Purim in 2026 begins at sundown on Monday, March 2, and ends at nightfall on Tuesday, March 3.

Key details

  • Purim falls each year on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar, which corresponds in 2026 to March 2–3 on the Gregorian calendar.
  • In Jerusalem and a few other ancient walled cities, the related observance called Shushan Purim is celebrated one day later, extending observances there into Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

What Purim commemorates

  • Purim marks the salvation of the Jews of ancient Persia from a planned annihilation described in the biblical Book of Esther.
  • The story centers on Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai, who foil the wicked Haman’s plot and secure royal protection for their people.

How Purim is celebrated

  • Common practices include public readings of the Megillah (Scroll of Esther), festive meals, charity to the poor, and exchanging gifts of food (mishloach manot).
  • Many communities add costumes, masks, carnivals, humorous skits, and lots of noise whenever Haman’s name is read, reflecting the holiday’s especially joyous character.

TL;DR: When is Purim? In 2026, it’s from Monday evening, March 2, through Tuesday night, March 3, with extra observance in Jerusalem on March 4.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.