Festivals and celebrationsMiddle EastZoroastrian
Tirgan
In its own language: تیرگان (Tirgān)
An ancient Iranian summer festival of water, poetry and rainbow bands, kept on the thirteenth day of Tir.
Tirgan is an early summer celebration in Iran that honours rain and peace through water splashing, dancing and shared meals. It falls on Tir 13, usually July 2 to 4, and survives in Mazandaran, Khorasan, Arak and major cities like Tehran and Isfahan. Zoroastrians also mark it abroad in Europe and North America.
When is Tirgan in 2027?
Tirgan 2027 is on Sunday, 4 July 2027. The date follows the moon or a local calendar, so it can move by a day. Other years: 2026, Saturday, 4 July 2026; 2028, Monday, 3 July 2028.
Tirgan is an ancient Iranian summer festival that celebrates rain, peace and the bounty of the season. People gather to splash water, dance, recite poetry and share dishes like spinach soup. The day marks the thirteenth of the month Tir and links to the legend of Arash the Archer, whose arrow defined borders and brought relief from drought.
Origins and legend
The festival honours Tishtrya, a celestial being linked to thunder and life-giving rain. Ancient texts describe how this star moves swiftly toward the ocean. A well-known story tells of Arash the Archer, chosen to settle a border dispute between Iran and Turan. He loosed an arrow on the thirteenth day of Tir. Where it landed set the boundary. Turan had suffered drought, and rain fell on both lands, bringing peace. Historians such as Biruni and Gardezi recorded these accounts, noting the arrow flew from Amol toward Khorasan.
How it is kept
Celebrations involve splashing water, dancing and reciting Persian poetry. Children tie rainbow-coloured bands on their wrists for ten days before tossing them into a stream. Communities serve traditional foods, including spinach soup and sholezard. In Mazandaran and Gilan, the event is known as Tirema Sizda due to calendar shifts. It is observed in northern Iran, central cities like Yazd and Kerman, and by Zoroastrian communities in Europe and North America.
Food and drink
Shared meals are central to the gathering. Spinach soup appears frequently as a seasonal dish served during the festivities. Sholezard, a sweet saffron rice pudding, is also common. These foods bring people together after days of dancing and water play. The feast reflects the summer harvest and the gratitude for rain. Families and friends gather to eat, sing and celebrate the return of cool breezes and the promise of continued rainfall for crops.
How Tirgan is kept
People splash water on each other, dance in circles and recite poetry. Children wear rainbow wristbands for ten days before casting them into streams. Communities serve spinach soup and sholezard. Zoroastrians mark the day with prayers and gatherings. The event happens in cities across Iran and among diaspora groups in Canada and the US.
When and where
It falls on Tir 13, usually July 2, 3 or 4. The date follows the Iranian solar calendar and aligns with early summer.
It is strongest in Mazandaran, Khorasan and Arak. Major cities like Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz also host celebrations. Zoroastrians observe it in Europe and North America.
What Tirgan means
Tirgan honours Tishtrya, the star of rain and thunder. The legend of Arash symbolises peace and the end of drought. Water represents life and renewal. Rainbow bands ward off harm and celebrate joy. The festival connects people to ancient sky beliefs and the need for seasonal rain.
On the table
- Spinach soup
- Sholezard
Tirgan dates: 2026, 2027, 2028
| Year | Tirgan date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday, 4 July 2026 |
| 2027 | Sunday, 4 July 2027 |
| 2028 | Monday, 3 July 2028 |
This date follows the moon or a local calendar and can move by a day, so check with a local source nearer the time.
Questions people ask about Tirgan
When is Tirgan in 2027?
Tirgan 2027 is on Sunday, 4 July 2027. The date follows the moon or a local calendar, so it can move by a day. Other years: 2026, Saturday, 4 July 2026; 2028, Monday, 3 July 2028.
What is Tirgan?
Tirgan is an ancient Iranian summer festival celebrated on Tir 13. It involves water splashing, dancing, poetry and shared meals like spinach soup. It honours rain and peace through the legend of Arash the Archer.
Where is it celebrated?
It is widely observed in Iran, especially in Mazandaran, Khorasan and Arak. Cities like Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz host events. Zoroastrians also mark it in Canada, the US and Europe.
What do children do?
Children tie rainbow-coloured bands on their wrists. They wear them for ten days before throwing them into a stream. This act brings joy and is part of the celebration.
See also
ChristmasA festival of Jesus's birth, kept on 25 December with gifts, lights and shared meals
HalloweenAn annual observance on 31 October marking the eve of All Saints' Day, rooted in Christian tradition and Celtic heritage
Christmas treeA decorated evergreen or artificial tree placed indoors to mark the Christmas season.
NowruzThe Iranian new year at the March equinox, kept with fire, greenery and picnicsGood reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Tirgan", 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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