Iran holiday calendar

Public holidays in Iran 2026

Calendar compilation last reviewed

Plan the year with every Iran public holiday, regional date and major cultural observance in our calendar. Each entry links to a detailed guide covering its history, status, traditions and sources.

Public holidays
27
Regional dates
0
Observances
5
Substitute dates
0

How public holidays work in Iran

The calendar separates public holidays from regional dates and cultural observances. Public holidays are the broadest category in our Iran calendar. Regional holidays may apply only in a particular state, province, territory or community, while an observance does not automatically mean that workplaces, schools or public services close.

No separate substitute dates are currently listed for 2026. Weekend and time-off rules can still vary by employer, region and holiday, so consult the linked guide and primary source before making arrangements. March is the busiest month, with 9 listed dates.

Iran holiday dates in 2026

The table lists 33 calendar entries. Follow a holiday name for its full background, observance details and traditions.

Public holidays, regional dates and cultural observances in Iran for 2026
DateHolidayTypeObserved day
Birthday of Imam AliA nationwide religious public holiday on 13 Rajab, honouring Imam Ali; it is also widely observed as Father’s Day in Iran.Public holiday—
Mab'athA nationwide public holiday commemorating the first revelation received by Prophet Muhammad, marked on 27 Rajab.Public holiday—
Birthday of Imam MahdiA nationwide public holiday on the fifteenth of Sha'ban, commemorating the birth of the twelfth Imam in Twelver Shi'a belief.Public holiday—
Revolution Victory DayFebruary 11 public holiday marking the 1979 victory of the Iranian Revolution and the fall of the Pahlavi monarchy.Public holiday—
Martyrdom of Imam AliA nationwide mourning holiday on 21 Ramadan, commemorating the death of Imam Ali and often falling during the final days of Ramadan.Public holiday—
Chaharshanbe SuriIran’s fire festival on the eve of the final Wednesday before Nowruz, celebrated socially but not designated as a statutory public holiday.Cultural observance—
Oil Nationalisation DayEsfand 29 public holiday commemorating the 1951 nationalisation of Iran’s oil industry and a defining moment in modern economic sovereignty.Public holiday—
Eid al-FitrDay 1 of Iran’s two-day Eid al-Fitr public holiday, ending Ramadan with prayer, family visits and generosity.Public holiday—
NowruzDay 1 of Iran’s statutory Nowruz break, the Solar Hijri New Year and a spring celebration of renewal, hospitality and family life.Public holiday—
Eid al-Fitr · Day 2Day 2 of Iran’s two-day Eid al-Fitr public holiday, ending Ramadan with prayer, family visits and generosity.Public holiday—
Nowruz · Day 2Day 2 of Iran’s statutory Nowruz break, the Solar Hijri New Year and a spring celebration of renewal, hospitality and family life.Public holiday—
Nowruz · Day 3Day 3 of Iran’s statutory Nowruz break, the Solar Hijri New Year and a spring celebration of renewal, hospitality and family life.Public holiday—
Nowruz · Day 4Day 4 of Iran’s statutory Nowruz break, the Solar Hijri New Year and a spring celebration of renewal, hospitality and family life.Public holiday—
Islamic Republic DayFarvardin 12 public holiday marking the 1979 referendum that established the Islamic Republic of Iran.Public holiday—
Nature DayFarvardin 13 public holiday, widely known as Sizdah Bedar, when families traditionally spend the day outdoors at the close of Nowruz.Public holiday—
Martyrdom of Imam Jafar al-SadiqA nationwide mourning holiday on 25 Shawwal for Imam Jafar al-Sadiq, the sixth Imam in Twelver Shi'a Islam.Public holiday—
Birthday of Imam RezaA major working religious observance on 11 Dhu al-Qadah celebrating Imam Reza, whose Mashhad shrine is Iran’s most important pilgrimage site.Cultural observance—
Workers’ DayMay 1 is a statutory paid holiday for workers covered by Iran’s Labour Law, but not a universal closure for every public institution or resident.Cultural observance—
Martyrdom of Imam Muhammad al-BaqirA working religious observance on 7 Dhu al-Hijjah commemorating Imam Muhammad al-Baqir, the fifth Imam in Twelver Shi'a Islam.Cultural observance—
Eid al-AdhaA nationwide public holiday for Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, centred on prayer, generosity and family hospitality.Public holiday—
Death of Imam KhomeiniKhordad 14 public holiday commemorating the 1989 death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, leader of the 1979 Revolution.Public holiday—
Eid al-GhadirA nationwide Shi'a public holiday on 18 Dhu al-Hijjah, commemorating Ghadir Khumm and Imam Ali’s special status.Public holiday—
Khordad 15 UprisingKhordad 15 public holiday commemorating the 1963 protests that became an important precursor in the Islamic Republic’s revolutionary narrative.Public holiday—
TasuaThe ninth of Muharram, a public mourning holiday immediately before Ashura and closely tied to the remembrance of Karbala.Public holiday—
AshuraThe tenth of Muharram, a nationwide public mourning holiday commemorating Imam Husayn’s death at Karbala.Public holiday—
ArbaeenA nationwide public holiday forty days after Ashura, marked by mourning, pilgrimage and charitable hospitality.Public holiday—
Death of Prophet and Imam HasanA nationwide mourning holiday on 28 Safar for Prophet Muhammad and Imam Hasan in Iran’s official Shi'a calendar.Public holiday—
Martyrdom of Imam RezaA nationwide 29 Safar mourning holiday for Imam Reza, centred especially on his shrine and the pilgrimage city of Mashhad.Public holiday—
Martyrdom of Imam Hasan al-AskariIran’s nationwide 8 Rabi al-Awwal mourning holiday commemorates Imam Hasan al-Askari, the eleventh Imam in Twelver Shi'a Islam.Public holiday—
Birthday of Prophet and Imam SadiqA nationwide public holiday on 17 Rabi al-Awwal celebrating Prophet Muhammad’s birth and the birth of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq.Public holiday—
Martyrdom of Lady FatimaA nationwide mourning holiday on 3 Jumada al-Thani for Lady Fatima, daughter of Prophet Muhammad and a central figure in Shi'a Islam.Public holiday—
Yalda NightAn important cultural observance around the winter solstice, celebrated with long family gatherings, poetry, fruit and storytelling rather than a statutory day off.Cultural observance—
Birthday of Imam AliA nationwide religious public holiday on 13 Rajab, honouring Imam Ali; it is also widely observed as Father’s Day in Iran.Public holiday—

Sources for Iran holidays

Calendar dates and classifications are checked against the primary calendar sources below. Historical and cultural claims have additional citations on each individual holiday guide.