Take part in our cultural and creative community events celebrating Persian New Year and the arrival of spring, including exhibitions, music, family activities, poetry, a bazaar and more.
Our Nowruz Festival is a community-wide creative celebration of Persian New Year and the arrival of spring, a moment to come together, share stories and find connection as the seasons turn. At a time when community can feel especially important, we open our doors to everyone, whether you observe Nowruz each year, are discovering Persian culture, holidays and traditions for the first time, or just want to join in.
Embracing the arrival of spring, Nowruz is a 14 day tradition enjoyed for more than 3,000 years by over 300 million people worldwide, particularly across Western Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Black Sea Basin, the Balkans, and South Asia. Deeply rooted in Persian culture, Nowruz is marked by renewal, hope and time spent together with friends and family, especially outdoors. The Nowruz festivities culminate after 13 days on Sizdeh Bedar, also known as Nature’s Day, during which people spend time picnicking outdoors to keep bad luck at bay.
Waterlow Park, with its secret enclaves, ponds and myriad of trees (including a Persian Ironwood), brings to mind a Persian garden, and has become an important and beautiful place for local families and friends to come together. For the third year, we are bringing the festivities inside Lauderdale House under the guidance of our Artist/Curator Mehrdad Aref-Adib. Our Nowruz Festival focuses on celebrating the cultural traditions and artistic expression associated with the beginning of spring, rather than religious or political themes, so that all communities feel welcome.
Find all the activities and dates below, with more events coming soon.
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