Nowruz 2025: Traditions, Haft Sin and celebrations of the Persian New Year

As winter fades in the Northern Hemisphere and the days grow longer, millions of people prepare to welcome Nowruz, the Persian New Year, which marks the arrival of spring and symbolises fresh beginnings.

Observed for more than 3,000 years, this 13-day festival unites communities across Iran, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Balkans, parts of the Middle East and beyond.

Here is everything you need to know about the tradition and its unique customs.

What is Nowruz?
Nowruz, meaning “New Day” in Persian, marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the New Year in the Persian solar calendar.

With origins dating back three millennia, Nowruz is rooted in Zoroastrianism – an ancient Persian religion that predates Christianity and Islam. It also remains one of the world’s oldest continuously celebrated holidays. While many ancient festivals have faded, Nowruz has been passed down through generations and is still widely observed today.

It aligns with the spring equinox when the sun crosses the celestial equator. This not only marks the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, but also brings a nearly equal day and night in most places across the region, symbolising renewal, balance, and new beginnings – the essence of Nowruz.

When is it celebrated?
Nowruz is celebrated at the exact moment of the spring equinox when the sun crosses the celestial equator. In 2025, this occurs on Thursday, March 20, at 12:31:30pm Iran Standard Time (9:01:30 GMT).