Complete Purim 2027 Date Schedule
Quick answer: For anyone asking when is purim 2027, the holiday begins at sunset on Monday, March 22, 2027, with Purim celebrated on Tuesday, March 23, 2027. In Jerusalem and other historically walled cities, Shushan Purim is observed on Wednesday, March 24. You can explore complete holiday details in our jewish holidays section.
Purim is one of the most joyous holidays on the Jewish calendar, marked by festive costumes, community feasting, gifts of food, and generous charitable giving. Because Jewish calendar days begin at dusk, all holiday observances start on the evening prior to the civil calendar date. Planning ahead ensures that you can participate in evening Megillah readings, organize gift baskets, and schedule festive holiday meals with family and friends.
When marking your calendar for when is purim 2027, keep in mind that Hebrew year 5787 is a leap year containing 13 months. As a result, Purim takes place in Adar II during March 2027. The key dates for the complete Purim holiday period are summarized in the table below.
| Observance | Hebrew Date | Civil Start (Sunset) | Main Day Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purim Katan (Minor Purim) | 14 Adar I 5787 | Saturday, February 20, 2027 | Sunday, February 21, 2027 |
| Fast of Esther (Ta’anit Esther) | 13 Adar II 5787 | Monday, March 22, 2027 (Dawn) | Monday, March 22, 2027 |
| Purim (Regular Cities) | 14 Adar II 5787 | Monday, March 22, 2027 | Tuesday, March 23, 2027 |
| Shushan Purim (Walled Cities) | 15 Adar II 5787 | Tuesday, March 23, 2027 | Wednesday, March 24, 2027 |
Understanding these specific dates helps you coordinate synagogue attendance for scripture readings and plan family gatherings on the appropriate days across both civil and Hebrew calendar schedules.
Why Purim Falls in Adar II During Leap Year 5787
A common source of confusion when looking up holiday dates is why Purim sometimes occurs in March and other times in February. The explanation lies in the lunisolar design of the Hebrew calendar. To keep lunar months aligned with solar seasons, the calendar adds a 13th intercalary month seven times every 19 years.
Hebrew year 5787 (which began on Rosh Hashanah in autumn 2026) is a designated leap year. In a leap year, the calendar incorporates two distinct months of Adar: Adar I and Adar II. According to Jewish law and longstanding custom, Purim is always celebrated during the second month of Adar (Adar II). You can read more about how leap years work in our article explaining adar i and adar ii.
During Adar I in a leap year, the 14th day is observed as Purim Katan (Little Purim). On Purim Katan, penitential prayers (Tachanun) are omitted from synagogue services, fasting is forbidden, and small celebrations are held, but the primary commandments of Purim are reserved for 14 Adar II in March.
The Story of Purim in Brief
The historical events of Purim took place in ancient Persia during the reign of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I), as recorded in the biblical Book of Esther (Megillat Esther). The king’s villainous prime minister, Haman, plotted to destroy all Jewish residents throughout the vast Persian Empire. Haman cast lots (known in Persian as “purim”) to determine the date for his planned decree, setting it for the 13th day of the month of Adar.
Through the remarkable courage of Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai, Haman’s plot was exposed directly to the king. Queen Esther revealed her Jewish identity, pleaded for her people, and overturned the evil decree. The Jewish community was granted royal permission to defend itself, achieving a miraculous victory over their enemies on 13 Adar.
On 14 Adar, the Jewish people rested from battle, celebrated their miraculous salvation, and established an annual holiday of joy, feast, and mutual giving. In the capital city of Shushan, fighting continued through 14 Adar, so their victory celebration took place on 15 Adar, establishing the tradition of Shushan Purim.
The Four Primary Mitzvot of Purim
Purim is observed through four specific traditional commandments (mitzvot) designed to foster gratitude, community unity, and dedicated care for those in need.
1. Hearing the Megillah (Reading Esther)
Community members gather in synagogue to listen to the public chanting of Megillat Esther twice: once on Purim evening and once during Purim day. Listeners use wooden noise-makers (graggers) to drown out the name of Haman whenever it is chanted during the scroll reading, emphasizing the eradication of evil.
2. Mishloach Manot (Gifts of Food)
To promote friendship and community unity, every adult sends a gift package containing at least two different ready-to-eat foods or beverages to at least one friend or neighbor on Purim day. Popular items include fresh fruit, homemade baked goods, grape juice, and traditional triangular pastries filled with fruit jam or sweet poppy seed (hamantaschen).
3. Matanot La’evyonim (Gifts to the Poor)
Charity to those in financial need is an essential requirement on Purim. Everyone is obligated to give monetary gifts to at least two needy individuals or charitable organizations on Purim day, ensuring that every member of the community can afford food and enjoy a dignified holiday meal.
4. Seudat Purim (The Festive Meal)
On Purim afternoon, families and friends gather for a lavish celebratory meal (Seudat Purim). The atmosphere is joyful, filled with song, inspirational stories, family toasts, and delicious foods in honor of divine providence and miraculous redemption.
Fast of Esther and Shushan Purim Explained
The day immediately preceding Purim is Ta’anit Esther (the Fast of Esther). This minor fast commemorates the three days of fasting and fervent prayer undertaken by Queen Esther and the Jewish community before she approached King Ahasuerus without a royal summons to plead for her people.
The Fast of Esther takes place from dawn until nightfall on 13 Adar II (Monday, March 22, 2027). Fasting concludes after nightfall following the evening Megillah reading in synagogue. If you need to convert specific holiday dates or calculate exact sunset times, use our free jewish date converter for exact calculations.
Shushan Purim occurs on 15 Adar II (Wednesday, March 24, 2027). In ancient times, cities surrounded by a protective wall dating back to the era of Joshua celebrated Purim a day later, mirroring the timeline of the capital city Shushan. Today, Jerusalem is the primary city where Shushan Purim is fully observed with daytime readings, gifts, and festive meals on 15 Adar II.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do people wear costumes on Purim?
Wearing costumes and masks commemorates how God’s presence was concealed throughout the Purim story, as God’s name does not explicitly appear in the Book of Esther. It also reflects how Queen Esther concealed her true identity until the proper moment.
What are hamantaschen and what do they represent?
Hamantaschen are triangular filled pastries traditional on Purim. In Yiddish, the name means Haman’s pockets, while in Hebrew they are called Oznei Haman (Haman’s ears), symbolizing the defeat of the wicked villain.
What happens if someone lives in a walled city other than Jerusalem?
In certain ancient Israeli cities with uncertain wall histories (such as Safed, Tiberias, and Jaffa), Megillah reading is performed on 14 Adar II with additional readings on 15 Adar II out of custom, though Jerusalem remains the primary location for Shushan Purim.
Are work activities permitted on Purim?
While Purim does not carry strict biblical Sabbath work prohibitions, tradition discourages regular commercial business so that individuals can focus fully on hearing the Megillah, delivering food gifts, and enjoying festive meals.
The Bottom Line
Purim 2027 offers a marvelous opportunity for joy, community bonding, and spiritual gratitude. Knowing that Purim falls on March 22 to March 24, 2027, allows you to prepare costumes, arrange food deliveries for neighbors, organize charitable contributions, and schedule family feasts. By fulfilling the four mitzvot of Purim, you take part in an ancient tradition of triumph, resilience, and community solidarity.
To check dates for future years and explore complete holiday calendars, visit our free jewish holidays portal today to access interactive tools and comprehensive holiday guides.
