Jerusalem old city · March 23 to 24, 2027
Shushan Purim in Jerusalem's old city
Watch fares from to , , , leaving , for in , , on . when .
Finding fares from your airport…
Shushan Purim in Jerusalem's old city
When is Shushan Purim in Jerusalem's old city 2027?
Shushan Purim in Jerusalem's old city 2027 runs March 23 to 24, 2027. The big day is Shushan Purim, Wednesday, March 24, 2027.
2027March 23 to 24, 2027Confirmed
How the dates are set: Shushan Purim is 15 Adar, the day after Purim (14 Adar; Adar II in leap years).
Source: purim.org.il
Shushan Purim in Jerusalem's old city schedule
- Monday evening, March 22, 2027: Purim begins elsewhere in Israel at sunset (14 Adar), with the first reading of the Megillah after nightfall.
- Tuesday evening, March 23, 2027: Purim in Jerusalem begins at sunset (15 Adar). The Megillah is read on the evening of March 23 and again on Wednesday, March 24, 2027.
- Wednesday, March 24, 2027: Purim in Jerusalem continues until nightfall.
- What it looks like: In 2026, Shushan Purim ran from March 3 to 4 and Jerusalem's streets filled with party-goers in costume. Many museums hold special events, and past events have included the Jerusalem Giant Puppet Parade and family activities in Safra Square.
Sources: purim.org.il, touristisrael.com
Getting to Shushan Purim in Jerusalem's old city
- Because Jerusalem celebrates one day later than the rest of Israel, in 2026 visitors could celebrate in Tel Aviv the night before and then head to Jerusalem for another round of festivities.
Source: touristisrael.com
History of Shushan Purim in Jerusalem's old city
Shushan Purim falls on Adar 15 and recalls that fighting in the walled city of Shushan continued through the 14th of Adar, so its residents rested and celebrated on the 15th. By rabbinic decree, cities surrounded by walls at the time of Joshua's conquest observe Purim on Adar 15. Jerusalem is the primary city doing so, while Hebron, Safed, Tiberias and some diaspora cities observe on both the 14th and 15th.
Source: hebcal.com
Shushan Purim in Jerusalem's old city: questions people ask
When is Shushan Purim in 2027?
In Jerusalem it begins at sundown on Tuesday, March 23, 2027, and ends at nightfall on Wednesday, March 24, 2027.
What is the difference between Purim and Shushan Purim?
Purim is on 14 Adar. Shushan Purim is the next day, 15 Adar, when Jerusalem and other cities walled in the time of Joshua celebrate.
When is Purim in 2027?
Purim begins on Monday evening, March 22, 2027, and ends on Tuesday evening, March 23, 2027, after nightfall.
Why does Jerusalem celebrate Purim a day later?
Jerusalem was a walled city in the time of Joshua. The story recalls that fighting in walled Shushan continued through the 14th of Adar, so walled cities celebrate on the 15th.
When is the Megillah read in Jerusalem in 2027?
On Tuesday evening, March 23, and on Wednesday, March 24, 2027.
Do people wear costumes on Purim?
Yes. It is a widespread custom to dress up in costumes and wear masks on Purim, and to eat hamantaschen.
Sources: hebcal.com, purim.org.il
About Shushan Purim in Jerusalem's old city
Costumed crowds and street feasts fill Jerusalem's stone alleys for a walled city Purim.
Purim is celebrated a day later in cities that were walled in ancient times, so Jerusalem keeps a second, quieter Purim called Shushan Purim, filling the old city's alleys with costumes, music and food stalls. Depending on the Hebrew calendar this falls in March most years, with the peak happening on Shushan Purim day itself when the Jewish quarter is at its most festive. The date shifts yearly with the lunar calendar so check the specific date before planning.
Know before you go
- The date is set by the Hebrew calendar and varies by up to three weeks year to year.
- Old city accommodation books up fast around Purim, reserve well in advance.
- Ben Gurion airport is about 60 km from Jerusalem, under an hour by car, train or shared shuttle.
More like this
Every April to MayLag BaOmer at MeronMount Meron, Galilee
Every July to SeptemberJhulan YatraMayapur, West Bengal
Every DecemberDruk Wangyel Tshechu at DochulaDochula Pass
Every AugustGozan no OkuribiDaimonji-yama and the hills of Kyoto
Every AugustDieng Culture FestivalDieng Plateau, Central Java
Every July to SeptemberKeelung Ghost FestivalBadouzi Harbour, Keelung
Every DecemberChawmos, the Kalash winter solstice festivalBumburet, Kalash Valleys, Chitral
Every JulyTenjin MatsuriOsaka Tenmangu and the Okawa River
Every July to SeptemberYu Lan Hungry Ghost FestivalSham Shui Po and Victoria Park, Hong Kong
Every May to JuneGangneung DanojeNamdaecheon Stream, Gangneung
Every August to SeptemberJanmashtami in Mathura and VrindavanVrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
Every AprilKhmer New Year in Siem ReapSiem Reap