Purim 2025: The Festival of Lots
Festival guide · 2025
Purim 2025 falls on Thursday, March 13, 2025. Dates are astronomical estimates — confirm with your local religious authority.
Purim (פּוּרִים) celebrates the miraculous salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia as told in the Book of Esther. It falls on 14 Adar — in February or March — and is one of the most joyful and exuberant days in the Jewish year.
The story: the wicked minister Haman cast lots (purim) to choose the date of a planned massacre of the Jews. Queen Esther, a Jewish woman who had become queen to King Ahasuerus, revealed the plot at great personal risk and saved her people.
When is Purim 2025?
Purim 2025 falls on Thursday, March 13, 2025. Dates are based on astronomical calculations and may vary by ±1 day — always confirm with your local religious authority.
| Date | Thursday, March 13, 2025 |
Purim 2025: Planning & Key Facts
In 2025, Purim lands midweek — observers planning gatherings may want to bridge a day toward the weekend. The Hebrew calendar is lunisolar with periodic leap months, so the Gregorian date shifts year to year within about a month. This date is confirmed — it has already passed.
| Year | Date | Shift vs. prior year |
|---|---|---|
| Purim 2024 | Sunday, March 24, 2024 | — |
| Purim 2025 | Thursday, March 13, 2025 | 354 days later |
| Purim 2026 | Tuesday, March 3, 2026 | 355 days later |
Other Jewish observances near Purim 2025:
- Tu B'Shevat — Thursday, February 13, 2025 · New Year of Trees
- Passover (Pesach) — Sunday, April 13, 2025 · Exodus from Egypt — 8 days
Traditions & Observance
Reading the Megillah
The Book of Esther is read aloud in synagogue on the night of Purim and again the following morning. Whenever Haman's name is mentioned, the congregation drowns it out with noisemakers (groggers), stomping, and booing. Children dress in costumes representing characters from the story — Purim is the Jewish Carnival.
Mishloach Manot (Gift Baskets)
Every adult must send mishloach manot — a gift package with at least two ready-to-eat foods — to at least one friend. In practice, families prepare elaborate baskets of sweets, baked goods, and wine to send to friends and neighbours. The custom strengthens friendship and communal bonds.
Matanot La'evyonim (Charity)
On Purim day, every adult must give gifts to at least two poor individuals. The Talmud says there is no better way to honour Purim than through generous charity. Many synagogues collect funds on Purim morning to distribute to those in need.
The Purim Seudah
A festive meal is held during the day of Purim. Wine is drunk generously. The meal includes hamantaschen (triangular filled pastries representing Haman), kreplach, and other festive foods. Purim shpiels (comedic plays) are performed in many communities.
What are the four mitzvot of Purim?
Purim has four specific obligations (mitzvot): (1) Megillah reading — hearing the Book of Esther read aloud at night and again during the day; (2) Mishloach Manot — sending a package of at least two ready-to-eat foods to at least one friend; (3) Matanot La'evyonim — giving charity to at least two poor people on Purim day; (4) the Purim Seudah — a festive daytime meal with wine. These four mitzvot together make Purim one of the most actively observed Jewish holidays. The Talmud emphasises that the charity mitzvah should be performed generously — 'one who gives more to the poor on Purim is more praiseworthy.'
What is the story of Purim in the Book of Esther?
The Book of Esther is set in the Persian court of King Ahasuerus (identified with Xerxes I, ca. 486–465 BCE). Haman, the king's chief minister, becomes enraged when Mordecai the Jew refuses to bow to him, and obtains permission to destroy all the Jews of the empire. He casts lots (purim) to choose the date of the massacre. Mordecai persuades his niece Esther — who has become queen without revealing her Jewish identity — to approach the king unbidden, at the risk of death. Esther fasts three days, then reveals the plot to the king, exposing Haman. Haman is hanged on the very gallows he built for Mordecai. The Jews are permitted to defend themselves, and the day of their salvation becomes a festival of joy — Purim.
Other Years
In Jerusalem and walled cities, Purim is observed on 15 Adar (Shushan Purim). In leap years, Purim falls in Adar II. Confirm with your local synagogue.