Understanding Iran’s public holidays in 2026 is essential for effective planning, whether you’re scheduling business operations, booking travel, or organizing important events. This comprehensive guide focuses exclusively on confirmed nationwide holidays recognized by the Iranian government. Consequently, you can rely on these dates when coordinating work schedules and making travel arrangements throughout the year.
Official Iran Public Holidays 2026
Iran observes 23 national public holidays in 2026, combining Islamic religious commemorations with significant political anniversaries. Below is the complete list of confirmed nationwide holidays when government offices, banks, and most businesses remain closed.
| Date | Day | Holiday Name |
|---|---|---|
| January 3 | Saturday | Birthday of Imam Ali and Father’s Day |
| January 17 | Saturday | Prophet’s Ascension (Mi’raj) |
| February 3 | Tuesday | Imam Mahdi’s Birthday |
| February 11 | Wednesday | Revolution Day |
| March 11 | Wednesday | Martyrdom of Imam Ali |
| March 19 | Thursday | Oil Nationalization Day |
| March 20 | Friday | Nowruz (Persian New Year) – Day 1 |
| March 21 | Saturday | Nowruz Holiday – Day 2 |
| April 1 | Wednesday | Islamic Republic Day |
| April 13 | Monday | Martyrdom of Imam Sadeq |
| May 27 | Wednesday | Eid al-Adha (Eid-e-Ghorban) |
| June 4 | Thursday | Eid al-Ghadir (Eid-e-Ghadir) |
| June 4 | Thursday | Anniversary of Imam Khomeini’s Death |
| June 5 | Friday | Revolt of Khordad 15 |
| June 24 | Wednesday | Tassoua |
| June 25 | Thursday | Ashura |
| August 4 | Tuesday | Arbaeen |
| August 12 | Wednesday | Demise of Prophet Muhammad and Martyrdom of Imam Hassan |
| August 14 | Friday | Martyrdom of Imam Reza |
| August 21 | Friday | Martyrdom of Imam Hasan al-Askari |
| August 30 | Sunday | Birthday of Prophet Muhammad and Imam Sadeq |
| November 13 | Friday | Martyrdom of Hazrat Fatima |
| December 23 | Wednesday | Birthday of Imam Ali and Father’s Day |
Understanding Iran’s Holiday Calendar System
Iran utilizes three distinct calendar systems, which can initially seem complex for international visitors and business planners. The Solar Hijri calendar serves as the primary national calendar, while the Lunar Hijri calendar determines Islamic religious holidays. Meanwhile, the Gregorian calendar is recognized for international events and coordination.
The majority of Iran’s national holidays are rooted in Islamic religious traditions, celebrating significant events in Shia Islam history. However, the calendar also includes important political commemorations marking pivotal moments in Iran’s modern history, such as Revolution Day and Oil Nationalization Day.
Planning Tips for 2026 Holidays
Several holidays in 2026 create extended weekend opportunities that are particularly valuable for travel planning. For instance, when holidays fall adjacent to Friday (Iran’s official weekend), businesses often remain closed for consecutive days.
March 20-21 marks Nowruz, Iran’s most celebrated holiday, representing the Persian New Year and the arrival of spring. This two-day nationwide celebration typically results in extensive travel and family gatherings across the country. Therefore, if you’re planning business activities or travel during this period, expect reduced services and increased transportation demand.
In June, several holidays cluster together between June 4-5 and June 24-25, creating potential long weekend scenarios. Additionally, August features a concentration of religious commemorations, with five holidays throughout the month affecting normal business operations.
For accurate timekeeping across different time zones, particularly when coordinating international meetings around Iranian holidays, consider using reliable resources like Current Local Times Around the World. This becomes especially important when planning virtual meetings with colleagues or clients in Iran.
Important Notes for Travelers and Business Planners
During national holidays, government offices, banks, educational institutions, and many private businesses close completely. Public transportation schedules may change, and popular tourist destinations often experience higher visitor numbers. Nevertheless, hotels and tourist services generally remain operational, particularly in major cities.
Islamic holidays marked with “tentative date” notations depend on lunar sightings and may shift by one day. Consequently, it’s advisable to confirm exact dates closer to the observance, especially when making critical travel or business arrangements. For time-sensitive scheduling, using tools like precise timer tools can help coordinate activities across different time zones effectively.
Regional holidays and local observances are not included in this list, as they vary by province and municipality. This guide exclusively covers nationwide holidays that affect the entire country uniformly.
Making the Most of Your Planning
Whether you’re coordinating business operations, scheduling international conferences, or planning personal travel to Iran, keeping this holiday calendar readily accessible ensures smoother operations throughout 2026. For additional guidance on time zone management and scheduling strategies, explore our comprehensive planning guides.
Remember that Iran is among the countries with the highest number of annual public holidays globally, with approximately 26-28 days of national observance. This generous holiday schedule reflects the country’s rich cultural heritage and religious traditions. Therefore, advance planning becomes even more critical for successful business operations and travel arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which holidays are recognized nationwide in Iran?
All 23 holidays listed in this guide are recognized as official nationwide public holidays throughout Iran. These include both Islamic religious commemorations and significant political anniversaries that apply uniformly across all provinces and municipalities.
Which holidays create long weekends in 2026?
Several holidays create extended weekend opportunities in 2026. Notably, the Nowruz celebration on March 20-21 provides a two-day holiday, with March 20 falling on Friday (already a weekend day). The June 4-5 holidays also create a Thursday-Friday combination. Additionally, when holidays fall on Thursday, they often extend into the Friday weekend naturally.
Are any holidays subject to change?
Islamic holidays based on the Lunar Hijri calendar may shift by one day depending on moon sightings. These are typically marked as “tentative dates” and include holidays such as Eid al-Adha, Ashura, and various commemorations of Islamic figures. Political holidays like Revolution Day and Oil Nationalization Day remain fixed on the Solar Hijri calendar and do not change.
Do businesses close for all public holidays?
Yes, government offices, banks, and most private businesses close during official national holidays. However, essential services, hotels, restaurants, and tourist-oriented businesses often remain open, particularly in major cities and tourist areas. Transportation services may operate on reduced schedules.
How does Iran’s holiday calendar compare to other countries?
Iran observes one of the highest numbers of public holidays globally, with approximately 26-28 national holidays annually. This is considerably more than most countries, reflecting Iran’s rich cultural traditions and the significance of Islamic commemorations in national life.