What time does Purim start?

What time does Purim start: the direct answer

Purim starts at sundown on Adar 14 in the Jewish calendar. Because the Hebrew calendar is lunisolar, the civil date shifts each year, so Purim can fall between roughly mid-February and early March in the Gregorian calendar. In 2026, Purim begins at sundown on Wednesday, February 24. In 2027, it begins at sundown on Wednesday, March 17. In 2028, it begins at sundown on Tuesday, March 7. Always confirm local sunset (tzeit hakochavim) as the trigger for candle-lighting and the start of Purim observance.

The Hebrew calendar logic behind Purim’s start time

Understanding why Purim’s start time changes requires knowing how the Jewish calendar works. Key points include:

• Lunisolar design: The calendar months follow the moon (≈29.5 days), while years stay aligned with the solar year through occasional leap months.
• Adar placement: In non-leap years, Adar is the twelfth month; in leap years, a second Adar (Adar II) follows Adar I, pushing Purim into Adar II.
• Month beginnings: Each month starts at the new moon (molad). Calendar calculations determine the start of Adar 14, which is then confirmed by observed or calculated sunset.

Fixed calendar arithmetic and dechiyot

Jewish calendar math includes built-in rules (dechiyot) to prevent certain calendar conflicts. While calendar calculations are fixed, the translation of those calculations into civil dates requires conversion that depends on location and daylight saving time. This means the clock time of sunset must be checked locally to know when Purim starts in practice.

Practical steps to confirm Purim start time in your city

Because start times hinge on local sunset, follow these steps to determine Purim’s exact beginning:

1. Identify your location and time zone, including daylight saving status.
2. Find the sunset (tzeit hakochavim) time for that date from a reliable source: a rabbinate, local synagogue, recognized Jewish calendar app, or astronomical almanac.
3. Use a trusted Jewish calendar resource that annotates Purim with candle-lighting times and confirms it matches sunset on Adar 14.
4. For festivals, many communities observe an earlier time when women light candles; default to sunset unless your community follows a published minhag.

Regional, denominational, and minhag differences

While Purim universally begins at sundown on Adar 14, nuances affect minhag and observance timing:

• Minhag differences: Some communities light candles earlier on Purim itself (unlike Shabbat or Yom Tov), while others align candle-lighting closely with sunset.
• Mishloach manot and matanot laevyonim: These mitzvot can be performed during daylight hours of Purim, after the start of the day.
• Reading the Megillah: Typically at night (after start of Purim) and again the next morning; exact start time can affect scheduling in communities with sunset well before or after typical evening hours.

Quick reference: Purim start clock times by year (sundown = start)

How Purim relates to other fast days and festivals

Placing Purim in context helps anticipate transitions and avoid confusion:

• Shushan Purim: In walled cities from the time of Joshua (notably Jerusalem and Shushan), Purim is observed on Adar 15; the day still begins at sundown, one calendar day later for those locations.
• Ta’anit Esther: The Fast of Esther is held on Adar 13, the day before Purim begins at sundown.
• Megillah readings: Night reading occurs after Purim starts; morning reading occurs during daylight hours on the following day.

Key terms to know about Purim timing

• Adar 14: The calendar date on which Purim begins at sundown.
• Tzeit hakochavim (sunset): Local visible sunset, which marks the start of the Jewish calendar day.
• Mekabel al hashalom: Accepting Purim obligations at its start; practices vary by community.
• Shushan Purim: Observance on Adar 15 in certain historic walled cities.
• Minhag: Local or family custom that may affect candle-lighting or Megillah timing.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Purim’s start time

• Does Purim always start at the same clock time? No. It follows local sunset, which shifts earlier or later in clock time across seasons and years.
• Can I begin Purim observance before official sunset? Practices vary; many begin candle-lighting at tzeit hakochavim. Check local minhag for precision.
• What if I’m in a location with very late or very early sunset? Follow your community’s customs and the guidance of your rabbinate, especially around extreme twilight conditions.
• Is Purim ever two days? Outside of historic walled cities, Purim is one day (Adar 14). In Jerusalem and similar locations, the main day is Adar 15, with the start at sundown.
• Do Reform or Conservative communities change the start time? Denominational approaches may differ in minhag, but the canonical start remains sundown on Adar 14 (or Adar 15 where applicable).

Reliable sources for confirming Purim start times

For accurate, location-specific times, use:

• Hebrew calendar APIs and Jewish calendar apps that annotate festivals with candle-lighting times.
• Local synagogues, rabbis, or Jewish community centers that publish minhag-specific schedules.
• Established Jewish organizations (OU, Chabad, local beit din) that provide verified timetables.
• Astronomical sunset tables for civil reference, cross-checked with halakhic tzeit tables.

Summary and takeaways

Purim begins at sundown on Adar 14, as determined by local visible sunset. Calendar math fixes the month and date framework, but the clock time shifts seasonally. Confirm with trusted local sources to set candle-lighting, Megillah reading, and festive meal timing. The core answer is consistent across traditions: Purim starts when the sun sets on Adar 14, adjusted for location and minhag.