Public Holidays in Iran
Statutory public holidays in Iran, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Iran at a glance
Iran’s public holidays follow the Solar Hijri calendar for national dates and the lunar Hijri calendar for religious ones. Nowruz, the Persian new year at the March equinox, brings the longest break of the year.
Because both calendars move against the Gregorian year, Iranian holidays drift by roughly ten days annually, and the Nowruz holidays run for nearly two weeks.
Iran public holidays 2026
Iran has 32 public holidays in 2026 – the statutory days off. The table below lists those public holidays; observances and other non-statutory dates are not part of the total.
| Holiday | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Birthday of Imam Ali (estimated) | Jan 3Sat | National |
| Isra' and Mi'raj (estimated) | Jan 17Sat | National |
| Birthday of Mahdi (estimated) | Feb 4Wed | National |
| Islamic Revolution Day | Feb 11Wed | National |
| Public Holiday | Mar 1Sun | National |
| Public Holiday | Mar 2Mon | National |
| Public Holiday | Mar 3Tue | National |
| Public Holiday | Mar 4Wed | National |
| Public Holiday | Mar 5Thu | National |
| Public Holiday | Mar 6Fri | National |
| Public Holiday | Mar 7Sat | National |
| Martyrdom of Imam Ali (estimated) | Mar 11Wed | National |
Showing 12 of 32 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Iran
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Iran.
Tehran
A sprawling capital beneath the Alborz mountains, with bazaars, museums and a modern north.
Isfahan
A city of turquoise domes, a vast ceremonial square and bridges over the Zayandeh river.
Shiraz
The city of Hafez and Saadi, with gardens, a Pink Mosque and Persepolis nearby.
Yazd
A mud-brick desert city of wind towers, Zoroastrian fire temples and quiet lanes.
Tabriz
A historic trading city on the Silk Road with a vast covered bazaar.
Mashhad
The country's holiest city, built around the shrine of Imam Reza.
Top attractions in Iran
The places that draw most visitors to Iran.
Persepolis
The ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid empire, with vast stairways of tribute reliefs.
Naqsh-e Jahan Square
A monumental Safavid square ringed by mosques, a palace and the bazaar.
Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque
A dome whose tilework shifts colour through the day, facing the square.
Nasir al-Mulk Mosque
The Pink Mosque, where morning light throws coloured glass across the prayer hall.
Eram Garden
A formal Persian garden of cypress avenues and a pavilion, now part of Shiraz University.
Golestan Palace
A Qajar palace complex of mirrored halls, marble thrones and gardens.
Festivals, food and getting around Iran
What the calendar looks like on the ground, and how to move through the country around it.
Festivals behind the holidays
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🎉
Birthday of Imam Ali and Father's Day
Falls on Jan 3
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🎉
Prophet's Ascension
Falls on Jan 17
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🎉
Imam Mahdi's birthday
Falls on Feb 3
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🎉
Revolution Day
Falls on Feb 11
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🎉
Ramadan Start
Falls on Feb 19
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🎉
Martyrdom of Imam Ali
Falls on Mar 11
Food & drink
Getting around
Long-distance buses and trains are comfortable and cheap; domestic flights cover the long desert and mountain routes.
Travelling around Iran’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Iran tighten around major holidays; reserve early for the busiest weeks.
Check opening hours
Museums, banks and government offices usually close on statutory holidays, and often on the nearest Monday.
Carry local currency
Small vendors and rural businesses frequently take cash only, especially on holidays when banks are shut.
Expect crowded transport
Long weekends produce the year's heaviest road, rail and air traffic. Build in extra travel time.
Confirm the official list
Iran's holiday dates are confirmed by government announcement; check the year page for the final arrangement.
Plan the long weekends
Pairing a holiday with adjacent weekends gives the longest breaks of the year — and the busiest.
Iran public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Iran have?
Iran has 32 public holidays in 2026, counting every date typed National, Substitute or Bank in our calendar. Observances, religious dates and regional holidays are listed separately and left out of the total, because they are not days off across the whole country.
Where can I find the full 2026 list?
The complete 2026 calendar for Iran is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Iran's public holidays paid?
Statutory national holidays are generally paid leave for employees. Observances and commemorative days are usually not.
Do holidays move if they fall on a weekend?
Where a holiday falls on a weekend, Iran typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Iran?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Iran?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Iran
School term dates in Iran
School calendar data last updated 10 Sep 2026. Dates come from education ministries and local education authorities; always re-check with the school before booking travel.