Yalda Night 2026: Date, Meaning and Traditions
Yalda Night (Persian شب یلدا, Shab-e Yalda or Shab-e Chelleh) is the longest night of the year. It is celebrated in Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan and by Persian-speaking families around the world. Yalda is the night between 30 Azar and 1 Dey in the Persian calendar. In 1405 it falls on the evening of Monday, 21 December 2026.
When is Yalda?
The Persian (Solar Hijri) calendar is a solar calendar that stays aligned with the seasons. That is why Yalda lands on almost the same Gregorian date every year, right at the winter solstice. The table shows this year and next year:
| Persian year | Yalda (Persian date) | Gregorian date |
|---|---|---|
| 1405 | 30 Azar 1405 | Monday, 21 December 2026 |
| 1406 | 30 Azar 1406 | Tuesday, 21 December 2027 |
What does Yalda mean?
The word “Yalda” comes from Syriac and means “birth”. In pre-Islamic Iran the longest night was seen as a struggle between darkness and light. From the next morning on the days grow longer again, so the night was celebrated as the rebirth of the sun. Its other name, “Shab-e Chelleh” (night of forty), refers to the “great Chelleh”, the first forty days of winter, which start on 1 Dey.
Yalda traditions
- Families gather, usually at the grandparents’ home, and stay up late into the night.
- Pomegranates and watermelon are eaten; their red colour stands for dawn and the warmth of life.
- Ajil, a mix of nuts and dried fruit, and sweets are served.
- Fal-e Hafez: everyone makes a wish and a poem from the Divan of Hafez is read as the answer.
- Elders tell stories or read from the Shahnameh, the Persian national epic.
In 2022 “Yalda/Chelleh” was inscribed on UNESCO’s list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, nominated by Iran and Tajikistan.
Convert any other date with the Persian date converter. The next big celebration after Yalda is Nowruz 2027, the Persian New Year.
Frequently asked questions
When is Yalda 2026?
On the evening of Monday, 21 December 2026, the night between 30 Azar and 1 Dey 1405. The following year Yalda falls on 21 December 2027.
Why is Yalda always on the same day in December?
Because the Persian calendar is a solar calendar. 30 Azar always falls on 20 or 21 December, at the winter solstice.
How long is Yalda Night?
It depends on latitude. In Tehran the night lasts a little over 14 hours; in Germany or the UK it is around 16 hours.
What do people eat on Yalda?
Pomegranates, watermelon, nuts and dried fruit (ajil) are the classics. Many regions add their own dishes and sweets.