Iraq Live Events
Arbaeen, Nowruz in Kurdistan and the Baghdad International Book Fair
Iraq's live events calendar reflects the country's extraordinary cultural and religious diversity — the Arbaeen pilgrimage to Karbala is the world's largest annual human gathering, Nowruz is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the Kurdistan Region, and the Baghdad International Book Fair is one of the most important literary events in the Arab world.
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Nowruz in Iraqi Kurdistan
The Kurdish New Year — fire, dancing and the most joyful celebration in Iraq
Nowruz (meaning "New Day") is the most important holiday in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq — the Kurdish New Year, celebrated on 21 March (the spring equinox) with extraordinary energy and joy. On the eve of Nowruz, Kurds light bonfires on the hilltops above their cities — a tradition dating back thousands of years — and the following day is marked by outdoor picnics, traditional music and dancing, colourful traditional dress, and the extraordinary atmosphere of a people celebrating their cultural identity. Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok are the best cities to experience Nowruz in Iraqi Kurdistan, with the celebrations in the mountains above Erbil being particularly spectacular.
Event Highlights
- Bonfires lit on the hilltops above Kurdish cities on the eve of Nowruz
- Traditional Kurdish music, dancing, and colourful dress
- Outdoor picnics in the mountains and parks
- The most joyful and accessible festival in Iraq for Western visitors
- Celebrated on 21 March — the spring equinox
- The Kurdistan Region — one of the safest parts of Iraq for visitors
What to Do There
- Watch the hilltop bonfires on the eve of Nowruz
- Join the outdoor picnics and dancing
- Visit the Erbil Citadel
- Explore the Shaqlawa mountain resort
- Try traditional Kurdish food
Event Info
Next Event
21 March annually
Location
Kurdistan Region — Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok
Duration
1–3 days
Ticket Price
Free
Travel Tips
- ·Fly direct to Erbil from London (5 hours)
- ·The Kurdistan Region has its own visa policy — check requirements
- ·Erbil is very safe for Western visitors
- ·Combine with Babylon and the holy cities of Karbala and Najaf
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