Planning to visit Iran in 2019? Get the most out of your experience! Learn here about the most important holidays in Iran - fast and easy with PersianPod101!
| February 11, 2019 | Anniversary of the Islamic Revolution |
| March 20, 2019 | Oil Nationalization Day |
| March 20, 2019 | Birthday of Imam Ali -Father’s day |
| March 21, 2019 | New Year Day |
| March 21, 2019 | Nowrooz |
| April 1, 2019 | Day of Islamic Republic |
| April 2, 2019 | Sizdehbedar or Nature Day |
| April 3, 2019 | Prophet’s Ascension |
| April 20, 2019 | Imam Mahdi’s birthday |
| May 26, 2019 | Martyrdom of Imam Ali |
| June 4, 2019 | Imam Khomeini’s Demise |
| June 5, 2019 | Anniversary of Uprising Against the Shah - Revolt of Khordad 15 |
| June 5, 2019 | Eeid-e Fetr |
| June 28, 2019 | Martyrdom of Imam Sadeq |
| August 11, 2019 | Eid-e-Ghorban (Feast of Sacrifice) |
| August 19, 2019 | Eid-e-Ghadir |
| September 8, 2019 | Tassoua |
| September 9, 2019 | Ashura |
| October 19, 2019 | Arbaeen |
| November 14, 2019 | Birthday of Prophet Muhammad and Imam Sadeq |
| November 28, 2019 | Martyrdom of Imam Reza |
How well do you know holidays in Iran?
In this article, you learn all about the top Iran holidays and the traditions and history behind them. Check the must-know Persian vocabulary for popular holidays in Iran too!
That way, you can easily talk about Iranian holidays while improving your vocabulary and overall speaking skills. You will pick up key vocab, phrases, and cultural insights you won’t find in a textbook.
Perfect for any student interested in learning more about Iranian culture. We will teach you the what, why, when and how of Iran holidays.
Also called the Ten Days of Dawn, the Anniversary of the Islamic Revolution is celebrated on February 11, and is the commemoration of the 1979 revolution which caused the fall of the Pahlavi dynasty. On this day, Iranians take a march to Azadi Tower.
Oil is the most prevalent natural resource in Iran. Consideration of the economic role of oil in Iran across all economic spheres is the basis for discussing the importance of the nationalization of Iran’s oil industry. In 1901 CE, or 1280 on the solar calendar, most of the rights to discover, extract, utilize, and sell Iranian oil were granted to a British national named William D’Arcy, leaving very little by way of rights to oil to Iranians. The conflict over Iran’s oil became a major dispute that lasted for years. Eventually, on the 29th of Esfand, 1329 on the solar calendar, the “Law of Nationalization of Iran’s Oil” was approved, which gave all the rights to Iran’s oil to the government of Iran.
A large number of people, including non-Muslim intellectuals, have much praise for Imam Ali, who was Mohammad’s successor.
In Iran, the New Year traditionally begins on the first day of spring, typically sometime around March 20. Iranians start their New Year as the earth awakens from its winter hibernation and plants spring forth from the ground, which is why the New Year is called Nowrooz, meaning “new day” in Persian. The first food eaten in the New Year is usually Sabzi Polo baa Maahi, a dish comprised of rice, fish, chopped vegetables, spices, salt, and oil.
During Nowrooz, members of Iranian families gather around the Sofre-ye Haft-Seen, literally meaning “the seven ‘S’s table,” to wish each other a happy New Year, eat dinner, and relax together. Nowrooz activities actually begin several days before the Eid. In each household, family members clean, wash, and tidy up their living spaces in preparation for the Eid, which means feast.
April 1 marks the Day of Islamic Republic, and officially became a public holiday not long after the Islamic Revolutionof 1979. This is a highly revered day to Iranians, and is seen as an opportunity to teach young people about the country’s significance and to spend time with the important people in your life.
Sizdah-Bedar is the name of the thirteenth day in Farvardin, which is also the final day of the Nowrooz holidays in Iran. Since ancient times, spending Nature Day outside has been commonplace among Iranians. Most families go to the park (park), or to the bank of a river. There, they set a piece of cloth on the ground, have dinner and tea, and enjoy the beauty of the nature around them. Sometimes, they spend their day doing fun activities like playing music and exercising. Another common and popular tradition on Sizdah-Bedar is tying knots in the grass. This act symbolizes their desire for good fortune and their hopes to be married soon.
Mab’as Feast is a celebration of the day on which Mohammad was selected by God Almighty as his messenger (payaambar). Celebrations of Mab’as Feast are held on the 27th of Rajab, the seventh month of the lunar calendar, by Shia Muslims. On this day, people pray, fast, and perform ablutions, commemorating this event with great fervor. Another common practice on this day is called Salawat, which consists of uttering salutations and wishes of peace upon Mohammad and his household.
Mid-Sh’aban, in Persian referred to as Nimeye Sh’abaan, indicates the middle of the month of Sh’aban, and is the day that marks the birth of Hazrat-e Mahdi, the last Imam of Shiites. This day is widely recognized as a jubilant and auspicious day in Iran and is a day of great festivity. The entire country is illuminated with light bulbs and decorations on a grand scale. With lights flashing on almost every wall in every city, the night is illuminated and colorful, and the streets become crowded. Free cookies, drinks, and foods are distributed among people, and many speeches are held in different locations.
On the 19th day of Ramadan, Imam Ali, the first Imam of Shia Muslims, was struck down with a great blow while praying in a mosque, and on the 21st he succumbed to his injuries, thereby becoming a martyr. These days are regarded as public mourning days all around the country.
This day is the commemoration of when Imam Khomeini, a strong Iranian leader, faced his demise.
On June 5, Iranians celebrate the Revolt of Khordad 15, which was a student revolt in 1963 which ultimately gave Iran the footing for change: the Islamic Revolution. Then-leader Imam Khomeini was later put into exile.
After Ramadan comes the Feast of Fast-Breaking. It’s celebrated on the first day of the following month, called Shawwal. This is a day on which Muslims all over the world enjoy a large feast to mark the end of the month of Ramadan. The Feast of Fast-Breaking occurs on the first crescent moon of Ramadan. Once the crescent moon is observed and officially declared, Eide Fetr is held the next day, beginning the two-day public holiday that follows.
This day is the commemoration of the sixth Shia Imam, Imam Sadeq’s, killing which was supposedly carried out by Mansur. Imam Sadeq had been Imam for twenty-eight years, making him the longest-seated Imam, and was an important figure in Islamic history.
This festivity is marked on the tenth day of the last month of the lunar calendar, which in Persian is called Zelhajjeh. According to religious texts, God ordered the Prophet Abraham to take his only beloved son to a mountain to sacrifice him. Abraham obeyed God’s orders without question or hesitation, but just as Abraham was about to cut off his son’s head, a divine angel (fereshteh), provided Abraham a ram to sacrifice instead of his son in reward for his display of absolute loyalty. Today, families typically sacrifice animals such as sheep (gusfand) and cows (gaav) during this festival in place of rams, and distribute the meat among their acquaintances and the poor. Sacrificing other animals on this day, such as deer or chicken, isn’t allowed.
Eid al-Ghadeer is the celebration that marks the appointment of Imam Ali as the successor to the Prophet of Islam by God. On the 18th day of Zul Hijjah, in the tenth year of the lunar calendar, Mohammad the Prophet (payaambar) took a rest in Ghadir-e Khom along with his companions on his way back from a pilgrimage to K’abe, which is the House of God. There, Mohammad gathered his companions and made a speech. He raised Imam Ali’s hand and announced, “To whomever I am the mawla, Ali is his mawla.” Thus, Imam Ali was appointed Mohammad’s successor.
Taasuaa and Aashooraa are the respective names Muslims give to the ninth day and tenth day of the month of Muharram, which is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It was during these days that “the Battle of Karbala” took place. Today, during taasuaa and aashooraa, we can see various daste and hei’at, which are mourning parades that are held in the streets. Daste involve groups of people holding ceremonies in congregations. At such ceremonies, men wear mostly black and engage in mourning rituals.
Taasuaa and Aashooraa are the respective names Muslims give to the ninth day and tenth day of the month of Muharram, which is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It was during these days that “the Battle of Karbala” took place. Today, during taasuaa and aashooraa, we can see various daste and hei’at, which are mourning parades that are held in the streets. Daste involve groups of people holding ceremonies in congregations. At such ceremonies, men wear mostly black and engage in mourning rituals.
During this event, members of a village or neighborhood gather together to cook a dish called haleem, a traditional Iranian food prepared in a number of different ways and a in variety of flavors. In Juybar in the Mazandaran province, this ceremony begins on the night of Arba’een after evening and Isha prayers, and in the presence of mourners of Imam Hossein. This mourning ceremony lasts until the morning prayer. Come dawn, the haleem is distributed among the people.
November 14 marks the day that the birthdays of Prophet Muhammad and Imam Sadeq are celebrated. This is a public holiday, meaning that people have the day off of work and school.
This day is held in commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Reza, who was the eighth Shia Imam. It’s thought that during a time of political unrest, he was poisoned by al-Ma’mun.
You may ask why it is advantageous to know Iranian holidays. There are a number of good reasons!
If you’re keen to learn Persian on your own, there are a number of ways to do this. Why not choose holidays as a theme? You can start by learning about the Iranian culture, so find a video or TV program about holidays in Iran. Better still - find a video or program about holidays in Persian, and watch it a few times! That way your ear will get used to the spoken language. You could also watch Iranian movies without subtitles, as this too will train your ear to what correct Persian sounds like.
If you’re more advanced in Persian, you can practice your writing skills by writing a letter to your Iranian friend about the holidays video. Or write a short review of the video, and post it on social media! Imagine how impressed your friends will be!
Practice your Persian pronunciation, and record yourself talking about your holiday in Iran. Pronouncing words correctly in any language is very important, or you may find yourself saying things you don’t mean!
If you’re an absolute beginner, it would be best to start with a book, a CD series, free PDF cheat sheets and preferably your Iranian friend who can help you. Or, you can start with PersianPod101, for free!
Holidays in Iran can also be the perfect opportunity to practice your Persian! For the best experience, make sure to master at least Level 1 of your Persian lessons here on PersianPod101 before you go on holiday to Iran. Then don’t be shy! Use it with every native speaker you encounter in every situation. Practicing continuously to speak a language is one of the most important habits if you want to become fluent. Or, if you’re a new subscriber to PersianPod101 in a hurry to get to Iran, study Absolute Beginner Persian for Every Day to help you get by as a traveller - you will be surprised how far a little Persian can go!
PersianPod101 is uniquely geared to help you master relevant, everyday vocabulary and phrases, pronounced correctly and in the right context - this will set you on the right track. Our courses are perfectly designed to help you in fun ways!
But do have a holiday first. Ideally you will enjoy a different culture with a visit, and enrich your life in ways you cannot imagine. Don’t wait till 2020 to learn Persian through PersianPod101 though - it will open a whole new world for you!
No comments so far.