Jewish children put on a colourful show as they celebrate Purim in London

The streets of north London were awash with colour today as hundreds of Jewish children dressed up in celebration of the festival of Purim. 

Little police officers, Beefeaters, bears, Dobby the House Elf and a Boris Johnson skipped through Stamford Hill as they honoured the centuries-old tradition.

Typically, the event would see parades through the streets but the Covid pandemic meant this year’s festivities were a pared-down, socially distanced affair. 

Dating back some 2,500 years, the ancient festival commemorates the survival of the Jewish people who had been marked for death in ancient Persia.

It celebrates the courage of Esther, Queen of Persia, who stopped a genocide of her people after the king of Persia’s adviser hatched a plan to murder all Jewish people.

These youngsters pulled out all the stops as they donned clown wigs, make up and fluorescent tights to mark the festival today

They look familiar: One child donned this rather unsettling costume in the likeness of PM Boris Johnson and former President Donald Trump 

Allo’ Allo’ Allo’! These three youngsters looked ready to patrol the streets of London in their police get-ups 

Bad Dobby! This Harry Potter fan became Dobby the House Elf for the festival of Purim today 

One lucky little girl became a princess for the day – but still had to make her way to school with her mother 

Siblings and friends wore matching dress for the day in London. Purim commemorates the defeat of Haman, the advisor to the Persian king, and his plot to massacre the Jewish people

This family were the best dressed in the neighbourhood – with dad even dressing up for the occasion too 

Dating back some 2,500 years, the ancient festival commemorates the survival of the Jewish people who had been marked for death in ancient Persia

One arty family put on a colourful display as they strolled through the neighbourhood in north London today 

The celebration commemorates the day Esther, Queen of Persia, saved the Jewish people from execution by Haman, the advisor to the Persian king. 

In Israel, even adults go to work wearing costumes and dress up to go to the synagogue. 

The festival is celebrated on the 14th of the Hebrew month Adar. Jewish communities celebrate by listening to the Book of Esther which tells the story of a Hebrew woman in Persia, Esther, who becomes queen of Persia and thwarts a genocide of her people. 

Costumes are worn on Purim in honour of Esther, who masqueraded as a non-Jew and dressed up as a queen to unveil the plot against her people.

The story forms the core of the Jewish festival of Purim, during which it is read aloud twice; once in the evening and again the following morning.

The evening before Purim, Jewish people do not typically eat or drink, but during the festival they enjoy a lavish feast with wine.

Drunkenness is usually discouraged by Jewish law but it is considered a mitzvah – religious duty – to drink alcohol on Purim. 

According to the tale, Haman’s ears were cut off as a part of his punishment. The cookies eaten on Purim, Humentaschen, translate to ‘ears of Haman’. 

Costumes are worn on Purim in honour of Esther, who masqueraded as a non-Jew and dressed up as a queen to unveil the plot against her people

Purim typically includes costumes and elaborate public celebrations marking a story dating from fourth-century Persia that saw Jews defeat a murderous plot against them

Inspired by dressage and showjumping, these youngsters donned matching jodhpurs, boots and hats for the event 

Parents pulled out all the stops as they dressed their children up for the day in colourful wigs and costumes