14 to 15 Adar 5786
Purim 2026
Purim began at sundown on Monday 2 March, and ended at nightfall on Tuesday 3 March.
Purim falls 11 days earlier than in 2025, as the Hebrew calendar does in most years: twelve lunar months come to about 354 days.
Purim 2026 falls on Tuesday 3 March, and begins at sundown the evening before.
Times for Jerusalem and New York.
- Days of Purim
- Begins at sundown
| Day | In Israel | Outside Israel |
|---|---|---|
| Mon 2 Mar13 Adar | Israel:Fast of Esther. Erev Purim. Fast begins 04:53. Fast ends 17:53 | Outside Israel:Fast of Esther. Erev Purim. Fast begins 05:08. Fast ends 18:22 |
| Tue 3 Mar14 Adar | Israel:Purim, except in Jerusalem | Outside Israel:Purim |
| Wed 4 Mar15 Adar | Israel:Shushan Purim, in Jerusalem | Outside Israel:A working day |
The Fast of Esther begins at dawn and ends 15 minutes after sunset in Israel, and when the sun is 7.083° below the horizon elsewhere.
Purim celebrates the rescue of the Jews of Persia told in the Book of Esther: costumes, a public Megillah reading, food gifts to friends, gifts to the poor, and a festive daytime meal.
What happens in Israel
Costumes everywhere for a week, street parties, and the Adloyada parades. Jerusalem celebrates a day after the rest of the country, so many people do both.
How it is kept
- Hearing Megillat Esther read, with noise at every mention of Haman
- Mishloach manot: sending food gifts to friends
- Matanot la'evyonim: gifts to at least two people in need
- Costumes, carnivals and a festive daytime meal
What people say
"Chag Purim sameach" or "Freilichen Purim"
On the table
Hamantaschen, the triangular filled cookies, and a festive seudah with wine.
These Hanukkah gifts are drawn from the same calendars as this site.
A city's Shabbat times for 2027, the moon on the night someone was born, a bar or bat mitzvah portion, the Kinneret on a day that matters. Each one is drawn for the person you choose, then printed and shipped free.
Order by November 18 for delivery in the US before the first candle, or by November 11 for Israel.
Shabbat in your city, 2027
From $36
The moon they were born under
From $36
Their Torah portion
From $36
The Kinneret mug
From $29
Purim moves by up to a month from one year to the next, but never leaves its season.
The Hebrew calendar follows the moon and adds a month seven years in nineteen. Here is Purim in every year this site has computed.
| Year | Begins at sundown | Ends at nightfall |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Sat 23 MarSaturday 23 March | Sun 24 MarSunday 24 March |
| 2025 | Thu 13 MarThursday 13 March | Fri 14 MarFriday 14 March |
| 2026 | Mon 2 MarMonday 2 March | Tue 3 MarTuesday 3 March |
| 2027 | Mon 22 MarMonday 22 March | Tue 23 MarTuesday 23 March |
| 2028 | Sat 11 MarSaturday 11 March | Sun 12 MarSunday 12 March |
| 2029 | Wed 28 FebWednesday 28 February | Thu 1 MarThursday 1 March |
| 2030 | Mon 18 MarMonday 18 March | Tue 19 MarTuesday 19 March |
14 other Jewish holidays fall in 2026.
The next 8 in the order they fall. Each has its own page for 2026.
Monday 2 February
Tu BiShvat
The new year of the trees. Tree planting in Israel and eating the fruits of the land.
Thursday 2 April
Passover (Pesach)
The festival of freedom, marking the Exodus from Egypt. Seder nights, matzah, and no chametz for eight days (seven in Israel).
Tuesday 14 April
Yom HaShoah
Holocaust Remembrance Day. In Israel a two-minute siren brings the country to a standstill.
Tuesday 21 April
Yom HaZikaron
Israel's Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror, the day before Independence Day.
Wednesday 22 April
Yom HaAtzmaut
Israel's Independence Day, marking the declaration of the state in 1948.
Tuesday 5 May
Lag BaOmer
The 33rd day of the Omer count. Bonfires, weddings and celebrations at Mount Meron.
Friday 22 May
Shavuot
The festival of receiving the Torah at Sinai. All-night learning and dairy foods. Two days in the diaspora, one in Israel.
Thursday 23 July
Tisha B'Av
Fast day mourning the destruction of both Temples in Jerusalem. If the 9th of Av falls on Shabbat, the fast is observed on Sunday.
Frequently asked questions
When is Purim 2026?+
Purim 2026 begins at sundown on Monday 2 March and ends at nightfall on Tuesday 3 March. Jewish days start in the evening, so the first full day is Tuesday 3 March.
How long is Purim?+
1 day. Purim falls on 14 Adar in most places. Walled cities from the time of Joshua, Jerusalem chief among them, keep Shushan Purim on 15 Adar instead, one day later.
Is Purim different in Israel?+
Purim falls on 14 Adar in most places. Walled cities from the time of Joshua, Jerusalem chief among them, keep Shushan Purim on 15 Adar instead, one day later.
What happens in Israel on Purim?+
Costumes everywhere for a week, street parties, and the Adloyada parades. Jerusalem celebrates a day after the rest of the country, so many people do both.
What do you say on Purim?+
The standard greeting is "Chag Purim sameach" or "Freilichen Purim".
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