Norooz Foundation

Next: Nowruz 1406  ·  counting down

A year of gatherings, in the order the calendar gives them.

Persian festivals follow the sun: harvest, the longest night, fire, the equinox, the thirteenth day, midsummer. We keep every one of them in Coquitlam and Langley, B.C., and help communities elsewhere keep their own. Venues are announced about six weeks before each event.

  1. 2 Oct 2026 · Autumn
    Next up

    Mehregan مهرگان

    The autumn festival of Mehr — friendship, kindness and the harvest. Once second only to Nowruz, it's an evening of music and a long shared table, with a moment to name what the year gave us.

    Coquitlam · venue announced six weeks ahead

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  2. 20 Dec 2026 · Winter solstice

    Shab-e Yalda شب یلدا

    The longest night of the year, and so the first night of winter's defeat. We stay up together with pomegranates, watermelon and nuts, and take turns opening Hafez at random to read our fortune for the year.

    Langley · venue announced six weeks ahead

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  3. 16 Mar 2027 · Last Tuesday night of the year

    Chaharshanbe Suri چهارشنبه‌سوری

    Fire Wednesday, held on its eve. Small bonfires, and the old bargain shouted while you jump: my yellow to you, your red to me — leave the year's pallor behind and take the fire's warmth into the new one. Held outdoors, with the fire department's blessing.

    Outdoor site in the Tri-Cities · announced six weeks ahead

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  4. 20 Mar 2027 · Equinox, 1:25 p.m. PT
    Our biggest night

    Nowruz 1406 نوروز ۱۴۰۶

    The new year begins at the exact moment the sun crosses the equator — sāl-tahvil. We gather around a Haft-Sin, count down the last seconds together, then eat, dance and greet each other into the small hours. The celebrations run for thirteen days.

    Coquitlam · venue announced six weeks ahead · family-friendly

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  5. 2 Apr 2027 · Thirteenth day

    Sizdah Bedar سیزده‌بدر

    Nature day. On the thirteenth day of the new year everyone goes outside — a picnic in the park, however cold it is — and the sabzeh from the Haft-Sin is returned to running water, taking the year's bad luck with it.

    A park in Langley · bring a blanket and a dish

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  6. July 2027 · Midsummer

    Tirgan تیرگان

    The midsummer water festival: an afternoon by a lake or river with music, poetry and a certain amount of splashing. The most relaxed day on our calendar, and the best one for bringing friends who've never been.

    Outdoor · date and site confirmed in spring

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Between the festivals.

Smaller things, more often. Announced by email and at each gathering.

  • Poetry nights & book club

    Hafez, Rumi, Forough, Shamlou — read in Persian, discussed in whichever language the room prefers. Cultural programs

  • Panels, screenings & workshops

    Human rights conversations, civic workshops, film nights and talks. Human rights & civil society

  • School & workplace visits

    A Haft-Sin, a short talk, and a taste of the new year for classrooms, offices and community centres. Host an event

Not in the Lower Mainland? Host the next one.

We'll help with planning, promotion and a starter budget. You bring the room and the people.

Host in your city