Iranian festivals

The following is a List of Festivals in Iran

Iranian Festivals

* Nowruz: Celebration of the start of spring ("Rejuvenation"). It starts on the first day of spring (also the first day of the Iranian Calendar year) and lasts for 13 days.
* Sizdah Bedar: Persian Festival of "Joy and Solidarity". The 13th/last day of Nowruz celebration ("Getting rid of the thirteen!"). It is celebrated outdoors along with the beauty of nature.
* Mehregan: Festival of Mehr (or Mihr). A day of "Thanksgiving".
* Jashne Sade: A mid-winter feast to honor fire and to "defeat the forces of darkness, frost and cold".
* Shabe Chelle: The turning point. End of the longest night (darkness) of the year, and beginning of growing of the days (Lights). A celebration of Good over Evil.
* Chaharshanbe Suri: Festival of Fire, Last Wednesday in the Iranian Calendar year. It marks the importance of the light over the darkness, arrival of spring and revival of nature.

Zoroastrian

The basis of nearly all of Iranian national festivals are from its Pre-Islamic Zoroastrian era. However, there are some festivals that are celebrated exclusively by Zoroastrians and some with less extent in other communities too.

* Nowruz - New Year's Day. March (first day of Spring).
* Jaşne Sade - Festival of Fire. Lit. the 100th day (before Nowruz).
* Jaşne Mehregân - Festival of Mihr (or Mehr). A day of thanksgiving dedicated to the highest Angel, Mithra (c.f. Metatron).
* Jaşne Tiregân - Festival of Tir. A day dedicated to Tishtrya, Angel of the star Sirius and rain.
* Farvardingân - Festival of the Farohars ('guardian angels').
* Xordâd Sâl - Birthday of the Prophet Zarathushtra.
* Zartosht No-Diso - Anniversary commemorating the death of the Prophet Zarathushtra.
* Esfandgan - the day of love

"See also: Zoroastrian calendar"

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Islamic

* Ramadan (Ramazan) in Iran : Iranian have special recipes as Zoolbia-Bamieh, Shole Zard, Ferni, Halva and Ash Reshteh in Ramezan.
* Eid ul-Fitr / Eid e Fetr - "The Festival of Fast-Breaking" which comes at the end of Ramadan. People give gifts and money to poor people, patients and the handicapped.
* Ashurah & Tasoa - Shi'a Muslims observe the day in mourning for Hussein and in remembrance of his martyrdom. In Iran, Iranians perform Ta'zieh, the old Iranian dramatic parade (post Islamic era). There exists also a rather special recipe for some special drinks in this festival. Many people cook something and offer it to their neighbors as gifts.
* Nimeh Şabân - celebration for the twelfth and final Shi'a Imam. The festival consists of some fireworks and decorating the cities with lights, bulbs and trees.
* Ghadr nights - the "Night of Power" towards the end of Ramadan, which is when the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to Muhammad. Iranian stay awake the nights and light candles.
* Ghorban ceremony - "The Festival of Sacrifice". In Iran, Iranian sacrifice sheeps and offer the meat to neighbors and also poor people for free. There is also a barbecue in almost every house.

"See also: Islamic calendar"

Christian

Majority of Iranian christians are Armenian-Iranians also known as "Parska-Hye" who follow Oriental Orthodox branch of Christianity. This minority has their very own special festivals and traditions.

Iran has an over-whelmingly Muslim population but the Christian Community has a visible presence. During Christmas times, Christmas Trees can be seen from Windows in Tehran and north-western provinces. Although Christmas has an official recognition in Iran, it is not a national holiday.

Jewish

* Purim Festival
* Illanout (tree festival) Celebrated in February, it is identical to Shab-e Cheleh and is a lot more elaborate, reminiscence of the pre-Islamic celebrations

Unofficial

* New Year's Day
* Valentine's Day
* Halloween