About Jashn-e Sadeh
Jashn-e Sadeh is one of the oldest festivals of the Iranian world, a mid-winter feast of fire with roots reaching back to ancient Zoroastrian Persia. Its name comes from the Persian word for "hundred", marking the hundred days and nights that remain until the warmth of spring. At its heart is fire — kindled to honour light and to symbolise the victory of warmth over the darkness, frost and cold of deep winter.
The festival is celebrated above all by Iran's Zoroastrian communities, who gather at dusk to light a great communal bonfire in an open space while priests recite from the Avesta. Crowds circle the flames with music, food and song as the blaze lights up the winter night. In 2023 Sadeh was inscribed on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage as a shared tradition of Iran and Tajikistan, recognising its living importance.
Jashn-e Sadeh falls on a fixed date in the Iranian solar calendar — the 10th of Bahman, which corresponds to January 30, fifty days before Nowruz. Because the date is fixed, the festival lands on the same day every year. The live countdown above shows exactly how many days remain until the next Sadeh. Add it to your own page to keep this ancient fire festival in view.
Upcoming dates
| 2027 | Saturday, January 30, 2027next |
| 2028 | Sunday, January 30, 2028 |
| 2029 | Tuesday, January 30, 2029 |
| 2030 | Wednesday, January 30, 2030 |
| 2031 | Thursday, January 30, 2031 |
FAQ
When is Jashn-e Sadeh?
Jashn-e Sadeh is celebrated every year on January 30 — the 10th of Bahman in the Iranian solar calendar — fifty days before Nowruz.
Why is Jashn-e Sadeh celebrated?
It honours fire and light, symbolising the triumph of warmth over the darkness and cold of winter, and counts down the hundred days until spring.
How is Jashn-e Sadeh marked?
Communities, especially Zoroastrians, gather at dusk to light a large communal bonfire with prayers, music, food and song around the flames.
Is Jashn-e Sadeh a UNESCO heritage festival?
Yes. In 2023 Sadeh was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list as a tradition shared by Iran and Tajikistan.