Purim Festivals and Carnivals around Boston

3/5/14 - By Audrey Trieschman

Purim is a joyous Jewish holiday celebrated with storytelling, costumes, and the making and giving of gifts. Jewish families know Purim as a time of uncharacteristically raucous revelry, marked by costumes, noisemakers, interactive storytelling, triangular pastries, and enough drink (for the grown-ups) to muddy the lines between good and evil. Gentile families generally don't know it at all.

But Purim is worth knowing. It celebrates the story of Queen Esther outwitting the evil Haman, a story that has all the best elements: a party-hearty king, a beautiful and courageous queen, a resourceful good guy, and a bad guy so hateful that everyone drowns out his name with noisemakers at carnivals all over town. Check out one of the events below for classic Purim carnival activities, costume parades, and boisterous retellings of the Purim story. (And if you know of a celebration we've missed, please let us know!)

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Family Concert: Mama Doni Purim Bash - Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center, Newton
Sun 3/9
$10-$13

In the spirit of outrageous Purim fun, Mama Doni’s show is filled with dancing, sing-alongs and a costume parade. - a festive, high-energy and interactive family rock concert with a Jewish twist.


Purim Merriment at the Museum - Children's Museum of Easton, Easton
Sun 3/9
In advance $15/family; at the door $20/family

Enjoy outrageous Purim fun at The Children’s Museum in Easton. Celebration includes dancing, sing-a-longs, costume parade, crafts and hamantaschen (Purim pastries).


PJ Library Purim Palooza with Jenny the Juggler - Potter Road School, Framingham
Sun 3/9
$15/family; Walk-ins: additional $5

Children can come in costume and join Jenny the Juggler for the happiest of holidays. After the show, make Purim Mishloach Manot (holiday baskets), eat hamantashen (Purim pastries) and learn about the Purim tradition of giving.


Puttin on the Purim Ritz - Solomon Schechter Day School, Newton
Thu 3/13
FREE; no registration required

Celebrate Purim in style…wacky style, that is, with Davey the Clown, balloon hats and glitzy get-up. Kids can join in on an afternoon filled with hamentaschen, zany music and a catwalk of costumes.


Purim Storytime at Magic Beans - Brookline
Thu 3/13
FREE

Young children can have some fun at the after-school (after-nap) story hour and get in the Purim spirit as they listen to stories, sing Purim songs, and take part in a Purim craft and raffle.


Pirate Purim in the Caribbean - Brookline Teen Center, Brookline
Sun 3/16
$5/person

It's a swashbuckling Purim party, featuring the YoYo People, a full Pirate Pancake Buffet Breakfast, pirate balloon artist, and barrels of fun, including candlepi bowling, rock climbing, walk the plank, pirate crafts and more. Come dressed as a pirate or in any costume for our masquerade contest.


Purim at the Taj - Taj Boston
Sun 3/16
Adults $25; Children $15; Family special $75        

Celebrate Purim with Megillah reading, full-spread brunch, live Berklee music ensemble, magic and juggling show, face painting, Purim-themed arts and crafts, and more. Register in advance via the website.


Family Purim Carnival - Runkle School, Brookline
Sun 3/16
$10 suggested donation

No Purim celebration is complete without a wild and wacky Purim Shpiel, costume finery, and loads of fun and games! The Boston Workmen's Circle annual Purim Carnival, hosted by the Sunday School 7th grade class, features games and prizes for children under 10. Purim Spiel starts promptly at 11:15am, with pizza and potluck lunch at 11:30am.


Temple Aliyah Purim Carnival - Temple Aliyah, Needham
Sun 3/16
FREE

Kids of all ages are invited to join the fun at the Temple Aliyah Sisterhood’s annual Purim Carnival. The Sisterhood’s largest “fun-raiser,” the carnival will feature games, crafts, raffles, prizes, food, and music. Try your hand at dime cup toss or “Hit the Haman,” decorate graham crackers or get your face painted, or eat something yummy at the chocolate fountain! Come in costume to make the day more festive. Lunch will be available for purchase.


Caravan Puppet Show and Purim Carnival - Temple Hillel B'nai Torah, Boston
Sun 3/16
FREE

The morning begins with a Purim-themed puppet show by Caravan Puppets. At 11:30, the Purim Carnival kicks off. Note that the Carnival is open exclusively to children 6 and under (and parents) for the first half-hour, from 11:30am-12n. The Carnival is open to the general public from 12n-1:30pm.