnival- Congregation B’nai Israel
Carnival games, prizes, food, and other fun for all ages. $5/pp
Congregation B’nai Israel, 40 Whitenack Rd, Basking Ridge
Sunday, February 25, Noon – 2 p.m.
Beth El Purim Celebration
Pizza and crafts followed by the congregational megillah reading.
Congregation Beth El, 222 Irvington Ave, South Orange
Wednesday, February 28, 6 – 8 p.m.
Chabad Grand Purim Party
Purim fun for all ages with Chabad at Short Hills. Megillah reading, sports party for kids, teen lounge, and mentalist/magician, dinner, hamantaschen, and more. Fun for all ages. Advance registration requested. $25/adult, $18/child.
Studio 355/Sports Universe, 355 Eisenhower Parkway, Livingston
Wednesday, February 28, 5:45 – 8:45 p.m.
Family Megillah Reading & Drum Tales
A participatory, family-friendly megillah reading and costume parade followed by an interactive performance of the Purim story by Drum Tales and holiday treats. Free
B’nai Shalom, 300 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange
Wednesday, February 28, 6 – 8 p.m.
Agudath Israel Children’s Purim Services
Child-friendly megillah reading, magician, mitzvah projects, and costume contest.
Congregation Agudath Israel of West Essex, 20 Academy Rd, Caldwell
Wednesday, February 28, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Temple Beth-El Mekor Chayim Megillah Reading
A brief evening service followed by a raucous megillah reading. Come in costume and ready to make some noise. All are welcome.
Temple Beth El Mekor Chayim, 338 Walnut Ave, Cranford
Wednesday, February 28, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
B’nai Israel Megillah Reading
Traditional megillah reading followed by holiday treats. Best for ages 8 and up. Free and open to all.
Congregation B’nai Israel Millburn, 160 Millburn Ave, Millburn
Wednesday, February 28, 7:30 – 9 p.m.
Purim in the Stadium
Megillah reading and sports-themed celebration with Chabad of Union County, including DJ, games, crafts, activities and buffet dinner. Advance registration requested. $20/adult, $10/child
Chabad of Union County, 1400 Martine Ave, Scotch Plains
Thursday, March 1, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
B’nai Israel Children’s Purim Services & Purim Carnival
Family-friendly Purim megillah storytelling, costume parade, and carnival. Dinner available for purchase. Fun for all ages. RSVP requested.
Congregation B’nai Israel Millburn, 160 Millburn Ave, Millburn
Thursday, March 1, 4:45 – 7 p.m.
Purim at The Madison Hotel
Celebrate Purim with Chabad of SE Morris County, with a megillah reading followed by a Purim party with a magic show, balloon art, costume contest, and buffet dinner. Advance registration requested. $25/adult, $15/child
The Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Rd, Morristown
Thursday, March 1, 5 – 7 p.m.
Purim Seudah and Vashti’s Variety Show
Purim Seudah (festive holiday meal) followed by a Purim sing-along and talent show. $10/pp, $40 max/family
B’nai Shalom, 300 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange
Thursday, March 1, 5 – 8 p.m.
Colors of Purim
Take a virtual trip to India. Create your own Indian-inspired crafts, bake challah with an Indian flair, and get a temporary henna tattoo, followed by dinner. Best for ages 2 – 6 years. RSVP requested but not required. Free and open to the community.
Gottesman RTW Academy, 146 Dover Chester Rd, Randolph
Thursday, March 1, 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Family Purim Bingo Night
Come in costume for family bingo accompanied by a light dinner and hamantaschen, with prizes for everyone. All ages. $10/family
Mountain Top School at Temple Har Shalom, 104 Mt. Horeb Rd, Warren
Thursday, March 1, 5:30 – 7 p.m.
It’s a Muppet Purim!
A Muppet-themed retelling of the Purim story with Fozzie Bear as King Achashverosh, Miss Piggy as Esther, Kermit the Frog as Mordechai, Big Bird as Vashti, and Oscar the Grouch as Haman. All are welcome, costumes optional. $5 suggested donation
Congregation Beth Hatikvah, 36 Chatham Rd, Summit
Saturday, March 3, 7 – 9 p.m.
Temple B’nai Abraham Purim Carnival
Games, inflatables, face painting, hamantaschen baking, and cotton candy, popcorn, and pizza available for purchase. $15/child, adults & ages 2 and under are free
Temple B’nai Abraham, 300 East Northfield Rd, Livingston
Sunday, March 4, 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Israeli Art & Learn
Learn about Israeli artists and make your own original creation. Best for ages 4 through 7 accompanied by an adult. RSVP requested but not required. Free and open to all.
Golda Och Academy, 122 Gregory Ave, West Orange
Sunday, March 4, 10:30 – 11:45 a.m.
SOMA Purim Carnival
Purim fun with food, games, and prizes. $10/per child, 2 and under free
Oheb Shalom Congregation, 170 Scotland Rd, South Orange
Sunday, March 4, Noon – 2 p.m.
Temple Sholom Purim Carnival
Carnival fun with hamantaschen making, inflatables, freeze dance, games, and special activities for ages 4 and under. Carnival is free and open to all. $36/family suggested donation
Temple Sholom, 1925 Lake Ave, Scotch Plains
Sunday, March 4, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
