Purim in Jerusalem: Shushan Purim Dates, the Megillah, the Parade and What's Open

15 Oct 2026 · 4 min

Jerusalem keeps Purim a day after everyone else. Here are the 2027 dates, what happens on each day, and how the city runs while it celebrates.

Short answer for 2027: most of Israel celebrates Purim on Tuesday 23 March, but Jerusalem keeps Shushan Purim the next day, Wednesday 24 March. In Jerusalem the megillah is read on Tuesday night, 23 March, and again on Wednesday morning. Ta'anit Esther, the fast, is on Monday 22 March. Schools are expected to be off on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Purim 2027 at a glance

Monday 22 March — Ta'anit Esther. A minor fast from dawn to nightfall. An ordinary working and school day.
Monday night 22 March and Tuesday 23 March — Purim everywhere except Jerusalem. Tel Aviv, Beit Shemesh, Modiin and the rest of the country celebrate.
Tuesday night 23 March and Wednesday 24 March — Shushan Purim in Jerusalem. Megillah at night and in the morning, mishloach manot and matanot la'evyonim during the day, and the seudah in the afternoon.

Why Jerusalem is a day later

In the Book of Esther, the Jews of Shushan, the walled capital, fought an extra day and celebrated on the 15th of Adar. The Sages gave that day to cities that had walls in the time of Joshua, and Jerusalem is the one city that certainly qualifies. Travel between cities on Purim has its own rules: a visitor in Jerusalem on the 14th who plans to leave before dawn of the 15th keeps the 14th, and a Jerusalemite away on the 14th may need to hear the megillah twice. Aish's summary sets out the cases; ask your rav about your own plans.

The megillah

Every shul in the city reads the megillah on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, many several times, with readings for women and for families with young children. English-speaking communities in Rechavia, Katamon, Baka, the German Colony, Har Nof and Ramat Eshkol publish their times a week or two ahead. Bring a noisemaker for Haman's name.

The parade and the street

Jerusalem brought back its Purim parade, the Adloyada, in 2024 after more than 40 years. In 2025 it ran through the city centre and the light rail ran a split service for the afternoon. The 2027 route and date are usually announced in February; What's on and This week in Jerusalem will list it. Beyond the parade, the city centre, Ben Yehuda Street, the shuk and Nachlaot fill with costumes all day, with street parties into the night.

With children

Most ganim and schools hold a costume party on the last school day before Purim. Costume shops and supermarkets sell out in the final week.
The Biblical Zoo has run a costume contest, and Bloomfield Science Museum and the Israel Aquarium hold Purim events. Jerusalem with kids has more ideas.

Mishloach manot and matanot la'evyonim

Mishloach manot. At least two ready-to-eat foods to at least one person, on Shushan Purim itself in Jerusalem. Mahane Yehuda, Geula and every supermarket sell ready-made packages, and some charities sell them as fundraisers.
Matanot la'evyonim. Gifts to at least two people in need, given on the day. Jerusalem charities that collect and distribute on Purim include Colel Chabad and Meir Panim; most shuls also collect.

Work, shops and transport

Is it a day off? Neither Purim nor Shushan Purim is a legal rest day; it depends on your workplace. Banks close most branches on the 14th but keep Jerusalem's open, and close Jerusalem branches on the 15th.
Schools. Expected to be off on Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 March 2027, back on Thursday 25 March. Check your school's calendar.
Transport. Buses and the light rail run, with diversions around the parade and in Haredi neighbourhoods, where some roads close to private cars on Purim afternoon. Check Moovit before you go out.
Safety. Magen David Adom treats many young people for alcohol poisoning every Purim. Don't drive after the seudah; police set up checkpoints.

Common questions

When is Purim 2027 in Jerusalem?

Jerusalem celebrates Shushan Purim on Wednesday 24 March 2027, with the megillah on Tuesday night 23 March and Wednesday morning. The rest of Israel celebrates on Tuesday 23 March.

Why is Purim a day later in Jerusalem?

Cities that had walls in the time of Joshua celebrate on the 15th of Adar, as the walled city of Shushan did in the Book of Esther. Jerusalem is the one city that certainly qualifies.