Most Important Holidays in Iran | Monthly Guide

Holidays can be an excellent time to enjoy and travel; however, knowing how your destination celebrates holidays is vital because sometimes you may be unlucky to find out tourist attractions are closed.

Therefore, knowing these days and on which holidays the historical or cultural site is open to visiting is necessary for your trip.

Although Iran's public holidays tend to revolve around the Muslim religion, there are many fascinating ancient holidays Iranians celebrate, such as winter solstice, the festival of fire and Nowruz. In this article, we will mention all most important holidays in iran:

Iran's Solar Hijri Calendar Holidays

The solar Hijri calendar is among the world's most accurate calendars, officially used in Iran and Afghanistan. The solar calendar time reckon is based on the earth's movements around the sun. Some of the remarkable events and holidays in this area are:

1. Nowruz Holiday in Iran (21st March)

Nowruz is the Iranian New Year and an important national holiday in Iran. Nowruz is among the oldest festivities in Iran that Iranians and some bordering countries celebrate.

The festivities of Nowruz take place over 12 days, and the celebration usually starts on the 1st of Farvardin (21st March). During Nowruz, Iranians typically clean their homes, give alms and visit their relatives. Iranians also celebrate this great day by planting a tree.

2. Islamic Republic Day (March 18)

Islamic republic day is another national holiday in Iran. It is observed on the twelfth day of the first Iranian month of Farvardin. This usually means it is celebrated in the western calendar on 1st April. Islamic republic day honours the anniversary of the establishment of the Islamic Republic in 1979.

On 1st April, the referendum results were announced, with 98.2% of the Iranian people voting in favour of an Islamic Republic.

3. Nature Day or Sizdah-Bedar (April 2)

So on the last day of the Nowruz celebration, Iranians go out into nature with their family and friends to create a beautiful memory of the last day of Nowruz.

Sizdah Be dar is also known as nature day, and most Iranians believe the word "Sizdah Bedar" means to remove the thirteenth's omen, but in the Persian dictionaries, it means "valley." So on 13th Farvardin, many Iranians go to the valley and parks for picnics.

4. The demise of Imam Khomeini

The Demise of Imam Khomeini is a public holiday in Iran observed on 4th June each year. This day commemorates the Islamic Republic's founder's death. Imam Khomeini died on 3rd June 1989, at 87.

5. Revolt of 15 Khordad (5th June)

The Khordad National Uprising in Iran is observed on the 5th of June every year. It is also called the 15 Khordad Revolt; the events of 5th June 1963 included protests against the arrest of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini after he denounced Iranian Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

6. Anniversary of The Islamic Revolution Victory of Iran (11th February)

It is observed on 11th February and marks the victory of the Islamic Revolution or Iranian Revolution in 1979. It is usually celebrated on the 22nd day of the Iranian month of Bahman.

7. Oil Nationalization Day or Melli Shodan e Saneat e Naft (20th March)

This day commemorates the anniversary of the Nationalization of the Iran oil industry in 1951. It is observed on the 29th of Esfand in the Persian calendar. The Nationalization of the oil industries is a turning point in the economic, political, and history of the Iranian people's struggle to save their national assets from foreigners.

Islamic Holidays and Events in Iran

Muslims worldwide use the Islamic calendar to determine religious events and observance dates. It is also known as the Muslim calendar or the Hijri calendar. It is also called the Lunar calendar because its time reckoning is tied to the Moon phases. The public holidays and events in this calendar include:

1. Tasu'a and Ashura

Muharram is one of the most tragic months for Shia Muslims.

Tasu'a is the ninth day of the month of Muharram. This day is followed by Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram. Imam Hussein and 72 of his loyal companions were martyred in the Battle of Karbala in Iraq over 1,300 years ago on the 10 Muharram A.H. 61.

Ashura is better known these days for the martyrdom of Imam Hussain ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.), who died at the Battle of Karbala in 61 A.H. (AD 680).

2. Arbaeen

Arbaeen is an Arabic word for forty. It is the 40th day after Ashura, the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad and the third Shia Imam, as forty days is the traditional length of mourning after a family member's death in Muslim traditions.

3. Death of Prophet Muhammed and The Martyrdom of Imam Hassan

The 28th day of Safar is a public holiday in Iran. It commemorates two important events, the demise of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) and the Martyrdom of Imam Hassan.

Imam Hassan was the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, the eldest son of Imam Ali and Muhammad's daughter Hazrat Fatimah, and the older brother of Imam Husayn. Among Shia Muslims, Imam Hasan is revered as the second Imam. It is believed that Imam Hassan was poisoned by his wife.

4. Imam Reza's martyrdom 

It is observed on the 30th day of Safar and commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Ali Reza, the eighth Shia Imam.

5. Prophet Muhammad's Birthday

This day is also called 'Mawlid ul Nabi. Muslims celebrate it during Rabiul Awal, the third month of the Muslim calendar.

The day is observed as a public holiday in Iran and many countries with a sizeable Muslim population because it commemorates the birth of the proclaimer of the Qurʾan and the founder of Islam.

Shia Muslims observe the event on the 17th of Rabiul Awal, and Sunni Muslims celebrate it on the 12th of Rabiul Awal.

6. Martyrdom Of Hazrat Fatimah Al Zahra

The Martyrdom Of Fatimah is also known as Fāṭimīyya. It is a national holiday in Iran commemorated on the third Islamic month Jumada al-Thani.

7. Imam Ali's Birthday

The 13th day of Rajab commemorates the birth of Ali ibn Abu Talib (A.S.), the son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.A.W.) and the first Imam for Shia Muslims. 

The birth anniversary of Imam Ali Ibn Abu Talib is observed yearly by Shia Muslims in Iran and other countries on the 13th day of Rajab.

8. Martyrdom of Imam Hassan Asgari

It is observed on the 8th day of Rabi al-awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar. 

9. Martyrdom of Imam Ali

It is observed on 21 Ramadan.  The night before his demise is considered the second of the three holy nights, known as Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Destiny), representing an unparalleled opportunity for Muslims to dedicate much of their time to prayer.

10. Eid al Fitr

Eid al-Fitr is one of the important Islamic holidays. The first day of the Shawwal month is called Eid al-Fitr because fasting is removed on this day. Eid al-Fitr is also called the Eid of Fast-breaking.

11. Martyrdom Of Imam Sadeq

The martyrdom Of Imam Sadeq is a public holiday in Iran observed on 25 Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar.

This holiday commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Sadeq (A.S.), who died in 765 after being poisoned. Imam Jaʿfar ibn Muḥammad al-Ṣādiq is also known as Jaʿfar al-Sadiq or simply Al-Sadiq ("The Truthful"). He was the sixth Shia Imam and a significant figure in Shia Islam.

12. Isra and Mi'raj (The Prophet's Ascension )

Isra and Mi'raj are known as the Night Journey or the Prophet's Ascension, on the 27th of Rajab, the seventh month in the lunar calendar.

According to Islamic belief, this night marks the Prophet Muhammad's (P.B.U.H.) journey from the holy city of Mecca to Jerusalem and ascent to paradise sometime around 621.

13. Imam Mahdi's Birthday

Imam Mahdi's Birthday is a public holiday in Iran celebrated on the 15th of Sha'ban, the eighth month of the Islamic calendar. This day marks the birth of Imam Mahdi, the 12th and last Imam of Shia Muslims.

14. Eid al-Adha

Eid ul Adha is also called the 'Feast of Sacrifice or Al Eid Al Kabeer, meaning the 'Grand Eid'. It is one of the most important Eid of the Islamic calendar.

Eid al-Adha usually falls on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth and last month in the Islamic calendar. The date may vary between countries because the exact day is based on lunar sightings.

15. Eid-e-Ghadir

Eid e-Ghadir is a public holiday in Iran celebrated on the 18th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last and twelfth month of the Lunar calendar.

Eid-e-Ghadeer commemorates the appointment of Ali Ibn Abi Talib as Prophet Muhammad's successor and the first Imam. Shia Muslims believe fasting on this day is equivalent to sixty years of worship. In addition, Shia Muslims wear their best clothes, perform prayers, bathe, visit relatives, and give believers food.