Whatever you want from your Purim festivities—hamantaschen, alcohol, a Megillah reading (the text that tells the story of how Queen Esther helped save the Jewish people from Haman, an antisemitic vizier of the Persian empire), tacos, magic tricks, musical theater—we’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find all the ways to celebrate Judaism’s most fun holiday (March 9-10) in Seattle all month long, from a Gay Purim Party to a shindig at the new Jewish deli Zylberschtein’s. The holiday revolves around the survival of the Jews, unmitigated charitable giving, and the festive consumption of food and alcohol—so don a costume, hand out bags of treats, and go celebrate.
PARTIES
CYP Seattle Roaring 20’s Purim Party!
Get glitzed up and join Chabad of Downtown Seattle for a speakeasy-themed party in an underground bar, where you’ll find a live jazz band, a hamantaschen bar, a Megillah reading, and more.
Mon March 9, Underbelly (Pioneer Square)
Gay Purim Party
The lumberjack-themed gay bar will host a Purim dance party in its Loading Dock space. Groove the night away in honor of Queen Esther and order up some fresh hamantaschen from the bar.
Sun March 8, Lumber Yard Bar (White Center)
Purim Celebration and Fundraiser
This formal Purim event promises a Shabbat ceremony, a live performance from Jet City Improv, carnival games, food, and more.
Sat March 7, Temple B’Nai Torah (Bellevue)
Purim in the Flourishing ’20s
Chabad of the Central Cascades will throw things back a century at this ’20s-themed Purim bash. Feast on things like knishes, brisket, hot pastrami, and rugelach, and enjoy a comedy show and open mic (open to those aged 15 and older).
Tues March 10, Lodge at Beaver Lake (Sammamish)
Purim Masquerade Party
Purim and Mardi Gras will merge at this masquerade party complete with live DJs, hamantaschen, a costume contest, and plenty of booze.
Sat March 7, Sole Repair Shop (Capitol Hill)
Purim Under the Stars
Eat breakfast food by the light of the moon and hear a reading of the Megillah in your best Purim-inspired costume.
Mon March 9, Bikur Cholim Machzikay Hadath (Rainier Valley)
YYLC Purim Red Carpet Event and Limo Ride
Hop in a limo without knowing your destination for an extra dose of whimsy this Purim. While your drop-off point is a mystery, know that wherever it is will welcome you with a red carpet, festive music, dinner, and swag bags.
Mon March 9, Chabad of the Central Cascades (Issaquah)
COMEDY & PERFORMANCES
Chabad of Snohomish County Purim
Eat sushi and enjoy magic stuff from ventriloquist and comedian Mark Thompson after a Megillah reading.
Tues March 10, Chabad of Snohomish County (Lynnwood)
Inside Out Purim Parody
Billing itself as a “PG-13 Pop Culture Purim Parody,” this annual production presented by the players of Eddie’s Not Ready for the Bima invites you to bring your own beverages and nut-free hamantaschen to share while you enjoy a silly, semi-informative production.
Sun March 8, Kol HaNeshamah (West Seattle)
Olympia Purim Party + Comedy Night
Share your favorite “Jewish humor” (only if you yourself are Jewish, natch) in an open mic and fill up on a gourmet Purim dinner. Kids can enjoy an animated Megillah reading and watch a magic show.
Tues March 10, Chabad of Olympia (Tumwater)
Purim 5780: Vashti Invites You to the Victory Party
Jewish Currents write, “We take you into the world of Vashti and the harem, finding shadow puppets, time warps, and Baba Yoncé along the way. Come peek inside our fanny packs.” In addition to this staged performance, you can also look forward to klezmer music from Shpilkis and hamantaschen to eat.
Sat March 14, the Hillman City Collaboratory
Sacred Opera Presents ‘Esther’
George F. Handel’s 300-year-old Old Testament oratorio, Esther, will be revived by Sacred Opera for a one-night Purim performance.
Sat March 14, Carco Theatre (Renton)
Shushanian Rhapsody Purim Spectacular
This musical theater mashup uses parodies of Queen songs to retell the story of Esther, the woman who became the Queen of Persia and saved the Jewish people from persecution in the fourth century BCE.
Fri March 6, Bet Alef Meditative Synagogue (Capitol Hill)
A Very Yentl Purim Spiel
James K. O’Connell’s “musical conversation about identity and masks,” A Very Yentl Purim Spiel, takes cues from Barbra Streisand’s 1983 musical theater hit.
Mon March 9, Temple Beth Am (Greenwood)
MUSIC
Purim Carnival and Klezmer Local 206!
Local band Klezmer 206 will provide revelrous live music at this Purim party, which will also have a Syrian food truck, hamentaschen, games, a no-host bar, and a performance of the Purim Shpiel. You’re encouraged to dress up as Queen Esther “or any mysterious and creative costume you desire.”
Sun March 8, Havurat Ee Shalom (Vashon)
FAMILY-FRIENDLY GATHERINGS
All-Star Purim
Since the only rule of Purim is that there are no rules, this family celebration is sports-themed. Come dressed as your favorite athlete or piece of equipment and hear the story of Esther in a “carnival atmosphere.”
Sat March 7, Restoration (North Seattle)
CBS Purim Carnival
Spend the most fun Jewish holiday of the year (it’s a fact, look it up) playing carnival games and winning fun prizes at this all-ages party.
Sun March 8, Congregation Beth Shalom (Ravenna)
Ezra Bessaroth Purim Party
This annual Purim celebration promises fun for all ages, including a “light dairy dinner,” a costume parade (for kids), a costume contest (for adults), and plenty of carnival-style games and activities.
Mon March 9, Congregation Ezra Bessaroth (Rainier Valley)
KHN Purim Celebration
This Purim affair is one part Megillah reading, one part costume parade, and one part mac and cheese feast. Bring fruits, veggies, and/or nut-free hamantaschen to share.
Mon March 9, Kol HaNeshamah (West Seattle)
The Magic is in the Air
Starting with a kids’ program with magician and illusionist Nate Jester, this Purim shindig will move into a Megillah reading and an Italian dinner from World and Spice (composed of dairy products), followed by a dance party with DJ Benzacob.
Mon March 9, Congregation Shaarei Tefilah (Ravenna)
Monopoly Purim Party
Pass go and collect your winnings at this Purim Monopoly party also featuring a buffet dinner, animated Megillah, cocktails, live entertainment, and door prizes for those who arrive in costume.
Tues March 10, Holiday Inn Express & Suites (Shoreline)
Purim at the Chabad House
Enjoy a Megillah reading and a festive Mexican-inspired meal.
Tues March 10, Chabad House Minyan (University District)
Purim Celebration and Dinner
Chabad of Capitol Hill will provide a tasty buffet dinner, live entertainment, a Megillah reading, kids’ activities, and hamantaschen-making.
Tues March 10, Chabad Jewish Center (Capitol Hill)
Purim in Mexico
Celebrate Mexican and Jewish culture in one night at this Purim fiesta complete with a taco bar, maraca decorating, kids’ activities, margaritas, and a Megillah reading.
Mon March 9, Chabad Mercer Island
Purim in Morocco
Marrakesh and Judaic traditions will collide with a night of henna art, hamantaschen-baking, lantern-painting, spice-blending, and a Purim performance from Victoria Atia and the Redmond Dance Troupe.
Mon March 9, Eastside Torah Center (Bellevue)
Purim in the Jungle
Transport yourself to a tropical jungle complete with a live African drum circle. This Purim party will also have a buffet dinner and a Megillah reading.
Tues March 10, Kirkland Woman’s Club
Purim in the Palace
Head here for a magic show, pony rides, and a “royal” buffet dinner.
Tues March 10, Island Synagogue (Mercer Island)
Purim in the Shtetl
Visit a replica of a Jewish shtetl where you can pet animals, munch on hamantaschen and other tasty offerings “only your Bubbe could make,” and hear the story of Purim.
Tues March 10, Filipino American Community Hall (Bainbridge Island)
Purim in the Stadium
Experience Purim with all the rowdiness of a live sporting event by cheering for brave Queen Esther and booing at the mention of the Jew-hating Haman at this “stadium-style” reading of the Megillah. The organizers also promise a concession-style dinner and plenty of beer.
Tues March 10, Renton Chamber of Commerce
Purim Outta the Box
Kids will work in teams to solve clues in a scavenger hunt—including making their own hamantashen and giving Mishloach Manot by transforming their finds into a special gift—that teaches them about the story of Purim.
Sun March 8, Chabad Jewish Russian Center (Shoreline)
Purim Party at El Shaddai Ministries
This South Sound ministry will host a Purim potluck, hamantaschen contest, and Megillah reading. If you don’t have a knack for baking, just show up to be a judge.
Mon March 9, El Shaddai Ministries (Sumner)
Purim Party in Israel
Enjoy an Israeli dinner and drinks, write letters to Israeli soldiers, squeeze your own juice, and hear the story of Purim.
Tues March 10, Chabad of NW Seattle (Greenwood)
FOOD & DRINK EVENTS
Hamantashen Making
Shape and bake your own triangular cookies names after Haman, the villain of Purim.
Thurs March 19, Venue provided with RSVP
Purim Hamantash Bake
Chabad of UW invites Huskies to wear a costume and bake traditional, jam-filled hamantaschen while you hear a retelling of the Megillah. In the spirit of the holiday, your tasty creations will be given to Seattle Children’s Hospital patients and their families.
Fri March 9, Chabad at University of Washington (University District)
Purim Party with Marc Smason Barry Pollack & Guests
Revel in Purim festivities with live klezmer music by Marc Smason Barry Pollack and a special menu from the Jewish delicatessen and bakery Zylberschtein’s, including (“of course”) hamantaschen.
Sun March 8, Zylberschtein’s (North Seattle)
Tacos & Torah: Purim Feast Edition
Learn about Purim and stuff your face with tacos with UW’s student Hillel program.
Tues March 10, Hillel at the University of Washington (University District)
OTHER NOTABLE HAPPENINGS
Purim2Go
Mercer Island’s Jewish community hub has postponed its Purim Carnival to April in light of public health concerns, but they’ll put together Mishloach Manot (food and drink baskets given out during the holiday) for families to pick up and enjoy at home. Stop by one of four Blazing Bagels locations to claim yours.
March 9-10, Various locations
Purim Monday
Rabbi Rachel Kort will lead Purim services before introducing a live music program from Neil Weinstein.
Mon March 9, Temple Beth Or (Everett)
Purim Meditation at the SJCC
Rabbi Olivier BenHaim will lead an exercise in mindfulness and intention this Purim season.
Thurs March 5, Bet Alef Meditative Synagogue (Capitol Hill)
