Purim 2017 in Tel Aviv

Perhaps it’s the religious edict instructing people to get drunk or maybe the carnival-like tradition of dressing up, but whatever the reason, Purim has become the consensus number one Jewish holiday for fun and partying. Entire cities come to life with a carnival atmosphere of people roaming the streets in costume.

Tel Aviv exemplifies this more than any other city in Israel as the city erupts with exciting events and activities for everybody, from the youngest children and their responsible parents to the most fervent party-goers. Even the municipality gets in on the fun with its annual official Tel Aviv-Jaffa street party in Kikar Hamedina.

Need some costume ideas? Check out our definitive guide to Purim costumes in Tel Aviv >>

Purim Events 2016

While we wait for information on events for Purim 2017, check out what went down on Purim 2016.

Official Tel Aviv Street Party

International house music mainstay Mark Knight will be running things at the city’s biggest and wildest street party.

Get more details >>

Abraham Hostel Tel Aviv Purim Party

Tel Aviv’s newest hostel celebrates its first Purim with 4 DJ’s playing only the funkiest beats deep into the night.

Where: Abraham Hostel Tel Aviv, 21 Levontin Street, Tel Aviv-Yafo
When: March 24, 2016 at 9:00 pm
Cost: Free with signup!
Sign-up: Register now!

Private Rooftop Purim Party

An exclusive, intimate Purim party on the roof of the Brown TLV Hotel featuring a stacked lineup of DJ’s and bartenders slinging handcrafted cocktails all night long

Where: Brown TLV Hotel, 25 Kalisher Street, Tel Aviv-Yafo
When: March 23, 2016 at 9:00 pm
Cost: 100-200 NIS
Tickets: Buy now!

Purim Rave ft. Rank 1

Dutch trance legends Rank 1 take over NOHO club for a massive Purim rave.

Where: NOHO Tel Aviv, 14 Tversky Street, Tel Aviv-Yafo
When: March 23, 2016 at 11:00 pm
Cost: 105 NIS
Tickets: Buy now!

Weekends at the Block Purim Edition

A special 2-night affair featuring DJ’s from Germany, the UK, Norway, Serbia and, of course, Tel Aviv.

Read more about Purim at the Block >>

Bootylicious at Pasaz Purim Edition

A night of costumed booty-shakin’ tunes

Where: Pasaz, 94 Allenby Street, Tel Aviv-Yafo
When: March 24, 2016 at 10:00 pm
Cost: 10 NIS

Soul Train Purim Party

Dust off your bell bottoms and afro wigs for an night of endless soul music, dancing and Soul Train lines with DJ Elad Ron and co.

Where: Pasaz, 94 Allenby Street, Tel Aviv-Yafo
When: March 25, 2016 at 10:00 pm
Cost: 20 (with 70′s costume)-50 NIS

The Spirit of Purim Mega-Party

A massive 3-floor celebration with mainstream music on one floor, old school and Israeli hip hop on another and an awesome rooftop chill zone

Where: The Complex Club, 2 Carlibach Street, Tel Aviv-Yafo
When: March 24, 2016 at 9:00 pm
Cost: 55 NIS
Tickets: Buy now!

Roaring 20′s Purim Party

Live jazz music, premium open bar, delectable snacks, Megillah readin and a generally wild time

Where: ZooZoo, 32 Rothschild Boulevard, Tel Aviv-Yafo
When: March 23, 2016 at 8:30 pm
Cost: 120-150 NIS
Tickets: Buy now!

TAIS Purim Extravaganza

The Tel Aviv International Synagogue is inviting one and all for a rockin’ good time with live music, an open bar, snacks and Megillah reading.

Where: ZooZoo, 32 Rothschild Boulevard, Tel Aviv-Yafo
When: March 23, 2016 at 7:00 pm
Cost: Donations welcome

Disco Party — Abba vs. Boney

Bust out your bell bottoms and gold lame shirts and dresses and take a trip back to one of the most decadent eras — disco all night long.

Where: 23 Frishman Street, Tel Aviv-Yafo
When: March 24, 2016 at 10:00 pm
Cost: 50 NIS
Tickets: Buy now!

Tel Aviv Zombie Walk

Join thousands of locals and tourists as they dress up in their Zombie best and roam the streets of Tel Aviv.

Get more details >>

The Purim Story

In the story of Purim, as written in the Book of Esther, the Persian King Ahaseurus was convinced by his adviser, Haman, to destroy all of the Jewish people in his kingdom. However, in a convenient turn of events — at least for the Jews, the king chose a Jewish bride, Esther, to be his new queen. Esther, with the help of and encouragement of her cousin (or husband, depending on who you ask) managed to turn the king against Haman, thus thwarting his plan and saving the Jewish people.

To celebrate the drastic turnabout in the fortunes of the Jews’ “lot” (“pur” in Hebrew, hence the name Purim) and acknowledge God’s hidden role in the story, Jews dress up and costumes and drink alcohol to symbolize seeing the world from a different point of view.

While those are the most famous traditions associated with the holiday, Purim is not all about dressing up and getting drunk. People also commemorate the story by giving charity to the needy and gifts of food to friends and family.

“They tried to kill us. We won. Let’s eat.” That is the theme of many of the Jewish holidays, and Purim is no exception, except in this case we also drink alcohol, give charity to needy people and give gifts of food to friends.

On Purim, in order to celebrate the complete turn-around of the Jews’ lot (in Hebrew pur – hence the name Purim) and of the hidden face of God in the story, we dress up in costumes and drink alcohol which both help us see the world from a different point of view.

Photos: StateofIsrael/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0