Foreign tourists visiting Iran need to be aware of the public holidays in this country. During such days many services, including banking, may be closed, and this might cause some inconveniences. On the other hand, such holidays are a great opportunity to observe the local traditions and culture.
Here’s a look at the most important public holidays in Iran. The dates of these holidays are based on the Persian calendar and Georgian calendar as well. Totally you can expect 25 public holidays in Iran. We went through the 9 most important ones, however you can find the complete holiday table at the end of this article.
Table of contents
- Martyrdom of Fatima, 7 Jan 2022
- Iran Islamic Revolution Day, 11 Feb 2022
- Birthday of Imam Ali, 15 Feb 2022
- The Prophet’s Ascension, 1 March 2022
- Nowruz, 21 to 24 March 2022
- Martyrdom of Imam Ali, 23 April 2022
- Eid al-Fitr, 2 May 2022
- Tasua & Ashura, 7-8 August 2022
- Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday, 13 Oct 2022
- Iran Public Holidays Calnedar
Martyrdom of Fatima, 7 Jan 2022
The Martyrdom Of Hazrat Fatimah is a bank holiday observed on 7 Jan 2022. Fatimah bin Muhammad was the youngest daughter and the only child of the prophet Muhammad. She was born in Mecca and married Ali, Muhammad’s cousin, and was the mother of the second and third Imams, Hasan and Hussain. She was killed at the age of 29 during a raid by Umar ibn al-Khattab, the second caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate.
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Iran Islamic Revolution Day, 11 Feb 2022
The Islamic Revolution Day is a public holiday observed on 11 Feb 2022. The holiday marks the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and is also the national day in Iran. The holiday is deeply twinned with the figure of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, a fierce opponent of the Shah of the Pahlavi dynasty, criticized for his close ties with the West.
Birthday of Imam Ali, 15 Feb 2022
It commemorates the birthday of Ali ibn Abu Talib that takes place likely on 15 Feb 2022, who was the son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad and considered to be the first Imam by Shia Muslims.
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The Prophet’s Ascension, 1 March 2022
This holiday is also known as The Night Journey, and is observed on the 10th day of Esfand, the twelve month in the Persian calendar. It celebrated the Prophet Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and ascent into heaven, sometime around the year 621.
Nowruz, 21 to 24 March 2022
This is the most important holiday in the Iranian calendar as it marks the New Year. It also marks the beginning of spring. It is important to find out the date of Nowruz as during this holiday most institutions in the country are closed for two weeks. It is timed to coincide with the spring equinox.
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Martyrdom of Imam Ali, 23 April 2022
This is a public holiday that takes place on 23 April 2022. It also marks the beginning of Ramadan, the Islamic fasting month. Ali ibn Abu Talib, was the son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad and was considered to be the first Imam by Shia Muslims.
Eid al-Fitr, 2 May 2022
This holiday is also known as the Festival of Fast-breaking, one of the most important celebrations in the Muslim world marking the end of Ramadan. Muslims will gather in mosques or open spaces and offer two rounds of prayer, followed by a sermon, in which the imam asks for forgiveness, mercy, and peace for every being across the world.
It’s a tradition to wear new clothes on the way to the mosque and eat something sweet such as a date.
Tasua & Ashura, 7-8 August 2022
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 680 AD in Karbala, Iraq.
As one of the most important Iranian public holidays, usually the most governmental offices and sites are closed on these days, you will see some religious carnivals that march on the streets to honor this Islamic holiday.
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Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday, 13 Oct 2022
The holiday is also known as ‘Mawlid’ and is celebrated during the month of Rabiulawal, the third month of the Muslim calendar. It commemorates the anniversary of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, founder of Islam and the proclaimer of the Qurʾan.
Iran Public Holidays Calnedar
| 7-Jan | Fri | Martyrdom of Hazrat Fatemah |
| 11-Feb | Fri | Anniversary of the Islamic Revolution |
| 15-Feb | Tue | Birthday of Imam Ali |
| 1-Mar | Tue | Mabaath |
| 18-Mar | Fri | Birthday of Imam Mahdi |
| 20-Mar | Sun | Oil Nationalization Day |
| 21 Mar to 24 Mar | Mon to Thu | Novruz Holiday |
| 1-Apr | Fri | Islamic Republic Day |
| 2-Apr | Sat | Sizdah Bedar |
| 23-Apr | Sat | Martyrdom of Imam Ali |
| 2-May | Mon | Eid al-Fitr |
| 3-May | Tue | Eid al-Fitr Holiday |
| 26-May | Thu | Martyrdom of Imam Sadeq |
| 4-Jun | Sat | Demise of Imam Khomeini |
| 5-Jun | Sun | Khordad National Uprising (1963) |
| 10-Jul | Sun | Eid al-Adha |
| 18-Jul | Mon | Eid al-Ghadir |
| 7-Aug | Sun | Tassoua |
| 8-Aug | Mon | Ashura |
| 17-Sep | Sat | Arbaeen |
| 25-Sep | Sun | Death of Prophet Muhammad |
| 25-Sep | Sun | Martyrdom of Imam Hasan |
| 27-Sep | Tue | Martyrdom of Imam Reza |
| 5-Oct | Wed | Martyrdom of Imam Hassan Asgari |
| 13-Oct | Thu | Birthday of Imam Sadeq |
| 13-Oct | Thu | Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday |
| 27-Dec | Tue | Martyrdom of Hazrat Fatemah |
