Iran has the most yearly public holidays in the world — a mix of Iranian-specific occasions and Islamic-calendar commemorations, listed here with their dates.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has the highest number of yearly public holidays in the world, all deeply rooted in the country’s cultural, religious and historical heritage. The calendar mixes Islamic occasions with Iranian-specific holidays, each commemorated with its own customs and rituals.
Plan around them. Islamic-calendar dates shift each year against the Gregorian calendar, and offices, banks and many shops close on public holidays. Check dates in advance when scheduling travel or administrative tasks.
Iranian-specific holidays
| Occasion | Date | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nowruz | 1st – 4th Farvardin (21st – 25th March) |
| 2 | Islamic Republic Day | 12th Farvardin (1st April) |
| 3 | Nature Day | 13th Farvardin (2nd April) |
| 4 | Death Anniversary of Imam Khomeini (ra) | 14th Khordad (3rd June) |
| 5 | 15th Khordad Uprising | 15th Khordad (4th June) |
| 6 | Islamic Revolution Day | 22nd Bahman (11th February) |
| 7 | Oil Nationalisation Day | 29th Isfand (20th March) |
Islamic calendar holidays
| Occasion | Date | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tasua | 9th Muharram |
| 2 | Ashura — Martyrdom of Imam Husayn (a) | 10th Muharram |
| 3 | Arbaeen | 20th Safar |
| 4 | Death Anniversary of the Holy Prophet (s) & Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba (a) | 28th Safar |
| 5 | Martyrdom of Imam al-Ridha (a) | 30th Safar |
| 6 | Martyrdom of Imam Hasan al-Askari (a) | 8th Rabi’ al-Awwal |
| 7 | Birth Anniversary of the Holy Prophet (s) & Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (a) | 17th Rabi’ al-Awwal |
| 8 | Martyrdom of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (a) | 3rd Jumad al-Thani |
| 9 | Birth Anniversary of Imam Ali (a) | 13th Rajab |
| 10 | Start of the Prophetic Mission (Mabath) | 27th Rajab |
| 11 | Birth Anniversary of Imam al-Mahdi (a) | 15th Sha’baan |
| 12 | Martyrdom of Imam Ali (a) | 21st Ramadhan |
| 13 | Eid al-Fitr | 1st & 2nd Shawwal |
| 14 | Martyrdom of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (a) | 25th Shawwal |
| 15 | Eid al-Adha | 10th Dhul Hijjah |
| 16 | Eid al-Ghadir | 18th Dhul Hijjah |
Comments & suggestions
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