156 days until Purim 2027

Each weekday until Purim 2027

Counting the days after today, up to and including Monday, March 22, 2027. Useful for counting school days, work shifts or a weekly class before Purim.

About Purim

Purim is a joyful Jewish holiday that recalls events told in the Book of Esther, set in the Persian Empire. According to the story, the king's chief minister, Haman, was angered when Mordechai, a Jewish leader, refused to bow to him, and he persuaded King Ahasuerus to order the killing of every Jew in the empire. Haman chose the date by casting lots, or purim, which gave the holiday its name. Queen Esther, Mordechai's cousin, risked her life by revealing her Jewish identity to the king, Haman was executed, and the Jews were allowed to defend themselves and prevailed.

The holiday falls on the 14th of Adar. In a Hebrew leap year, which adds a second month of Adar, Purim moves to Adar II. Because Jewish days begin at sundown, Purim starts on the evening of the date shown here, with the first public reading of the Megillah, the scroll of Esther; it is read again the next morning. In Jerusalem and other cities walled since ancient times, Purim is held one day later, on the 15th of Adar, as Shushan Purim, because the fighting in the walled city of Shushan lasted a day longer.

Purim has four central customs: hearing the Megillah, sending gifts of food to friends, giving money to at least two people in need and sharing a festive meal. During the reading, listeners drown out Haman's name with noisemakers called groggers, stamping and booing. Children and adults dress in costumes, many synagogues hold Purim plays called spiels and bakeries fill with hamantaschen, three-cornered cookies stuffed with poppy seed, jam or chocolate. The day before Purim is usually the Fast of Esther, recalling the queen's fast before she approached the king.

How we check dates and facts: see our sources.

Purim by year