Nowruz is the ancient Persian festival often called the Persian New Year.
Nowruz begins at the spring equinox and marks the start of the Iranian Solar Hijri calendar year. Its name comes from Persian words meaning “new day.” The festival is celebrated in Iran and by communities across Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Balkans, and parts of the Middle East and South Asia.
Customs include preparing a Haft-sin table, visiting relatives, wearing new clothes, and welcoming renewal. Nowruz is sometimes incorrectly grouped with December 31 New Year's Eve celebrations because both mark a new year, but they occur at different times and arise from different calendar traditions. The United Nations recognized March 21 as the International Day of Nowruz in 2010, while the exact astronomical moment of the holiday can vary by year and location.