Festivals in Iraq

Discover traditional festivals and celebrations of this country

Asia / Western Asia/Middle East

Festivals

Ramadan

Season or date: 9th month of Islamic calendar

Holy month with daytime fasting and charity

Eid al-Fitr

Season or date: End of fasting month

Three-day festival celebrating end of fasting

Eid al-Adha

Season or date: 10th of 12th Islamic month

Feast of Sacrifice; slaughtering and sharing livestock

Ashura

Season or date: 10th of 1st Islamic month

Shia event mourning Imam Hussein's martyrdom

Arbaeen Pilgrimage

Season or date: 40 days after Ashura

Millions walk on pilgrimage to Karbala

Nawruz

Season or date: March 21

Kurdish New Year and spring festival

Baghdad International Film Festival

Season or date: October

Film event promoting post-war cultural revival

Basra International Dates Festival

Season or date: Autumn

Industrial festival celebrating date palm harvest

Kurdistan Music Festival

Season or date: Summer

Highland festival enjoying ethnic music and dance

Ta'ziyeh Theater

Season or date: Month of Muharram

Traditional Shia religious drama performances

Public holidays

  • New Year's Day (January 1)
  • Iraqi Army Day (January 6)
  • Sovereignty Day (June 30)
  • National Day (October 3)
  • Revolution Day (July 14)
  • Ramadan
  • Eid al-Fitr
  • Eid al-Adha
  • Ashura
  • Christmas (December 25)

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