It’s Purim in Jerusalem – Best Costume and Parade Photos

Favorites of Jerusalem Purim 2025 in Photos

Purim is a major festival time in Jerusalem, Israel.

Even though we celebrated this year on a day when the Megillah Esther was not read,

on the Jerusalem streets, it is hard to miss the color and celebrations.

Store windows are lined with food gift baskets of all sizes to give as Mishloah Manot.

Readings for Megillah Esther seem to be everywhere and every hour in some neighborhoods.

We went to a small synagogue this year where red hats were in vogue in various styles. We were able to hear every word. In many larger congregations, the noisemakers drown out the reader.

Some masks were good disguise, but not so pleasant,

but this woman’s mask was a Purim favorite.

This year Purim stretched over 3 days from Thursday night to Sunday night. However, Sunday was when the main events were held on the Jerusalem streets, with a Purim Parade starting in the morning and dancing in the streets into the afternoon.

The police band led off the parade, with the yellow ribbon for the hostages behind, followed by the Mayor and honored guests, the families of hostages.

The Train Theater developed dozens of new floats. This guy was a favorite of mine.,

Her smile at the start of the Parade was also a favorite.

Characters in costume interacted with the thousands of spectators of all ages that lined the route.

Imagine walking the Jerusalem streets on stilts! I have enough trouble in flat shoes.

One colorful creation after another, some hard to describe,

moved slowly along the Jerusalem streets.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Purim-Parade-144-1024x544.jpg

Short ones and long ones, dozens of creations to entertain on Purim.

These young acrobats were impressive to watch as they flipped along the Jerusalem streets.

This man won my best spectator hat prize, I wish I had captured the plant before or after he passed the tree so you could see the forest on his head more clearly.

Some spectators’ costumes were as impressive as the parade participants,

like this guy who walked by – oh my.

There was a new huge yellow lion this year,

plus little ducks in a row.

Even a live animal walking along with the hundreds of people in the parade was appreciated.

Colorfully dressed belly dancers performed as they walked,

while agile young athletes did impressive stunts.

And yes, Spider-Man was there, along with the white doves, marchers, floats, and more.

It was warm and sunny and a great day for a parade,

but that was not all…

We went to a family Purim Seuda, a holiday meal with lots of grilled meats and salads.

However, this was not our family meal.

As Purim was ending, President Herzog hosted an elegant Iftar, a Ramadan break fast meal, at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence, for Israeli and Arab leaders.

I recognized and got a smile from IDF Arabic spokesperson Colonel Avichay Adrae.

The dessert looked amazing but after eating all day, it was time to go home and not try the treats.

I went by this sign on the way home, “Am Yisrael Chai” Israel has been at war for over 500 days with 59 hostages, but life goes on on the Jerusalem streets as thousands of our finest risk their lives in the north and south on reserve duty. Their young families try to keep going on the home front.

Purim is a day of upside-downs, but that was not all…

It’s not easy, and hard to believe – but the Nation of Israel not only lives but thrives.

Happy Purim from Jerusalem 2025

A favorite classic Purim in Jerusalem, Israel, image.

Happy Purim on Jerusalem Montefiore Windmill

The Montefiore Windmill decorated for Purim during the pandemic.

This year, the central Jerusalem, Israel celebration will be held on Sunday, March 16, 2025 –

The Jerusalem Marching Together Giant Puppet Parade event of the Purim celebrations in Jerusalem will assemble on King David Street at 10:00 AM and begin moving at 11:00 AM.

The parade will pass through King David Street and King Solomon Street, turn at Tzahal Square onto Jaffa Street, and conclude its route on King George Street in front of the old Mashbir building, like last year.

פורים שמח

Purim Sameach

Happy Purim

Purim Old, New and Ignored in Jerusalem

Purim celebrations went on for days and days,

in Jerusalem, Israel.

bus sign Happy Purim

As usual, the bus signs said, “Purim sameach.”

Purim carnival

Families celebrated with carnivals and rides for the kids.

Purim Jerusalem, Israel

Groups like the scouts had loud parties.

ice skating Israel

For the first year in Cinema City an ice skating rink was open,

image woman with face painted as animal

and this woman had her face painted to purrfection.

image man in skeleton costume

People in costumes,

cinema city Jerusalem

and well, even this whatever it was.

There was a lot happening on the streets,

Purim fun Jerusalem

 with people in a good mood having lot’s of fun.

Celebrations and huge meals,

and yes, many people drank too much.

News film crews were out

and got videos of drunken men on the street.

But, not one international film crew came on Purim

to the Israeli Foreign Ministry Building,

first votes for Israeli elections

where for the first time, some Israelis working overseas

were able to vote in advance of the March 17 election.

Israel elections

A live feed from Tbilisi, Pretoria, New Delhi and Berlin,

showed some of the locations where diplomats were voting.

photo Salim Joubran

Israel Supreme Court Justice Salim Joubran,

chairman of the Central Elections Committee,

on Purim, Thursday, March 5, 2015,

visited the situation room in the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem

to observe the elections taking place at Israel’s diplomatic missions abroad.

A prominent Arab juridical figure overseeing Israeli elections,

discussed Israel’s being a democracy.

This topic may not fit the media narrative,

but it is what was happening in Jerusalem.