یلدا

Yalda is celebrated nationwide on the night of the winter solstice (December 20-21). Regional dishes vary: Tehran families typically eat anar (pomegranate), hendoone (watermelon stored from summer), and ajil (mixed nuts and dried fruit) while reading Hafez. In Yazd and Kerman, shirin polo (sweet rice) and traditional sweets feature more prominently. Tabriz and Azerbaijani communities call it Chelle Gejasi (Night of Chelle) and emphasize storytelling. Iranian Jewish communities have their own Yalda traditions tied to family gatherings. Among diaspora, Yalda is one of the most consistently preserved holidays, often celebrated even by Iranians who do not observe Nowruz publicly.