Skip to content
- Complete list of Persian and Islamic religious holidays observed in Iran
- Eids — Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha: vocabulary, greetings and how they are celebrated
- Muharram and Ashura: the most significant mourning period in the Iranian calendar
- Birthdays and martyrdom anniversaries of the Imams — as public holidays in Iran
- The Prophet Muhammad's birthday and its observance
- Key vocabulary for greetings, mourning phrases, and holiday expressions
Persian Holidays: Iranian Religious and Public Holidays — Complete Guide
Iran's holiday calendar blends two distinct traditions: the ancient Persian solar calendar with its pre-Islamic celebrations (Nowruz, Yalda, Chaharshanbe Suri), and the Islamic Hijri calendar with its cycle of religious commemorations tied to the life of the Prophet Muhammad and the twelve Imams of Shia Islam. Understanding both is essential for anyone communicating with Iranians, working with Iranian colleagues, or studying Persian culture.
This page covers the Islamic and Shia religious holidays observed in Iran — their names in Farsi, how they are observed, what greetings are appropriate (or not), and their cultural significance. For Nowruz and the pre-Islamic Persian celebrations, see the dedicated guides linked below.
Calendar note: Islamic religious holidays are observed according to the lunar Hijri calendar, which means their date in the Gregorian calendar shifts approximately 11 days earlier each year. Iranian public holidays are officially set by the government each year based on moon sighting. The holidays below are described by their Islamic calendar month — actual Gregorian dates vary annually.
Eid al-Fitr (عید فطر — Eyd-e Fetr) marks the end of Ramadan — the Islamic month of fasting. It falls on the 1st of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar. In Iran, Eid al-Fitr is a public holiday of 2–3 days, though it is celebrated less elaborately than in Arab countries; Iran's biggest national celebration remains Nowruz. The holiday begins with the communal Eid prayer (نماز عید — namāz-e Eyd) and is followed by family visits, special foods, and the giving of عیدی (eydi — holiday money or gifts, usually given by elders to children).
Eid al-Fitr is also known as the Small Eid (عید کوچک — Eyd-e Kuchak) in Persian, distinguishing it from Eid al-Adha which is called the Great Eid.
Eid al-Adha (عید قربان — Eyd-e Ghorbān, literally "Feast of Sacrifice") commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. It falls on the 10th of Dhul Hijja — the day after the pilgrims on Hajj stand at Mount Arafat. The central ritual is the قربانی (ghorbāni — animal sacrifice), with the meat distributed to family, neighbours, and the poor in three equal portions.
Called the Great Eid (عید بزرگ — Eyd-e Bozorg) in Persian, this is considered the more significant of the two Eids in Islamic tradition, though in Iran's national culture Nowruz overshadows both in scale of celebration.
Eid al-Ghadir (عید غدیر — Eyd-e Ghadir) is specifically a Shia Muslim holiday, not observed in Sunni Islam, which makes it distinctive to Iran among major Muslim-majority countries. It commemorates the event at Ghadir Khumm where, according to Shia belief, the Prophet Muhammad designated Imam Ali as his successor. Observed on the 18th of Dhul Hijja, it is a joyous occasion in Iran with public celebrations, communal prayers, and festive gatherings. Iranians consider it one of the most important religious Eids in the Shia calendar.
| Farsi Script | Pronunciation | English | When used |
|---|---|---|---|
| عید مبارک | Eyd Mobārak | Happy Eid / Eid Mubarak | Standard Eid greeting — used for all Eids |
| عیدتون مبارک | Eydeton Mobārak | Happy Eid to you (all) | Plural/polite form — most commonly said |
| عیدی | Eydi | Holiday gift / Eid money | Given by elders to children and younger relatives |
| نماز عید | Namāz-e Eyd | Eid prayer | Performed in congregation on the morning of both Eids |
| قربانی | Ghorbāni | Sacrifice / Offering | The animal sacrifice performed on Eid al-Adha |
| صله رحم | Sele-ye rahim | Visiting family / Keeping family ties | The practice of visiting relatives during Eid |
Muharram (محرم) is the first month of the Islamic calendar and the most significant mourning period in Shia Islam. It commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein ibn Ali, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE — one of the defining events of Shia history and identity.
The 9th of Muharram is Tasua (تاسوعا — the day of Abbas, Imam Hussein's brother), and the 10th is Ashura (عاشورا — literally "tenth"), the day of the martyrdom itself. Both are national public holidays in Iran. Across Iran, public mourning processions (دسته — daste) fill the streets, black flags are hung on buildings and mosques, and communal mourning ceremonies (هیئت — hey'at) are held throughout the month.
Muharram is a time of solemnity in Iran — music and celebrations are avoided, weddings are not held, and the colour black is worn widely. Public feeding (نذری — nazri) is a major tradition: free food is distributed to all comers in memory of Imam Hussein, whose family was deprived of water at Karbala.
Arbaeen (اربعین — literally "forty") falls on the 20th of Safar, forty days after Ashura. It marks the end of the official mourning period for Imam Hussein. Arbaeen has become one of the largest annual human gatherings on earth, with tens of millions of pilgrims walking to Karbala in Iraq. Many Iranians participate, and the occasion is an important national and religious occasion — a public holiday in Iran.
| Farsi Script | Pronunciation | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| عزاداری | Azādāri | Mourning / Lamentation | The general term for Muharram mourning practices |
| هیئت | Hey'at | Mourning congregation | Group gathering for mourning ceremonies — the main social form |
| دسته | Daste | Mourning procession | Street procession during Muharram — one of the most visible practices |
| نذری | Nazri | Votive food / Free communal food | Food prepared and distributed freely in memory of Imam Hussein |
| روضهخوانی | Rawze-khāni | Recitation of elegies | Reciting poems about the events of Karbala — central to Muharram ceremonies |
| سینهزنی | Sine-zani | Chest-beating | Rhythmic mourning gesture during Muharram processions |
| تعزیه | Ta'ziye | Passion play | Traditional dramatic re-enactment of the events at Karbala |
Iran observes public holidays for the birthdays and martyrdom anniversaries (شهادت — shahādat) of the Prophet Muhammad and several of the twelve Imams of Shia Islam. These occasions alternate between celebration (milad — میلاد, birthday) and mourning (shahādat — martyrdom anniversary).
The birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (میلاد پیامبر اکرم) falls on the 12th of Rabi al-Awwal in the Islamic calendar (the Shia tradition places it on the 17th — a week of celebration called هفته وحدت, "Unity Week," bridges the two dates). In Iran, this is a major public holiday with celebrations, prayers, and public events. The week of unity between the two dates is emphasised to promote solidarity between Sunni and Shia Muslims.
The birthday of Imam Ali (میلاد امام علی), the first Imam in Shia Islam and son-in-law of the Prophet, falls on the 13th of Rajab. It is a national public holiday in Iran and also called Father's Day (روز پدر — Ruz-e Pedar) in Iran — making it one of the most widely celebrated occasions in the country, combining religious observance with family celebration. Fathers receive gifts and greetings from their children on this day.
The birthday of Imam Hussein (میلاد امام حسین), grandson of the Prophet and the central figure of Ashura, falls on the 3rd of Sha'ban. In Iran, this is a joyful public holiday — in contrast to the deep mourning of Muharram, the birthday is celebrated with lights, public gatherings, and festivity. The emotional contrast between the Imam's birth celebration and his martyrdom commemoration is one of the distinctive features of the Iranian Shia religious year.
The birthday of Imam Mahdi (میلاد امام زمان — birthday of the Imam of the Age), the twelfth and final Imam in Shia belief who is considered to be in occultation (غیبت — gheybat), falls on the 15th of Sha'ban — also called Nime Sha'ban (نیمه شعبان — mid-Sha'ban). This is one of the most joyful occasions in the Iranian Shia calendar, celebrated with illuminations, fireworks, street celebrations, and public events. In Iran it is a major public holiday.
| Farsi Script | Pronunciation | English | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| میلاد مبارک | Milād Mobārak | Happy birthday (of the Imam/Prophet) | Said on birthday celebrations of religious figures |
| تسلیت میگویم | Tasliyat miguyam | I offer condolences | Standard condolences phrase for martyrdom anniversaries |
| اجرکم | Ajrakom | May you be rewarded | Arabic phrase said in condolence — widely used in Iranian mourning |
| شهادت تسلیت | Shahādat tasliyat | Condolences on the martyrdom | Specifically for martyrdom anniversaries |
| روز پدر مبارک | Ruz-e Pedar Mobārak | Happy Father's Day | Said on Imam Ali's birthday = Father's Day in Iran |
Understand Iranian Religious and Cultural Life in Persian
Religious vocabulary, cultural events, and the language of Iranian social life are best learned in context with a native tutor who can explain the nuances no dictionary captures. Danaa School's native tutors bring this cultural depth to every lesson. Book a free trial.
Book a Free Trial Lesson →عید مبارک (Eyd Mobārak) is the standard greeting — used for all Eids. The more personal form directed at a group: عیدتون مبارک (Eydeton Mobārak — Happy Eid to you all). The Arabic phrase Eid Mubarak is also widely understood and used by Iranians in the same form.
In terms of religious and emotional significance in the Shia tradition, Ashura (عاشورا — 10th of Muharram) is the most profound occasion — the commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein at Karbala. It involves nationwide mourning, processions, and communal gatherings. In terms of celebration, Eid al-Ghadir (عید غدیر) is considered the greatest Eid in Shia theology, though Nowruz remains Iran's biggest national celebration overall.
نذری (Nazri) is food prepared and distributed freely to all comers as a religious vow or act of charity — most prominently during Muharram in memory of Imam Hussein. Large pots of food (rice, stew, soup) are cooked in community settings and distributed without charge to everyone who comes. Receiving nazri and not refusing it is considered respectful and spiritually meaningful. The tradition of nazri extends beyond Muharram — families sometimes fulfil personal vows through nazri cooking throughout the year.
