Iran Public Holidays and Weekend
Knowing the public holidays and the official weekend of the destination is critical for choosing the date of your trip. As the Iranian calendar is not based on the Gregorian calendar, Iran public holidays and weekend are different from other countries. Hence, here we introduce Iran weekend and holidays and to make it more clear we have organized a standard calendar, including Iran holidays. You can download this calendar from the below link.
"What calendar is used in Iran? Solar Hijri calendar Officially used in Iran and Afghanistan, the Solar Hijri calendar is one of the world's most accurate calendar systems. It is also known as Persian Calendar, Iranian Calendar, and SH Calendar."
Iran Weekend
Interestingly, Iran weakened, like Iran holidays, is different from western countries. Accordingly, just like many Islamic countries in the world, Friday is the official weekend in Iran. Also, Thursday is the closed day for many businesses in this country. As a result, opposed to most of the countries, Saturdays and Sundays are working days in Iran. In other words, Iran working week is from Saturday till Thursday.
Finally, note that the old bazaars in different cities of Iran are closed during weekends.
Iran Holidays
Generally, Iran holidays are categorized into two kinds, national holidays and religious holidays. Also, Iran’s public holidays are being extracted from two calendar systems, the Arabic calendar and the Persian one. However, the Iranian official calendar is the Persian calendar.
Typically, the religious holidays in Iran are based on the Arabic calendar, while the traditional Persian holidays and festivals originate from the Iranian calendar. Notably, as the Arabic or Muslim calendar is based on the Lunar system, the dates of events based on this calendar change every year.
Important Notes:
There are several annual national holidays in the Iranian calendar, but on six of these days, all tourist attractions are closed. In short, these days are as per below:
1- Tasua
2- Ashura
3- Martyrdom of Imam Ali
4- Demise of Imam Khomeini (3rd or 4th June)
5- Martyrdom of Imam Sadegh
6- Demise of Prophet Mohammad
Here we introduce the most important holidays in Iran. You can also find Iran holidays 2022 on the calendar above or the Iran Holiday List, below. We update this calendar based on the Persian and Muslim calendars every year.
Nowruz (Persian New Year)
Nowruz or Noruz is the Persian New Year holiday and is the most extended Iran holiday, starting on March 21st annually and lasts for 4 to 13 days, depending on the business type. It is one of the significant events in Iran, which is celebrated in different parts of the country. One of the most interesting Nowruz festivals is held in the Kurdish region of Uramant in the west of the country. It is worth knowing that, during Nowruz, almost all the attractions are opened to the public. However, as Noruz is the most important Iran public holiday, all Iran attractions are crowded, and the hotels are fully booked during this festival. So, if you want to travel to this country, first check the best time to visit Iran.
Read more about: Nowruz Celebration
Tasua and Ashura
(Mourning Ceremony for Imam Hussein)
“What is Tasua and Ashura?
Tasua and Ashura occur on the ninth and tenth days of Muharram, the first month of the Muslim year. The word 'Tasua' means ninth, and 'Ashura' means tenth in Arabic. Tasua and Ashura commemorate the murder of Imam Husayn and certain members of his family in the year 680AD in Karbala."
Tasua and Ashura are two significant religious holidays in Iran. On these successive days during the month of Muharram (based on the Arabic calendar), different festivals and rituals are held in the Shia countries. Accordingly, Iranian people participate in a traditional march to show their respect to Imam Hussein, the Prophet Mohammad’s grandson. Besides, the wealthier residents donate foods to the poor ones.
Please note that the Iran attractions and points of interest in different cities are closed during these two days. However, many tourists travel to Iran during Muharram to participate in one of the magnificent festivals in Iran. Particularly, the Ashura festival in Yazd is marvelous.
Arbaeen
One of the most important Iran holidays is Arbaeen, the Arabic word “Arbaeen” means “forty,” which refers to the fortieth day after Ashura (the day of murdering Imam Hossein, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad).
Arbaeen is one of the most important ceremonies in the Arabic (Muslim) calendar. Every year on this day, Shia Muslims hold a ceremony called Arbaeen pilgrimage or Arbaeen walk. It is the largest annual gathering in the world when millions of Shia Muslims from all Islamic countries, including Iran, go to Karbala, Iraq. These pilgrims take most of this path from their cities and countries to the Tomb of Imam Hussein on feet.
Notably, due to this large event in Iran, domestic flights, buses, and trains are fully booked from about three days before and after Arbaeen. Also, the tickets for these dates are much more expensive. Besides, many tourist attractions of Iran are closed on Arbaeen day.
Martyrdom of Imam Sadegh
Imam Sadegh was the sixth Imam of Shias, that his day of martyrdom is a public holiday in Iran. On the day of the Martyrdom of Imam Sadegh, all tourist attractions in Iran are closed.
Eid-e Fitr (Eid al-Fitr)
Eid-e Fitr is one of the popular Iran holidays when the “Festival of Breaking the Fast” celebrated at the end of Ramadan in all Islamic countries, including Iran. This religious holiday in Iran lasts two days, and all tourist attractions are opened on these days.
Martyrdom of Imam Ali
Imam Ali is the first Imam of Shia who was murdered during Ramadan, and the day of his martyrdom is one of the prominent Iran public holidays. Notably, all tourist attractions in Iran are closed on this day.
The Demise of Prophet Mohammad
Mohammad is the Muslims’ Prophet, and the day of his passing is one of the major religious holidays in Iran. Notably, all tourist attractions in Iran are closed on this day.
The Demise of Imam Khomeini
Imam Khomeini was the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, who died on June 3rd, 1989. And every year, June 3rd or sometimes 4th (based on the Persian calendar) is one of the national holidays in Iran. Also, on this day, all tourist attractions in Iran are closed.
Please note that a day after the Demise of Imam Khomeini, called 15 Khordad, is also a public holiday in Iran. Therefore, as many Iranians take short trips to the county sides on these days, the roads are very crowded.
Iran Holidays 2022 List
Here is the list of Iran holidays 2022 including information about the reason and the meaning of the holidays. Accordingly, this table helps you to know the sites’ closed days.
Finally, note that the old bazaars in different cities of Iran are closed during weekends.
| Day | Weekday | Iran Holiday Name | Iran Tourist Sites | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06 Jan | Thursday | Martyrdom of Fatima | Open |
|
| 11 Feb | Friday | Revolution Day | Open |
|
| 15 Feb | Tuesday | Birthday of Imam Ali | Open |
|
| 20 Mar | Sunday | Oil Nationalization Day | Open |
|
| 21 Mar | Monday | Nowruz Holiday | Open |
|
| 22 Mar | Tuesday | Nowruz Holiday | Open |
|
| 23 Mar | Wednesday | Nowruz Holiday | Open |
|
| 24 Mar | Thursday | Nowruz Holiday | Open |
|
| 01 Apr | Friday | Islamic Republic Day | Open |
|
| 02 Apr | Saturday | Sizdah Bedar | Open |
|
| 23 Apr | Saturday | Martyrdom of Imam Ali | Closed |
|
| 3 May | Tuesday | Eid-e-Fetr (End of Ramadan) | Open |
|
| 4 May | Wednesday | Eid-e-Fetr (End of Ramadan) | Open |
|
| 27 May | Friday | Martyrdom of Imam Sadeq | Closed |
|
| 04 Jun | Saturday | The Demise of Imam Khomeini | Open |
|
| 05 Jun | Sunday | The Uprising of Khordad 15 | Closed |
|
| 10 Jul | Sunday | Eide-E-Ghorban | Open |
|
| 18 Jul | Monday | Eid-e-Ghadir | Open |
|
| 8 Aug | Monday | Tassoua | Closed |
|
| 9 Aug | Tuesday | Ashura | Closed |
|
| 17 Sep | Saturday | Arbaeen | Closed |
|
| 25 Sep | Sunday | The demise of Prophet Muhammad | Closed |
|
| 27 Sep | Tuesday | Martyrdom of Imam Reza | Open |
|
| 5 Oct | Wednesday | Martyrdom of Imam Hasan al-Askari | Open |
|
| 14 Oct | Friday | Birthday of Prophet Muhammad | Open |
|
Most Frequent Questions and Answers about Iran Public Holidays and Weekend
These are the most popular festivals in Iran that some of them are Iranian holidays too. They are as per below:
- Nowruz in March
- Tasua and Ashura (for the exact date, refer to the calendar)
- Yalda in December
- Chaharshanbe Suri in March
- Sizdah Bedar in April
- Iranian Saffron Harvest in November
- Rose Water Festival in May
- Pomegranate Festival in mid-autumn
Christmas is not an Iran public holiday. However, the Christian communities mostly live in Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz, and Urmia celebrate Christmas. Every year, they celebrate Christmas Eve, decorating Christmas trees and eating traditional chicken stew called Harissa or roast turkey.
Read more about: Christmas in Iran
Yes. Iran working days start from Saturday to Thursday, and Friday is the weekend in Iran. However, some departments are closed on Thursday.
Here are the most significant Iranian festivals:
- Nowruz: The Iranian New Year, the most important Iran holiday that starts on March 20 or 21.
- Sizdahbedar: The Nature Day on April 1st or 2nd on when the Iranian people spend time outdoors.
- Tasua and Ashura festivals on the ninth and tenth days of Muharram in the Arabic calendar: Mourning Ceremony for Imam Hussein
- Chaharshanbe Suri: Iranian Fire Jumping Festival on the eve of the last Wednesday before the Persian new year.
Yes, the Iranian calendar is a solar calendar based on astronomical observations. In other words, it is arranged by the earth's circulation around the Sun. Accordingly, the Persian new year and months are different too. Moreover, Iran holidays are based on the Iranian calendar and Ghamari Calendar (Arabic Calendar).
Yes, it is OK. But you should observe that you can not eat or drink in public places from dawn to sunset. Accordingly, restaurants and cafes are closed till sunset. However, you can eat your meals in your hotel restaurant or some restaurants with a special permit.
Notably, the expense of Iran travel service is lower during Ramadan.