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Purim Carnivals and Celebrations Are All Over Los Angeles this Week

Photo courtesy of Alpert JCC
Photo courtesy of Alpert JCC
3/2/20 - By Toby B

Not too sure what Purim is? Let's just say it's something between Hebrew Halloween and Middle Eastern Mardi Gras. Jewish families know Purim as a time of uncharacteristically raucous rabbinical 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. Its story 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 community carnivals all over town. Check out one of the events below for classic Purim activities, costume parades,  carnival games, and boisterous retellings of the Purim story.

And if you know of a great celebration we've missed, please let us know!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Purim Justice Carnival. Photo courtesy of IKAR
Purim Justice Carnival. Photo courtesy of IKAR

Hollywood

Purim 2022: Vax to the Future

Mid-Wilshire
Jump in your DeLorean and grab a snack (hamantaschen, of course) for a night of gathering, revelry-making, time traveling, and joy  Admission to this year's event is free. READ MORE

Purim at the Circus

West Hollywood
Village Synagogue presents its grandest party of the year, a circus-themed Purim party. Every child, as well as adults in costume, gets mishloach manot. READ MORE

Family Purim Shpiel & Celebration

Hollywood
Costumes are encouraged as the Beat Buds headline Temple Israel's Purim kids' carnival.  READ MORE
Photo courtesy of Temple Judea
Photo courtesy of Temple Judea

The Valleys

Adat Ari El’s Purim World

Valley Village
Adat Ari El's Purim World returns to Valley Village with a Purim celebration that's simply magical. The festivities include carnival rides, games, food and great entertainment. READ MORE

Temple Beth Hillel Purim Country Fair

Valley Village
Y'all come down now -- the Purim Carnival at Temple Beth Hillel has a Country Fair theme! The Valley Village celebration includes a giant Ferris Wheel, batting cages, BBQ, and live music.. READ MORE

Purim Carnival (Tarzana)

Tarzana
 Temple Judea hosts the biggest Purim Carnival in the Valley, at the corner of Lindley Avenue and Ventura, with plenty of room for dancing in the street. The area becomes a mini-Disneyland with rides.  READ MORE
Photo courtesy of Santa Monica Synagogue
Photo courtesy of Santa Monica Synagogue

Westside

Pop-up Purim Carnival

Santa Monica
The annual Purim Carnival is back, with carnival games and all sorts of food. Costumes are encouraged. READ MORE

80s Purim Shpiel and Carnival

Beverly Hills
Temple Emanuel's 80s Purim Shpiel and Party is for young families and beyond. READ MORE

Wise Purim Carnival 2024: Peace, Love and Purim

Bel Air
Groovy, man!  This year’s Purim Carnival at Stephen Wise Temple goes back, back in time to the ’60s. READ MORE

Purim Unmasked

Venice
The story of Purim is a redemption tale. Arts 36 Families invite everyone to Open Temple’s Purim bash to explore and celebrate. READ MORE

Purim in Israel (Chabad of Pacific Palisades)

Pacific Palisades
Chabad of the Palisades celebrates Purim in Israel (but it's still in the Palisades). Guests can experience the joy of the land of Israel at this Purim celebration Israel Destination Stations, VR experience, moonbounces, interactive Megillah reading,  and music READ MORE

South Bay

Israeli Style Purim at the Alpert JCC

Long Beach
The Alpert Jewish Community Center is transformed into an immersive experience of Israeli culture. Highlights of this community event include Israeli dancing with Orly Star, a Hamentaschen Walk, live Klezmer and Israeli folk music from The Goldene Medina Klezmer Band. Other fun includes carnival games, bouncers, henna & face painters, stilt walkers and hula hoop workshops, a balloon artist and more. A Tot Zone area offers activities for preschoolers. READ MORE

Totally 80s Purim

Redondo Beach
Temple Menorah's Purim Carnival promises 80s-themed tunes (that's 5780s) and a sort of traditional Purim Shpiel, aka New Queen on the Block. The festivities also include a costume parade, carnival games, 80s karaoke, a bounce house and obstacle course, giant slides, a game truck, a slackline, face painting, and loads of food and treats. READ MORE

Purim in Jerusalem

Palos Verdes
Guests can experience Purim in Jerusalem at the Center for Jewish Life's family brunch  Activities include a Megillah reading, candle making, orange juicing, create-your-own spice blend, halva tasting and a photo booth. READ MORE

Purim with the Flavors of Israel

Lomita
Chabad of South Bay's festive Purim celebration gives guests a taste of Israel. READ MORE

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