Nature Day for the year 2024 is celebrated/observed on Sunday, April 2nd. There are until the next observance.

Nature Day, or “Sizdah Be-dar” in Persian, is an Iranian official holiday observed on April 2 in regular years and April 1 in leap years. It falls on April 2 this year. It is observed in Iranian culture on the 13th day of “Farvardin,” the first month of the Iranian calendar, to commemorate the conclusion of the “Nowruz” celebrations, and is often defined as a day for Iranians to relax and have fun in their various choices of open places. Picnicking is popular across the country, and both parents and children are eager. Preparing for the day begins well in advance.

📆 When is Nature Day?

This year, Nature Day is on April 2nd. It is the 1st Sunday in April; in 2024, it is on Tuesday.

Countdown to Nature Day

Did you know: The Persian calendar is flawless and is thought to be several times more precise than the Gregorian calendar.

You can also explore all cool things you didn’t know about and facts about April 2, 2023.

📜 History of Nature Day

Sizdah Be-dar’ literally translates to “getting rid of the number 13.” The number 13 is considered an ominous number in Iran, as it is in many other civilizations throughout the world. The scientific word for this dread is ‘triskaidekaphobia.’ Iranians believe that by going out for picnics in parks and the countryside on the 13th day of the ‘Nowruz’ celebrations, they are expunging all their bad luck and beginning the remainder of the year on a positive note. The concluding action of the day’s celebration is often seen to accomplish that purpose. Observers gather green plant shoots produced from the beginning of the ‘Nowruz’ celebrations and release them onto flowing water bodies, mainly rivers or streams, at the end of the holidays.

Aside from putting green plant shoots into waterways, the day also observes a variant of the western ‘April Fool’ known as “Lie of the Thirteenth,” which often entails playing pranks on others. Other entertaining activities to commemorate the day include singing, dancing, chatting, playing games, and, for young singles, tying knots in the grass in the hope of attracting husbands-a habit that has deep roots in an Iranian religious story. On this day, Iranian cuisine such as “Sekanjabin” (a vinegar and honey drink) and “Ash-e Doogh” (yogurt syrup) is commonly consumed.

☑️ Nature Day facts

Months have a consecutive number of days
Except for the last month, “Esfand,” which can be 29 or 30 in leap years, the first six months on the calendar have 31 days and the last six months have 30 days.

Corresponds with the seasons
Dividing the year into three months corresponds precisely with dividing the four seasons into a year, i.e., seasons fall within three months each.

Corresponds with zodiac signs
Its month matches precisely with the zodiac signs, which means that each zodiac sign fits perfectly within one single, entire month.

Things to do on Nature Day

Prepare those special treats
No Nature Day would be complete without a healthy dosage of “Sekanjabin.” Make sure you have some or can acquire some.

Have a picnic
This, in fact, is what makes the day worthy of commemoration. Go on a picnic with your family and do anything you like. But don’t forget to throw those green shoots into the river.

Prepare for the year ahead
Because Nature Day concludes the ‘Nowruz’ festival, don’t rely only on your good fortune. Prepare for the rest of the year to be fantastic.

📅 Nature Day Observances

YEAR DATE DAY
2023 April 2 Sunday
2024 April 2 Tuesday
2025 April 2 Wednesday
2026 April 2 Thursday
2027 April 2 Friday

Explore all April holidays, including Special Interest and other Cultural holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and must-know facts about Nature Day. So be sure to check back soon.