Iran (Islamic Republic Of) Travel Guide - Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

2008
8 Jan Eid-e Ghadir Khom.
19 Jan Tassoua.
30 Jan Ashura.
11 Feb Victory of Islamic Revolution.
10 Mar Arbaeen.
18 Mar Demise of  Prophet Mohammad.
20 Mar Martyrdom of Imam Reza.
8 Aug Birthday Imam Ali.
30 July Prophet Mohammad receives his calling.
9 Sep Birthday Imam Mahdi.
2 Oct Eid-e Fitr (Ramadan Ends).
15 Oct Martyrdom Imam Ali.
18 Nov Martyrdom Imam Jafar Sadegh.
9 Dec Eid-e Ghorban.
29 Dec Islamic New Year.

2009
Jan* Eid-e Ghadir Khom.
7 Jan Ashura.
19 Jan Tassoua.
11 Feb Victory of Islamic Revolution.
9 Mar Arbaeen.
18 Mar Demise of  Prophet Mohammad.
20 Mar Martyrdom of Imam Reza.
8 Aug Birthday Imam Ali.
20 Jul Prophet Mohammad receives his calling.
9 Sep Birthday Imam Mahdi.
21 Sep Eid-e Fitr (Ramadan Ends).
15 Oct Martyrdom Imam Ali.
28 Nov Eid-e Ghorban.

* Dates to be confirmed.

Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid-e Ghorban may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.