About Nowruz (Persian New Year)
Nowruz — "new day" — is the Persian New Year, celebrated at the moment of the spring equinox around March 20. One of humanity's oldest continuous festivals at over 3,000 years, it is shared by some 300 million people across Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Kurdish regions and the diaspora. The countdown above targets equinox day; the exact festive moment shifts by a few hours each year with the equinox itself.
Traditions begin weeks early: spring cleaning (khaneh tekani), jumping over bonfires on Chaharshanbe Suri, and setting the haft-sin table with seven symbolic items starting with the letter S. The holiday runs about thirteen days, ending with Sizdah Bedar — a nationwide picnic day outdoors. The UN recognizes March 21 as International Nowruz Day.
Upcoming dates
| 2027 | Saturday, March 20, 2027next |
| 2028 | Monday, March 20, 2028 |
| 2029 | Tuesday, March 20, 2029 |
| 2030 | Wednesday, March 20, 2030 |
| 2031 | Thursday, March 20, 2031 |
FAQ
When is Nowruz?
At the spring equinox, around March 20–21 — the precise moment varies by a few hours each year and by timezone.
Who celebrates Nowruz?
Around 300 million people: Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kurdish regions, and communities worldwide.
What is the haft-sin?
A New Year table of seven items beginning with the Persian letter S — each symbolizing renewal, health, love or prosperity.