Purim bursts open this year on Saturday evening, Feb. 23. But the celebration starts this week!
If you are looking for some pull-out-all-the-stops Purim fun…look here.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10

Southbury – Purim Palooza; cookie decorating, costume crafts, grogger making, music, hamantaschen, megillah stories; children can also decorate Mishloach Manot bags to be delivered to the elderly; hosted by the Jewish Federation of Western CT and PJ Library; 3 – 5 p.m.; (203) 267-3177 x307, rsvp@jfed.net. $5 requested donation for Mashloach Manot bags

Stamford – Purim Carnival: Wild West; dress up in western gear and enjoy food, carnival games, inflatables and more; 1 – 4 p.m.; Stamford JCC, 1035 Newfield Ave., (203) 487-0971, www.stamfordjcc.org, vclark@stamfordjcc.org. Tickets for games and attractions.

Trumbull – “Vashti’s Feast,” a women’s Purim festival with exotic foods, dancing, storytelling, pampering, shopping bazaar, entertainment; for women ages 13 and up; women are encouraged to dress in caftans, jeweled shirts, harem pants, lots of jewelry; Congregation B’nai Torah, 5700 Main St., (203) 268-6940, info@bnaitorahct.org. $18 in advance/$25 at the door

West Hartford – Kids’ Purim Festival for preschoolers through 10-year olds and their families; come in costume; games, face painting, crafts, snacks; 10:30 a.m. – noon; Purim shpiel at 11:30 a.m.; The Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Dr., (860) 233-2774, school@emanuelsynagogue.org.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23

Westport – Purim Festivities and Fun; Purim shpiel by Rabbi Greg Schindler featuring synagogue youth, with megillah reading before and after; hamentashen and ice cream; 7:45 p.m.; Beit Chaverim Synagogue, 85 Post Rd. West, (203) 227-3333.

West Hartford – “The ‘Ganza’ Megilla and karaoke,” Purim celebration; reading of the megilla; hamantashen; refreshments; 7:30 p.m.; Beth El Temple; 2626 Albany Ave., (860) 233-9696

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24
Newington – Purim Service, 10:30 a.m., followed by Purim Carnival; Temple Sinai, 41 West Hartford Rd., (860) 561-1055.

Trumbull – Purim Carnival; family fun day including games, prizes, crafts and face painting; wear a costume and get free game tickets; refreshments and lunch available; advance game ticket sale are available at a reduced cost; Congregation B’nai Torah, 5700 Main St., (203) 268-6940, bnaitorahct@sbcglobal.net.

West Hartford – “Hip Hop Hamantashen Family Concert,” featuring entertainment by the Mama Doni Band; 3 – 4 p.m., make your own hamantashen, groggers and masks, listen to a new book The Purim Superhero; 4 – 5 p.m., Mama Doni Band; Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Ave., (860) 236-4571. FREE members/$10 non-members

West Hartford – Purim Shpiel and Carnival; shpiel at 10:30 a.m., followed by carnival at 11:30 a.m.; lunch available for purchase; Beth El Temple 2626 Albany Ave., (860) 233-9696.

West Hartford – Early Childhood Purim Celebration! For kids ages 5 and under; wear a costume; mini-carnival; 11 a.m.; Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Ave., (860) 233-9696.

Westport – Megillah reading, 10 a.m.; talent show or Torah study, 11 a.m.; Purim Seudah (BBQ lunch) with face painting, prizes and more at 12:15 p.m. Wear a costume! Beit Chaverim Synagogue, 85 Post Rd. West, (203) 227-3333. FREE, lunch reservations a must by Feb. 19.