Festivals and celebrationsMiddle EastSecular and civicHindu
Hıdırellez
A spring festival marking the meeting of two prophets, celebrated across Turkey and the Balkans.
Hıdırellez is a folk holiday observed in Turkey, the Balkans, and parts of the Middle East to welcome spring. It marks the day the figures Hızır and İlyas meet on Earth. Communities gather for picnics, jump over bonfires, and make wishes for health and prosperity.
When is Hıdırellez in 2027?
Hıdırellez 2027 is on Thursday, 6 May 2027. Other years: 2026, Wednesday, 6 May 2026; 2028, Saturday, 6 May 2028.
Hıdırellez is a seasonal festival that welcomes spring across Turkey and neighboring regions. It celebrates the legendary meeting of two spiritual guides, Hızır and İlyas. People hold picnics, light fires, and share meals to ensure good health and luck for the coming year.
Origins and meaning
The name combines Hızır and İlyas, two figures believed to meet annually on Earth. This event signals the end of winter and the start of spring. In many areas, the celebration blends with local traditions honoring St. George. The date falls on May 6 in the Gregorian calendar, or April 23 in the Julian calendar. It represents renewal, fertility, and the return of life to nature.
Rituals and customs
Communities gather in parks or near water sources for outdoor feasts. A key ritual involves jumping over small bonfires three times to ward off illness. Participants also leave personal items like jewelry under rose bushes overnight to receive blessings. Wishes are often written on paper and placed in natural settings. These acts seek health, love, and good fortune for the future.
Food and gathering
Families prepare special meals to share during the festival. Lamb is a traditional meat served at these gatherings. People clean their homes and wear new clothes to mark the occasion. The feast is a time for socializing and strengthening community bonds. Picnics are held in rural areas, hills, or near shrines dedicated to the spirits.
How Hıdırellez is kept
People gather outdoors near water or hills to celebrate. They build fires and jump over them for health. Meals featuring lamb are shared among friends and family. Young people may use the day to find partners. Jewelry is left under trees for blessings. Communities clean their spaces and dress up for the festivities.
When and where
It occurs annually on May 5 and 6. The date aligns with the arrival of spring. Some regions follow the Julian calendar, observing it on April 23.
It is widely kept in Turkey, North Macedonia, Syria, Azerbaijan, Albania, and Bulgaria. Celebrations are common in villages and towns rather than large cities.
What Hıdırellez means
The festival symbolizes the reunion of land and water through the meeting of Hızır and İlyas. It represents hope, healing, and the revival of nature. Jumping over fire removes sickness. Leaving items under trees invites prosperity. The day is a bridge between winter's end and summer's beginning.
On the table
- Lamb
Hıdırellez dates: 2026, 2027, 2028
| Year | Hıdırellez date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Wednesday, 6 May 2026 |
| 2027 | Thursday, 6 May 2027 |
| 2028 | Saturday, 6 May 2028 |
Questions people ask about Hıdırellez
When is Hıdırellez in 2027?
Hıdırellez 2027 is on Thursday, 6 May 2027. Other years: 2026, Wednesday, 6 May 2026; 2028, Saturday, 6 May 2028.
What is Hıdırellez?
It is a folk holiday celebrating the meeting of the figures Hızır and İlyas. It marks the arrival of spring and is observed in Turkey and surrounding regions.
What do people do on this day?
People hold picnics, jump over bonfires for health, and leave wishes or jewelry under trees. They eat special meals, often including lamb, to celebrate the season.
See also
NowruzThe Iranian new year at the March equinox, kept with fire, greenery and picnics
MawlidAn annual festival marking the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, marked by poetry, processions and feasts.
Yaldā NightA solstice night of poetry, fruit and family, kept from Iran through Central Asia
Kupala NightA summer solstice folk festival marked by bonfires, water rituals and herbal gatherings across Eastern Europe.Good reading and sources
- Hıdırellez on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Hıdırellez", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryParampara rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-04.
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