Purim officially starts on Wednesday night, 20th March but Purim in Israel really starts from the beginning of the month of Adar (Thurs 7th and Friday 8th March are Rosh Chodesh) as the schools start getting festive and the dressing up shops sell out. Most importantly, Purim means we finally have a day or two we can take off with our families for some Purim fun!
Here is a list of some of the fun things going on around the country but check this list again as more will be added as events are publicized.
Apart from those listed below, if the weather is sunny, enjoy the many hikes and National Parks all over Israel.
It is also the perfect time to visit the incredible parks in many cities, such as Park Raanana (which now has a new Kosher cafe by the lake), Park Kfar Saba, Herzliya…Modiin and many more.
You can be sure that most of the big attractions will have something Purim-themed going on – but here are just a few ideas!
Tel Aviv and Center areas:
Shows for Children
Watch an amazing show at the Yaron Theater Festival at the Tel Aviv Art Museum – run by The Orna Porat Theater for Children and Youth.
So many events have already begun in Tel Aviv – Click here for the full list.
Carnival
Lots of carnivals going on in cities in Israel (see below), but one your kids may love is the FREE carnival on 21.3 at Dizengoff Park in Yaffo! Starring Israeli pop stars Statik and Ben-El Tavori!
Make Soap!
The Soap Cake Factory in Raanana is running awesome Purim-themed workshops! Can you believe this Hamentashen is actually an all-natural soap that YOU could make yourself?
Click here for contact details! You can also book for Pesach with our EXCLUSIVE LOVELOVEISRAEL OFFER!!
Graffiti!
Book a Graffiti tour with Creative Yael in Tel Aviv or Dead Sea!
Israel Scaventures
Scaventures
This great activity for all ages is known to be Israel’s BEST tour game, so choose from their amazing list of ScaVentures across the country! You can read great reviews here!
North:
For a different but super fun day out get lost in the mazes in Emek Yizrael’s Mavoch BaEmek!
Technoda in Hadera looks set to be loads of fun with Purim themed workshops! More details coming here soon.
Madatech is running lots of fun events for Purim. More info to follow!
Safed Puzzle Room has a great family challenge for you! Check out reviews here and book a session for the whole family, couples, groups…great for everyone! Mention LoveLoveIsrael for 10% off!
Jerusalem Area:
Jerusalem celebrates Purim on Shushan Purim, so if one day wasn’t enough, head to Jerusalem to keep celebrating!
Mirror Image – A Purim of Mirrors and Reflections Flat mirrors, multiplying mirrors, reversing mirrors, and distorting mirrors. What turns an object into a mirror? Guided tours, fun, scientific demonstrations, mirror activity area, amusing clown show, construction workshop, and a 3D movie – March 20th – 23rd, 2019
Wednesday and Thursday, March 20th – 21st: 10:00 – 18:00 Friday, March 22nd: 10:00 – 14:00 Saturday, March 23rd: 10:00 – 16:00
Neot Kedumim
Neot Kedumim will be running special tours along the theme of the Purim story on Thursday March 21st from 9am.
Everyone knows the story of the Book of Esther, but what were their daily lives like back then?
On a tour of the Neot Kedumim park, visitors will embark on a journey back in time to discover, among other things, the secrets of the grooming of Queen Esther, with a special perfume made from vegetable plant; What did Mordechai wear? Learn about how the colors of the crimson and techelet in his clothes were derived from the Argaman snail, which grows in shallow water; How did they produce the wine that King Achashverosh loved to drink so much of? You can see an ancient wine press just like the one they used back then. Even the evil Haman will be included on the tour, at the ancient water wheel…..
In addition, at this time of year the seasonal flowers are in full bloom and the scenery is breathtaking!
Visitors will also experience a variety of experiences, straight from the scroll: Together they will make an incense bag for the house, create natural colored bracelets and decorate their hands with henna decorations. Along with a glass of Tirosh, you will learn how to harvest wine grapes in those days, and walk on them until you get a delicious juice.
At the end of the tour, you will learn about the materials used in the past for writing scrolls, such as the cane, the pomegranate and the resin. And the children will even experience themselves writing with pens and ink – the instruments of ancient writing.
When: Thursday, March 21, at 9:00 Price: 40 NIS per participant from age 4. For further information, please call 08-9770770 and www.n-k.org.il
Neot Kedumim
The Jerusalem Biblical Zoo
Festive and colorful celebrations at the Zoo this Purim – with special performances, live Purim music for the whole family, a special workshop creating masks and finger puppets, and of course the animals will enjoy the celebrations with their own special mishloach manot! During Purim itself there will be a special workshop about mysterious animals such as the okapi, the armadillo and the pangolin who dress up all year round! On Thursday and Friday, guests at the zoo will be greeted at the entrance by giant dolls and space figures. The atmosphere will be enhanced with a live-band in New Orleans style.
There will be special performances in the amphitheater on Thursday (March 21). The show will include a circus and an acrobatics show and on Friday (March 22) Amir will appear in a funny performance of circus and jest.
Over Purim the animals will also take part in the holiday tradition. Twice a day, at 11:00 and 15:00, give Mishloach Manot to the monkeys. The Mishloach Manot will be filled with full-grain manna, along with other surprises that the monkeys like such as raisins, peanuts and carob chocolate. The Mishloach Manot will also be challenging to open, so that monkeys will also have a lot of fun until they discover all the tasty treats inside. On Ta’anit Esther, which will take place on Wednesday, join a series of guided feeds, watch the elephant training and enjoy guided encounters with the animals. More information and reviews here.
The Tower of David Museum
“Catch the King” Purim fun!
FREE ENTRANCE FOR CHILDREN on Purim AT THE TOWER OF DAVID MUSEUM
Thursday-Friday, March 21-22. Suitable for children ages 4-8
To celebrate Purim, the king of Jerusalem decided to have some fun and play “hide & go seek” in the Citadel. The court jester asks children to help him find the king. Families are invited to join a challenging and entertaining search in the impressive ancient citadel, where they will be given exciting and amusing tasks in the spirit of the holiday of Purim.
The 90 mins activity takes place at the following times: March 21 – Thursday: 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00 March 22 – Friday: 10:00, 11:00, 12:00
The museum is free for children over Purim period. Adults cost 40.00 NIS. You must register in advance. • The activity is in Hebrew
Adloyada – Parades:
You can check this list in Hebrew (that is still being updated), but here is information about the biggest carnivals in cities in Israel:
Holon – the largest parade in Israel will take place on 21.3 from 12pm all along Sokolov Street, Hanesiim, Weizman and ending at Golomb. Special guest stars will be there, larger than life: Omer Adam, Eden Ben Zaken, Neta Barzilai and Stefan, will be lifted up to a height of 2.5 m. TV stars from HOP will also be there so it should be fun for the whole family.
The Dragons of Barcelona at the Holon Parade
Tel Aviv – There are so many events going on in Tel Aviv so definitely worth clicking to find the event that suits your family best. Some free events include carnivals, parties, mask making, outdoor performances and music. There is no ‘parade’ as such.
Modiin – 15/3 – Parade along Rechov Emek Hahula from 12:30 but events start at 11:00 with activities in the Hula Ampi and Park Hadagim.
Herzliya – in the town center on 21/3 at 10am. Click on link for more events.
Raanana – Achuza Street – 16:30pm on 19.3 Followed by a luna park and children’s activities at Hayovel Car Park. 17:30 Capoeira performance by Kogomlo at Yad Lebanim.
Ashkelon – On 21/3 from 4:30pm on the Bar Kochba Tayelet.
Netanya – The Kikar Haatzmaut will turn into a teenage party on 19.3 . Fun for the young along Rechov Hashalom on 21.3 from 12:00pm, finishing at 1:30pm with Yuval Hamebulbal!
Jerusalem – so many events!! Click for English info!
Feel free to add other events in the comments below! Happy Purim!