DMV Purim Guide 2026 / 5786

Thursday, February 19th

• 7:00 p.m. — Purim Bake with Rodef 2100
  • “Ring in Purim with Rodef 2100! Join us on February 19th at 7 pm to bake hamentashen with Cantor Sydney Michaeli! Costumes are encouraged!”

Sunday, February 22nd

• 1:00 p.m. — Purim Gift Bag Packing Party with Jews United for Justice
  • Hosted at Adat Shalom
  • “As part of our JUFJ Purim celebrations in Maryland, we will be packing mishloach manot gift bags to deliver to statewide and local elected officials.”
• 2:00 p.m. — Purim Gift Bag Packing Party with Jews United for Justice
  • Hosted at Tikvat Israel
  • “As part of our JUFJ Purim celebrations in Maryland, we will be packing mishloach manot gift bags to deliver to statewide and local elected officials.”

Tuesday, February 24th

• 6:30 p.m. — Women of WHC Purim Party with Washington Hebrew Congregation
  • “Enjoy a Persian-inspired appetizer buffet and dessert (with options for all dietary needs), followed by games, and hamentashen-making led by Chef Roni of Lama’s Table. Costumes and masks encouraged! Space is limited, Register now!”

Wednesday, February 25th

• 7:00 p.m. — Hamentash Bake! with MesorahDC
  • “Join us for a Hamentash Bake at JStation!”
• 7:00 p.m. — Which is better — the latke or the hamantasch? Debate with Jewish Study Center
  • “The merits and demerits of the traditional Hanukkah and Purim foods will be debated. Following the debate, for those attending in person, there will be delicious latkes and hamantaschen for all to test the debaters’ expert conclusions. The proceedings will also be livestreamed.”

Friday, February 27th

• 6:00 p.m. — Shabbat Purim: Purim in Oz with Washington Hebrew Congregation
  • “We’ll be heading over the rainbow for a Shabbat Purim more powerful than a Kansas twister”
  • Services will also be available on a livestream
• 6:30 p.m. — Battle of the Hamantashen Filling Shabbat with Moishe House Adams Morgan
  • “Adar is here, and with it inarguably one of the best Jewish holiday foods. Come for a Shabbat dinner, but also come prepared to defend your favorite hamantashen filling.”
• 6:30 p.m. — Purim Shabbat: Noticing the Invisible with Am Kolel
  • “This Purim Shabbat, we invite you to join us in Noticing the Invisible. Together, we’ll reflect on the people, stories, and sacred work in our communities that often go unseen.”

Saturday, February 28th

• 1:00 p.m. — Hamentaschen Bake with New Synagogue Project
  • “Join us to bake hamentaschen for the Radical Purim Party and Purim Carnival!”
• 7:00 p.m. — Purim Spiel — “Persia Boys” with Congregation Adat Reyim
  • “Enjoy a nice Italian-style dinner and then rock and roll to the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons as we perform Persia Boys, written by our own Robin Gross. Starring your favorite Shpiel regulars and some new faces!”
• 8:00 p.m. — Purim & Ayyám-i-Há Masquerade Ball! with Abrahamic House
  • “Please join the Abrahamic House Fellows and community for a masquerade ball to celebrate Purim and Ayyám-i-Há! For both of these holidays, we give generously to those in need, share meals with friends, and celebrate with our communities.”
• 8:30 p.m. — Purim Singles Bash with Luv with Lev
  • “On Purim, celebration isn’t optional—it’s required. So we’re throwing a casual Purim singles party where the only agenda is fun, festivity, and letting sparks happen naturally.”

Sunday, March 1st

• 9:00 a.m. — Purim Family Shpiel and Carnival with Temple Emanuel
  • “Enjoy exciting games, festive crafts, delicious treats, and fun-filled activities for everyone. Come in costume!”
• 9:30 a.m. — Low Sensory Carnival with Adas Israel Congregation and Adas Israel Religious School
  • “You can expect carnival games, mitzvah opportunities, music, bouncy houses, and much more. Costumes are highly encouraged.”
• 10:00 a.m. — Annual EDCJCC Purim Party with the EDCJCC
  • “This year’s party, held indoors on the main level of the building, will feature face painting, balloon artistry, and a musical performance.”
• 10:00 a.m. — Purim Carnival with Adas Israel Congregation and Adas Israel Religious School
  • “You can expect carnival games, mitzvah opportunities, music, bouncy houses, and much more. Costumes are highly encouraged.”
• 10:00 a.m. — Purim Carnival with Tifereth Israel Congregation
  • “Join us as we celebrate Purim with a good old-fashioned carnival! Games, entertainment, an inflatable obstacle course, prizes, and all kinds of delicious treats! Costumes are encouraged!”
• 10:30 a.m. — Family Friendly Purim Shpiel with Temple Rodef Shalom
  • “The fun begins with the family-friendly Purim Shpiel by our clergy and staff in the Sanctuary. What could this year’s theme be?”
• 11:30 a.m. — Family Friendly Purim Carnival with Temple Rodef Shalom
  • “Following the Shpiel, delight in the carnival with games, moon bounces, face painting, prizes, and food!”
• 2:00 p.m. — Bake Hamentaschen for Pink Pony Purim with Temple Micah
  • “Make hamantaschen with us for our Pink Pony Purim celebration on March 2! We’ll provide the dough and the (peanut and tree-nut free) fillings. We’ll roll, cut, shape, and bake hamantaschen together—enough treats for our whole community.”
• 3:00 p.m. — Purim Carnival for Kids & Families with New Synagogue Project
  • “Join us for a festive Purim carnival for kids and their adults! Come in costume to enjoy games and crafts, plus delicious snacks to keep energy up.”
• 4:00 p.m. — Queen Esther’s Ball with GLOE
  • “Join GLOE to channel your inner Queen Esther at this unforgettable night of drag performances, costumes, and community.”
• 4:30 p.m. — Carnival and Purim Celebration with Kol Ami
  • “Bring the whole family for a fun-filled kids’ carnival and enjoy our annual Purimspiel as we honor the courage of Queen Esther and the resilience of our people.”

Monday, March 2nd

• 5:00 p.m. — Pink Pony Purim with Temple Micah
  • “Buckle up for Pink Pony Purim! Join us on the evening of Monday, March 2 for a pop-star themed Purim variety show extravaganza that’s bigger, bolder, and louder than ever. Prepare to re-imagine the stars of the Megillah!”
• 5:30 p.m. — Sparks in Adar: An LGBTQ+ Purim Happy Hour with Bet Mishpachah
  • “On Monday, March 2, join Bet Mishpachah’s under-50 cohort to celebrate Purim at Spark Social Club. Enjoy a drink on us and a good conversation, then we’ll walk or ride together to hear the megillah reading a short stroll away at the Edlavitch JCC. This event is for everyone!”
• 6:00 p.m. — Purim with Tikkun Leil Shabbat and Fabrangen
  • “Join us for an evening of ma’ariv, megillah, and merriment! All ages are invited to come in costume!”
• 6:00 p.m. — Purim in Candyland with Pozez JCC and Chabad of NoVA
  • “The sweetest Purim celebration in Northern Virginia! Step into a life-size Candyland for a fun-filled evening for kids and adults with attractions, entertainment, Megillah reading, a delicious dairy dinner & MORE!!”
• 6:00 p.m. — The FUNHOUSE Opens with Adas Israel Congregation
  • “All experiences live. Games, sensory maze, food, drinks, pop-up acts & surprises across the building”
• 6:30 p.m. — A Very Wicked Purim with Congregation Beth El
  • “Join us for a Wicked good time as we explore Purim’s biggest questions: Who’s truly the most popular? What happens when Esther meets King Ashki? Will the Jews dance through strife, or will Haman’s loathing steal the spotlight?”
• 6:30 p.m. — Let Them Eat Cake: A Purim Revolution with Sixth & I
  • “Experience royally offensive sketches, toast with cocktails and mocktails in our Garden of Versailles, enjoy cake and hamantaschen fit for a monarch, and party like it’s 1789 as you dance to live music from Sixth & I’s musicians.”
• 6:30 p.m. — Maariv and Megillah with DC Minyan
  • “Two services will take place Monday evening, both with Maariv and a full kosher Megillah Reading”
• 6:30 p.m. — Purim at the Circus with Chabad of Silver Spring
• 6:45 p.m. — Purim Megillah Reading with Congregation Olam Tikvah
  • “This year we celebrating an Olympic-style Purim! Put on your gold-medal costume to hear the Megillah, jump on to the winner’s block for a photo at the photo booth, and head to the youth corner for crafts or try an adult concoction made by our champion mixologists.”
• 6:45 p.m. — Purim Services & Megillah Readings with Tifereth Israel Congregation
  • “Join the congregation to hear Megillat Esther and enjoy shpiels and l’chayims!”
  • Virtual attendance available
• 6:45 p.m. — Young Professional Megillah Reading with Kesher Israel Congregation
  • “Join other young professionals for a Megillah reading at the Westin in Georgetown, followed by hamantaschen. Costumes are encouraged!”
• 7:00 p.m. — Cosmic Purim with NOVA Young Jewish Professionals with Chabad of Northern Virginia
  • “Get ready for a Purim that is OUT OF THIS WORLD! Meet us at Audacious Aleworks in Falls Church VA, for Megillah, Open Bar, & MUCH MORE!”
• 7:00 p.m. — DC’s Annual Premier Purim Bash! with American Friends of Lubavitch
  • “Invite your friends and come dressed in your best costume, ready to have an amazing time as we say plenty of L’chaim and party the night away!”
• 7:00 p.m. — Megillah According to Monty Python with Temple Rodef Shalom
  • “Join the TRS Music Department, Music and Performing Arts Committee, and clergy teams as the TRS performers retell the story of Purim. Don’t forget your costume!”
• 7:00 p.m. — Megillah with Adas Israel Congregation
• 7:00 p.m. — Radical Purim Party with New Synagogue Project
  • “Enjoy live entertainment, costumes, art, fundraising, raucous dance, scrumptious treats, and local justice organizing. SPACE IS LIMITED! Registration will close when we hit capacity.”
• 7:30 p.m. — Purim Party with Chinese Buffet and Open Bar with Kesher Israel Congregation
  • “Join Kesher for a Purim celebration with LOTS of drinks and food! Come in costume and ready to party.”
• 7:45 p.m. — Break-the-Fast and Spiel with DC Minyan
  • “Break your fast, schmooze with friends of all ages new and old, and enjoy an efficient-yet-entertaining spiel, suitable for all ages.”
• 8:30 p.m. — Purimpalooza with Temple Rodef Shalom
  • “Join us for Purimpalooza – great food, great cocktails, and schmoozing with friends and friends-to-be. Don’t forget to wear your best costume! Please register for Purimpalooza to help us with food and beverage estimates.”
• 9:00 p.m. — After Party with Adas Israel Congregation
  • “Music, karaoke, fun grown-up beverages & late-night FUNHOUSE energy”
• 9:00 p.m. — Purim Bar Night with DC Minyan
  • “Those of bar-attending age are invited to continue the fun at a nearby Dupont area bar. Stay tuned for more information on location and ways to win drink tickets! Costumes highly encouraged.”

Tuesday, March 3rd

• 7:30 a.m. — Purim Services & Megillah Readings with Tifereth Israel Congregation
  • “Join the congregation to hear Megillat Esther and enjoy shpiels and l’chayims!”
  • Virtual attendance available
• 7:30 a.m. — Prayer and Megillah Reading with Adas Israel Congregation
  • “A special morning of minyan, relive the power of our Purim story”
• 7:30 a.m. — Shacharit and Megillah with DC Minyan
  • “The celebration continues Tuesday morning at Friends Meeting of Washington (2111 Decatur Pl NW) for Shacharit at 7:30 AM, Megillah at approximately 8:05 AM, and Bagels (and coffee! And more hamentashen!) at approximately 8:45 AM”
• 8:30 a.m. — Purim Megillah Reading with Congregation Olam Tikvah
  • “Hear the Megillah again on Tuesday morning in the sanctuary from 8:30-10:00am!”
• 2:00 p.m. — Purim Seudah and Party with Magen David Sephardic Congregation
  • Open to members at MDSC only
• 4:00 p.m. — Queen Esther’s Ball with the EDCJCC
  • “Get ready to celebrate! Join GLOE to channel your inner Queen Esther at this unforgettable night of drag performances, costumes, and community. Come dressed as your favorite Purim character, in drag, or as anything that makes you feel like royalty!”
• 4:50 p.m. — End of Purim Megillah & Festive Meal with Segulah Minyan
  • “On Tuesday March 3rd, Segulah will be holding an End of Purim Megillah reading followed by a seudah (festive meal).”
• 5:00 p.m. — Mexican Purim Fiesta with Chabad of Potomac
• 5:00 p.m. — Purim Feast with Mesorah DC
  • “Live Music, Catered Dinner, Drinks and MORE!”
• 6:00 p.m. — Purim Party with Hill Havurah
  • “We’ll hear the megillah, enjoy a K-Pop Demon Hunters–inspired Purim spiel, take part in festive Purim activities, and celebrate together as a community. Pizza, snacks, and hamantaschen will be provided for all, along with alcoholic beverages for those of legal age who wish to imbibe in the spirit of the holiday.”
• 6:30 p.m. — Jews of Color and their Families Purim Celebration with the EDCJCC
  • “Join other Jews of Color and their families to make hamantaschen and celebrate Purim. We’ll have crafts and a pizza dinner, and you and your family will get to make hamantaschen to take home, bake, and enjoy!”

Thursday, March 5th

• 7:00 p.m. — Pizza, Parsha, Hamantaschen, and Prep with Moishe House Columbia Heights
  • “We’ll enjoy pizza and hamantaschen together while discussing the weekly parsha and preparing spiritually and practically for the upcoming Shabbat.”

Friday, March 6th

• 6:30 p.m. — Shabbat of Six: 90s Murder Mystery for Singles and Couples with Stacy’s Social Circles
  • “Keep the Purim vibes going and join Stacy’s Social Circles for a fun night of 90s costumes, Shabbat ritual, solving a mystery, and an opportunity to be placed in a curated small dinner group with 6 singles OR 3 couples followed by an after party with all in attendance”
• 7:30 p.m. — Purim Shabbat with Moishe House Columbia Heights
  • “Expect a lively, family-style meal with great company, playful Purim spirit, and a table that feels as abundant as the celebration itself.”

Saturday, March 7th

• 9:00 p.m. — Purim Party with DMV Moishe Houses
  • “Join all the Moishe Houses in the DMV for a night of dancing, drinks, snacks, conversation and lots of laughs. Wearing costumes and bringing friends are encouraged!”

Friday, March 13th

• 7:00 p.m. — Purim Shabbat: Queer Edition! with the Den Collective
  • “Join us to continue embracing the joy of Purim together in Queer community. We will explore the Queerness of the holiday with some special learning and a Shabbat feast surrounded by friends, new and old.”

District of Columbia

• Bread Furst
• Call Your Mother
  • Available in-store starting February 27th
  • Available for catering preorder on February 20th
• Baked by Yael
• Tatte
  • Available in-store beginning February 18th

Maryland

• Call Your Mother
  • Available in-store starting February 27th
  • Available for catering preorder on February 20th
• Moti’s Market
• Snider’s Super Food
• Sunflower Bakery
• Tatte
  • Available in-store beginning February 18th
• The Red Bandana Bakery
• Whipped Up Bakery

NoVA

• Call Your Mother
  • Available in-store starting February 27th
  • Available for catering preorder on February 20th
• Chutzpah Deli
• Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe
• Tatte
  • Available in-store beginning February 18th

• Buttery Hamantaschen by Tori Avey
• Cannoli Hamantaschen by Sheri Silver from The Nosher
• Cardamom Scented Hamantaschen with Pear and Goat Cheese Filling by Pessy Haskelevich from Jamie Geller
• Filling Options For Your Gluten-Free Hamantaschen from Something Nutritious
• Gluten-Free, Low Sugar Hamantaschen by Aly Miller from The Nosher
• Hamantaschen by Dawn Perry from Bon Appetit
• Hamantaschen by Rita Kantor and Marcia Saltz from Delish
• Hamantaschen Galette from Tasting Table
• Hamantaschen Puff Pastry Shells from Pragmatic Attic
• Joan Nathan’s Chosen Hamantaschen by Joan Nathan
• Puran Poli Hamantaschen by Rachel Kruge from Jewish&
• Red Bean Hamantaschen by Tobie Meyer-Fong from Jewish&
• Savory and Spicy Vegan Hamantaschen by Healy Slakman from Jewish&
• Savory Caramelized Onion Hamantaschen from What Jew Wanna Eat
• Savory Vegan Goat Cheese and Tomato Hamantaschen from 86 Eats
• The Best Hamantaschen Recipe Ever by Shannon Sarna from The Nosher

• Fassoulyeh b’Chuderah by Adeena Sussman
• Ground Beef Purim Puffs from Jamie Geller
• Haman’s Fingers from the Los Angeles Times
• Haman’s Fingers from Jamie Geller
• How to Make Haman’s Fingers for Purim by Vered Guttman from The Nosher
• Minhag Purim Nunt from Kosher.com
• Pull-Apart Sweet Surprise Challah by Shannon Sarna from Jamie Geller
• Vegan Stuffed Cabbage for Purim by Linda LaRue

There are four mitzvot (good deeds or commandments of religious duty) commonly associated with Purim, and two of them involve some form of giving: Matanot L’evyonim (gifts given to those in need) and Mishloach Manot (gifts given to friends and community members).

Yad Yehuda of Greater Washington explains Matanot L’evyonim this way: “To fulfill the mitzvah of Matanot L’evyonim on Purim, one must give charity to at least two poor people. This mitzvah can be fulfilled by giving either food or the monetary equivalent of the amount of food that is eaten at a regular meal.”

Below, we have compiled a few local charities and organizations with specific Matanot L’evyonim and Mishloach Manot campaigns or events. If you are interested in other ways to give back in the DMV, you could also check out our guide to Volunteering in the DMV!

• Bikur Cholim of Greater Washington
• Congregation Olam Tikvah
• DC Minyan
  • Matanot L’evyonim
  • Mishloach Manot
• Kesher Israel Congregation
• Sunflower Bakery
• Tifereth Israel Congregation
• Yad Yehuda of Greater Washington

• The Four Mitzvot of Purim by Rabbi Becca Walker from Exploring Judaism
• The Story of Purim by Rabbi Robert Goodman at My Jewish Learning
• The Purim Story from Chabad of Silver Spring
• Joyous Purim: Simple Actions for LGBTQ+ Belonging by Jay Smith from Keshet
• Must-Know Purim Words and Phrases from My Jewish Learning
• Purim at Home from My Jewish Learning
• Purim 101 from My Jewish Learning
• Purim Resources from SRE
• Why Do Jews Send Mishloach Manot on Purim? by Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld at My Jewish Learning

• What Queen Esther Taught Me by Talia Makowsky at Keshet
• Purim + The Emotional Life Cycle of a Disaster by Rabbi Ilana Zietman
• How and Why Do We Party on Purim? by Rabbi Ilana Zietman
• For this Moment: a Purim Message by Rabbi Amalia Mark

• The Completely Correct and Only Guide to the Right Hamantaschen for your Zodiac Sign from Keshet
• ‘Home for Purim’ Is the Queer Purim Movie I Wish Were Real by Rosa Escandón at Hey Alma
• Drag Performers Turn Purim Into A Queer Joy Extravaganza by Lindsay Eanet at Hey Alma
• How to (Respectfully) Dress Like Queen Esther by Evelyn Frick at Hey Alma
• 9 Very Specific Purim Parties You Could Throw Together This Week by Vanessa Pamela Friedman at Hey Alma
• This Year The Purim Story Hits Uncomfortably Close to Home by Kate Hennessey at Hey Alma
• Triangle Foods for Purim That Aren’t Hamantaschen by Sara Lebow at Hey Alma
• Watch the Best Purim Movie That’s Not a Purim Movie by B.C. Wallin at Hey Alma
• Adding Some Shenanigans to your Purim from Exploring Judaism