Colorful Persian Celebrations Every Child Should Know
Persian culture is filled with colorful and meaningful celebrations that bring families together and mark the changing of seasons. These special days are not only fun but also full of values like love, light, kindness, and togetherness. Learning about these traditions can help children better understand the Persian language and culture in a joyful way.
Nowruz: Persian New Year and the Start of Spring
Nowruz is the most important holiday in Iran. It marks the first day of spring, usually on March 21st, and is a joyful celebration of renewal, life, and hope. Families clean their homes, wear new clothes, and visit relatives and friends.
One of the highlights of Nowruz is the Haft-Seen table. It includes seven symbolic items that all begin with the Persian letter “Seen.” These items stand for health, love, patience, purity, life, abundance, and wealth. Nowruz is a time for happiness and fresh beginnings.
Mehregan: A Day of Gratitude and Love
Mehregan is another important celebration in Persian culture. It is a day of thanksgiving and is all about expressing love and kindness to others. Families often cook special foods, decorate their homes, and exchange gifts. Mehregan teaches children the importance of being thankful and caring for one another.
Sepandarmazgan: Love, Friendship, and the Earth
This holiday, celebrated on February 18th, is often compared to Valentine’s Day. Sepandarmazgan is a day to honor love, friendship, and nature. On this day, people exchange simple gifts like raisins and sunflower seeds and celebrate the idea of loving both people and the Earth.
Chaharshanbe Suri: Jumping Over Fire
Chaharshanbe Suri is a festival of fire celebrated on the last Tuesday night of the Persian calendar year. People light small fires and jump over them to symbolically leave behind negativity and welcome health and happiness. The fire represents light defeating darkness, and children love this exciting tradition that marks the arrival of spring.
Yalda Night: The Longest Night of the Year
Yalda Night is a special winter celebration that takes place on the longest night of the year, around December 21st. Families gather together to eat, tell stories, and read poetry. Traditional Yalda foods include pomegranates, nuts, and watermelon—fruits from the last harvest of summer. It’s a night full of warmth, connection, and memories.
Learn Persian Through Holidays with Dinolingo
Children can explore these beautiful holidays while learning Persian with Dinolingo. With interactive games, stories, and videos for kids ages 2 to 14, Dinolingo makes learning a new language fun and engaging. Whether it’s celebrating Nowruz or learning about the Haft-Seen table, kids can build language skills and cultural knowledge in a way that feels playful and natural. Dinolingo is available on web, iOS, and Android, with family plans, offline access, and rewards that motivate kids to keep learning.