Purim 2026
This year, Purim begins Monday, March 2.
The Grad Network is offering a variety of experiences for Purim celebration. Choose from the menu of options below to craft a holiday experience that is meaningful to you!
Hamantaschen & Mishloach Manot
5 - 6:30 p.m. | February 25 | The Kraft Center- 2nd Floor
In preparation for Purim, bake hamentaschen and create gift bags for friends!
5-6:30 p.m. February 25 | Kraft Center 2nd Floor.
Reach out to Melissa, Director of The Grad Network with any questions.
This experience is offered at no cost because of generous gifts to The Columbia/Barnard Hillel Annual Fund.
Purim Lunch & Matanot L’evyonim
12-1:30 p.m. | March 3 | The Kraft Center- 6th Floor
Enjoy a Purim feast and assemble care packages for those in need. This experience is planned in partnership with Repair the World.
This experience is offered at no cost because of generous gifts to The Columbia/Barnard Hillel Annual Fund.
The Grad Network Purim Party
8 p.m. | March 5 | Amity Hall Uptown (982 Amsterdam Ave)
The Grad Network invites you to a slightly belated, yet super festive, Purim Party 8-9:30 p.m. March 5 at Amity Hall Uptown, located at 982 Amsterdam Avenue.
Registration includes drinks, speciality cocktails, Kosher vegetarian food, and joyful community.
Cost should not be a barrier to participate. If you are unable to pay and would like to attend Climate Shabbat, please email Melissa.
This experience is generously subsidized by The Columbia/Barnard Hillel Annual Fund.
Purim Celebrations Throughout New York City
Students in The Grad Network community are welcome to participate in Purim celebrations happening across the city.
We will continuously update this section with more information, as it becomes available. If you’re not finding what you’re looking for, email Melissa, Director of The Grad Network. Melissa will help you find Megillah readings and Purim experiences that best fit how you want to celebrate.
If you would like to attend any holiday experiences and need assistance covering the cost of Purim tickets, you are welcome to apply for a Meaningful Jewish Experience Grant from The Grad Network.
Pre-Purim Pregame
7 p.m. February 17 | Eshel & JQY
Join Eshel and JQY for our first 20s & 30s program of 2026! Ring in Rosh Chodesh Adar with a wine and cheese Purim pre-game at the JCC with new and familiar faces. This will be a great opportunity to ideate about your Purim costume, if you haven’t yet come up with one yet! This 20s & 30s event is 21+ and free to attend.
Topsy-Turvy Drag Bingo
7:15 p.m. February 27 | Congregation Rodeph Sholom 20s&30s
Join us after Services for a lively, joy-filled night of drag bingo and Purim fun. Costumes highly encouraged. Enjoy festive bites, an open bar, and a live DJ as we celebrate the spirit of Purim, where everything is upside down! (For ages 21 and up.)
Family Purim Party
10 a.m. March 1 | Kehillat Harlem
Join us for a joyful Purim celebration featuring hands-on hamentaschen making, Purim fun and laughter, costumes, and community! We’re also excited to welcome Melanie Goldberg Silver, the author of Bedtime Stories for Strong Jewish Girls for a special reading, highlighting the bravery of Jewish heroes (like Queen Esther)!
Shalom Harlem: Pre-Purim Family Meet-Up
10 a.m. March 1 | Tzibur Harlem
Shalom Harlem is a space for young Jewish families with kids ages 0-6 to learn, connect, and play. We'll sing, dance, play games, tell stories, and just hang. Our Pre-Purim Meetup will include a special Purim storytime, songs, and activities with early childhood educator Aviva Lou Strong!
Snacks and a light brunch (for adults and for kids) provided.
Purim Celebration and Multi-Lingual Megillah Reading
6 p.m. March 2 | Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Purim with CBST is always a fabulous night of revelry!
Join us as we retell the story of queens and villains and victory.
We'll begin at 6:00pm with a festive Purim Musical Maariv service, our all-congregation Costume Parade, and our signature multi-lingual Megillah Reading featuring more than a dozen languages!
Come in your finest Over the Rainbow costume and get ready to ease on down that glittering yellow brick road to Shushan!
Purim Happy Hour
6 p.m. March 2 | B’nai Jeshurun Aviv
Before the BJ Purim Spiel kicks off, gather for a pre-spiel happy hour with fellow 20s + 30s! Join friends from BJ and Base UWS to connect over drinks, mingle, and meet a great crew to celebrate with all night long.
Purim 2026: Olympus After Dark
6 p.m. March 2 | Kehillat Harlem
Join us for Olympus After Dark, a Purim celebration inspired by Ancient Greece’s most legendary nights: the Symposium (where wine flowed and big ideas, and bad takes, were shared freely), and the Bacchanalia (where there were moments of joyful disorder, restraint was set aside, and revelry reigned.
For Such A Night As This
6:30 p.m. March 2 | Tzibur Harlem
Once, in a palace not so far away, the world turned upside down.
A queen found her voice. Power changed hands.
There was feasting, foolishness, danger, and song.
This year, we gather for
a night of reversals.
Of old stories told a little sideways.
A little palace intrigue,
And a lot of holy chaos.
Come celebrate survival.
Come celebrate the turning of things.
Come exactly as you are,
or as someone else, just for the night.
Purim Morning Service & Megillah Reading
9:30 a.m. March 3 | Congregation Rodeph Sholom
Join our clergy for a festive chanting of the Megillah, recounting the story of Esther and King Ahashueros with learning and discussion. After the service, we will enjoy Hamantaschen together!