Masks and noisemakers: The celebration of Purim among Jews in the UK
Author(s)
Publication Date
February 2026
Publication Place
Publisher
Abstract
For the first time, this short factsheet report shares data on Purim observance in the UK. The report is based on the responses of over 4,800 adult British Jews to the JPR 2025 Jews in Uncertain Times Survey. It compares Purim observance with that of other Jewish holidays and festivals, and measures which types of Jews are most and least likely to celebrate Purim.
Some of the key findings in this report:
Just under half (49%) of respondents reported celebrating Purim in some way in 2025, making Purim one of the least widely observed festivals, compared with other main Jewish festivals such as Passover, Chanukah and Rosh Hashanah.
Younger people are far more likely to celebrate Purim than older people, with those aged 16–29 most likely to report doing so (63%)
Participation rises steadily with household size: 43% among two-person households, rising to 73% among five-person households.
Households with school-age children are more likely to celebrate Purim than those without, and those with children in Jewish schools are more likely to do so than those with children in non-Jewish schools.
Synagogue members and those who attend a synagogue are much more likely to mark Purim than those who do not belong to a synagogue.
Some of the key findings in this report:
Just under half (49%) of respondents reported celebrating Purim in some way in 2025, making Purim one of the least widely observed festivals, compared with other main Jewish festivals such as Passover, Chanukah and Rosh Hashanah.
Younger people are far more likely to celebrate Purim than older people, with those aged 16–29 most likely to report doing so (63%)
Participation rises steadily with household size: 43% among two-person households, rising to 73% among five-person households.
Households with school-age children are more likely to celebrate Purim than those without, and those with children in Jewish schools are more likely to do so than those with children in non-Jewish schools.
Synagogue members and those who attend a synagogue are much more likely to mark Purim than those who do not belong to a synagogue.
Topics
Genre
Geographic Coverage
Original Language
Link
Link to article including link to pdf, Masks and noisemakers: The celebration of Purim among Jews in the UK
Bibliographic Information
Masks and noisemakers: The celebration of Purim among Jews in the UK. . February 2026: https://archive.jpr.org.uk/object-5151
