Nowruz 2026
cultureSaturday, March 20, 2027
188 days from today · next occurrence
About Nowruz
Nowruz is the Persian New Year, celebrated on or around the spring equinox, typically March 20, by millions of people across Iran, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Balkans, and diaspora communities worldwide. Rooted in ancient Persian and Zoroastrian tradition, the festival marks the first day of spring and the renewal of nature. Families prepare in the weeks ahead by cleaning their homes, buying new clothes, and setting a haft-sin table with seven symbolic items, each representing hopes for health, prosperity, patience, and beauty. Celebrations often include jumping over small bonfires during Chaharshanbe Suri, visiting relatives in order from youngest to eldest hosts, sharing festive meals, and exchanging gifts. Thirteen days later, many families close the holiday with outdoor picnics on Sizdah Bedar. The United Nations has recognized the festival internationally, reflecting its wide cultural reach across many countries and generations.
When is Nowruz?
| Year | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | March 20, 2026 | Friday |
| 2027 | March 20, 2027 | Saturday |
| 2028 | March 20, 2028 | Monday |
| 2029 | March 20, 2029 | Tuesday |
| 2030 | March 20, 2030 | Wednesday |
History of Nowruz
Nowruz has been celebrated for thousands of years, with roots reaching back to ancient Persia and the veneration of the spring equinox as a moment of cosmic renewal. The festival survived the arrival of Islam in the region and adapted through centuries of political and cultural change, remaining a cornerstone of identity for Persian, Kurdish, Afghan, Tajik, Azerbaijani, and other communities. Along the Silk Road it spread to neighboring peoples, each adding local foods, music, and customs. Families preserved core rituals such as the haft-sin table, spring cleaning, and visits to elders, while diaspora communities introduced Nowruz to new continents. In 2009 UNESCO inscribed Nowruz on its list of intangible cultural heritage, and in 2010 the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed an International Day of Nowruz, affirming its enduring global significance.
How to Celebrate Nowruz
- Set up a haft-sin table with seven symbolic items beginning with the letter S in Persian.
- Take part in spring cleaning to refresh your home before the new year begins.
- Visit older relatives first, following the traditional order of holiday visits.
- Cook a festive dish such as sabzi polo with fish or a regional family recipe.
- Join a local Nowruz festival or cultural center event with music and dancing.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is Nowruz?
- Nowruz falls on the spring equinox, which is usually March 20, though the exact moment can shift to March 19 or 21 in some years and time zones depending on the astronomical calculation.
- Is Nowruz a public holiday?
- Yes in several countries. In Iran, Afghanistan, and parts of Central Asia and the Caucasus, Nowruz is an official public holiday lasting several days, while elsewhere it is celebrated culturally without days off.
- How do people celebrate Nowruz?
- People clean their homes, set a haft-sin table with seven symbolic items, light bonfires before the holiday, share festive meals, visit family and friends, and end thirteen days later with an outdoor picnic.
- What is a haft-sin table?
- It is a centerpiece arrangement of seven items whose names begin with the letter S in Persian, such as sprouts, sweet pudding, and garlic, each symbolizing a hope like rebirth, prosperity, or health.