The joyous holiday of Purim begins Wednesday evening, February 28 with the reading of the Book of Esther. Here is a schedule of Purim celebrations all across the state.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25

Greenwich – PJ Library Sunday Funday; Purim Palooza with Bitty City Players for preschoolers; Hamentashen Bake-off for grades K-2; Jewish Comic Con with cartoonist Arie Kaplan for grades 3-5; hosted by UJA-JCC Greenwich; 3:30 – 4:45 p.m.; at YWCA Greenwich, 259 E. Putnam Ave., ujajcc.org, (203) 552-1818. $15/in advance, $25/at the door.

Stamford – Tropical Purim Carnival; hamantaschen, games, bounce house, and much more; volunteers needed; tickets and lunch available for purchase; 1 – 4 p.m.; Stamford JCC, 1035 Newfield Ave., (203) 487-0973, jsamuel@stamfordjcc.org.

West Hartford – Annual Purim Shpiel and Carnival; megillah reading at 9:30 a.m., followed by shpiel and party; family entertainment, including pizza, hamentaschen, bounce houses, games, balloon artistry, face painting; for adults, a “Haman’s Hideout” room; entertainment by a klezmer band; Congregation Beth Israel, 701 Farmington Ave. FREE

West Hartford – “Partners in Creation: Masking and Unmasking for Purim: An Art and Torah Experience,” with Rabbi Debra Cantor and Melinda Wright; no experience required; 10:30 a.m.; Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Ave., (860) 243-3576, office@btsonline.org. $5/BTS, JCC members, $7/non-members (materials included).

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28

Bloomfield – Celebrate Purim: 7 p.m.; B’nai Tikvoh-Sholom, 180 Still Rd. FREE, reservation requested.

Bridgeport – Masquerade Purim Dinner following ma’ariv and megillah reading; prizes for costumes, gifts for everyone; 6 p.m.; Congregation Ahavath Achim of Fairfield, hosted at 85 Arlington St., (203) 372-6529, office@ahavathachim.org. $10/adults, $5/ages 11-16, FREE/children 10 and under.

West Hartford – Purim Gala Celebration; 6:15 p.m., three separate Megillah readings (traditional, quiet and women’s); 7 p.m., mega-party with music, games, entertainment and food; Beth David Synagogue, (860) 236-1241. $10/adults, $8/children, $45/family max.

West Hartford – Celebrate Purim; pizza, 5:30 p.m.; megillah reading, 6 p.m.; Purim Café, 7:30 p.m.; activities include gaga, photo booth; The Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Dr., (860) 236-1275. FREE

THURSDAY, MARCH 1

New Haven – The Big Gulp Purim Seuda for all ages; light dairy/pareve dinner; music, drink, fun; costumes encouraged; 5 – 7 p.m.; Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel (BKI), 85 Harrison St., (203) 389-2108 x14. $10/ person, $18/family, if reservations made by Feb. 26 (more at the door).

SATURDAY, MARCH 3

South Windsor – Masquerade Purim Party; light dinner buffet, silent auction, DJ with dancing, photo booth, Head or Tails raffle; beer and wine; come as you are or in costume; doors open at 5:30 p.m., entertainment begins at 6 p.m.; at Temple Beth Hillel, (860) 282-8466, tbhsw.org. $25/in advance (until Feb. 28), $30/at the door.

SUNDAY, MARCH 4

Greenwich – Harry Potter-themed Purim Carnival; games, prizes, face painting, obstacle course and more; special activitites for preschool and younger; costumes encouraged; 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; Temple Sholom, 300 East Putnam Ave., (203) 869-7191, templesholom.com.