Experience Chaharshanbe Suri in Iran, a joyful fire festival that happens before Nowruz. Learn how Iranians welcome the new year with fire, music, and wishes for health and happiness.
The air is cool. The sun is setting. One by one, small fires begin to glow in streets and courtyards. Children are laughing, music is playing, and people are smiling as they gather around the flames.
This is Chaharshanbe Suri, one of Iran’s most exciting and meaningful celebrations. It happens on the evening before the last Wednesday of the Persian year, just a few days before Nowruz, the Persian New Year.
In Persian, “Chaharshanbe” means Wednesday, and “Suri” means celebration or fire.
So, Chaharshanbe Suri is often called the Festival of Fire , a tradition that goes back thousands of years. It’s about letting go of the past and preparing for a fresh, healthy start.
People light small bonfires in their neighborhoods. Then, they take turns jumping over the flames while saying a traditional phrase:
This means: “Take away my sickness, and give me your warmth and strength.”
It’s a symbolic moment. You leave behind sadness, fear, or anything heavy from the past year, and you welcome energy, hope, and light.
While the fire is the center of the ritual, the night includes much more:
The whole atmosphere is full of life, part playful, part emotional.
What makes Chaharshanbe Suri special is how it brings people together. It’s not just for families, neighbors, friends, and even strangers share the fire and the moment.
In big cities like Tehran, parks fill with music, food stalls, and laughter. In smaller towns, people gather in courtyards and village squares. No matter where you are, you feel part of something warm and real.
If you’re planning to visit Iran in March, don’t miss Chaharshanbe Suri. It’s a powerful way to feel the heartbeat of Persian culture, joyful, poetic, and full of meaning.
Travelers are often invited to join the fires, taste the snacks, and be part of the ritual. You don’t need to speak Persian to feel the connection.
At our agency, we design authentic Nowruz journeys that include special nights like this. Let us help you experience Iran not just as a tourist, but as a guest welcomed by its traditions.
Chaharshanbe Suri is a night of light, but also a night of release. It’s about clearing space inside ourselves for something new, for laughter, for dreams, for a better year ahead.
Even if you don’t jump over fire, just standing beside it can change something inside you.
Because sometimes, it only takes a spark to begin again.
Take a break, sit back and relax, while we take care of your travel arrangements. Choose from a range of our tour packages, whether with inclusive flight tickets or without. Our custom-tailored packages guarantee an unforgettable experience with memories to cherish.
Our visa experts ensure seamless and timely processing of Iranian visas. From tourist and visas to for permanent residents and business, we provide end-to-end services tailored to your specific needs.
