What’s Happening: Purim Festivities

SAT MARCH 16

Shushan Neighborhood
The Reform community’s annual temple-wide Purim celebration features a day of fun, costumes, music, food and laughter. 3-5 p.m. carnival opens; 3-4 p.m. mitzvah fair; 5 p.m. spiel; 5:45 p.m. carnival reopens; 7:30 p.m. raffle winner announcement. $25 per wristband. Temple Isaiah, 10345 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 277-2772. .

SUN MAR 17

Pizza and Pints Purim
An evening of Purim debauchery and healing the world takes place during Open Temple’s “Pizza and Pints Purim.” Partygoers dance, move, wrestle, rap, read the Megillah and feed the homeless. Kombucha and beer for adults; pizza and soda for the kids. 4-7 p.m. Free. RSVP. Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice. (310) 821-1414.

Purim in Santa Monica
Game booths, unique vendors, rides, food trucks, a raffle contest and other attractions highlight the Santa Monica Community Purim Carnival 2019. The Santa Monica Synagogue and Beth Shir Shalom co-sponsor. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. 1448 18th St., between Broadway and Santa Monica Boulevard. (310) 453-4276.

Saddle Up for Wild Wise West
Little cowgirls and cowboys celebrate Purim at “Wild Wise West,” Stephen Wise Temple’s Purim carnival. 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. $20 ages 2-4 years old, $40 for kids 5-18 years old, free for adults and kids younger than 2. Prices rise after noon March 15. Stephen Wise Temple, 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 476-8561.

Wild Wild, West
Harkening to an earlier age, bull-riding highlights Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy’s Wild Wild West Purim Carnival. Euro-bungee, pony rides, a giant slide, archery, a petting zoo, a dunk tank and photo booth await. Wristbands required for children 3-18 for rides and activities and for adults wishing to ride the bull or Euro-bungee. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Wristbands $30 until March 14. $36 at the door.  Free for children younger than 3. Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy, 9120 Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 276-6135. .

WED MAR 20

Purim Justice Carnival
Dress in costume, dance, drink, celebrate justice and partake in major noisemaking at IKAR’s Purim Justice Carnival. Bring your own grogger in the form of a pasta box, rice, cereal or whatever non-perishable food that makes noise. All donations will be brought to SOVA after the party. 6:30 p.m. Mini Megillah and costume parade for kids of all ages. Bar opens for adults. 7 p.m. Megillah reading and spiel. Free, but RSVP recommended. 8:15 p.m. party. $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Valet parking, $10. Candela La Brea, 831 S. La Brea Ave.  (323) 634-1870.

“Estheria”
The Pico-Union Project and its friends at Nefesh, East Side Jews and The Living Room collaborate on “Estheria,” an Israeli-style Purim celebration, featuring a costume contest with prizes, live music, line dancing led by Tina Michelle, snacks, a cash bar and the Purim story told from alternative points of view. 7 p.m. party starts. 7:30 p.m. Purim story. $20. Pico-Union Project, 1153 Valencia St., Los Angeles. (213) 915-0084.

Shushan Funk
During a Purim spiel just for adults, the strictly modern music of Bruno Mars blends with tradition. Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills clergy perform in a spiel of the Esther and Mordechai story, while hamantashen, Hamantinis and appetizers are served and the Megillah is read. 7 p.m. Free admission to the spiel. Drink tickets: 2 for $10, 5 for $20. Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, 8844 Burton Way, Beverly Hills. (310) 288-3737.

Pasadena Purim
Purim at the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center features a Purim spiel, a taste of schnapps and sangria and, of course, the Megillah reading. 7 p.m. Free. Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, 1434 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena. (626) 798-1161.

Costume, Humor and Movie
An evening of Purim merriment takes place at Hollywood Temple Beth El. Highlights include a Megillah reading; a screening of the classic film “Hester Street,” following Jewish immigrants who come to the Lower East Side; Russian folk dance and refreshments. Come dressed in costume and bring a dessert or a light liquor to share along with a canned or boxed food for charity. 7:30 p.m. Free. Hollywood Temple Beth El, 1317 N. Crescent Heights Blvd., West Hollywood. (323) 656-3150.

THU MARCH 21

“Purim in Candyland”
Candy canes, lollipops and gumballs galore, a sweet celebration is in store at the Friendship Circle of Los Angeles’ “Purim in Candyland” for children with special needs and their families. 5:30-8 p.m. Friendship Circle of Los Angeles, 1952 S. Robertson Blvd. RSVP to Chanie@fcla.org or call (310) 280-0955.

Sephardic Purim
Games, prizes and nosh highlight Sephardic Temple’s family-friendly Purim carnival. All children must be accompanied by an adult. 4-6:30 p.m. $35 for members (ages 5-15), $40 general and at the door. Sephardic Temple, 10500 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 991-6032.