CANCELED: 2020 Persian New Year & Fire Jumping Festival | Berkeley

Submitted by the Event Organizer

UPDATE: Due to coronavirus concerns, this event has been cancelled for 2020.

Jump over bonfires to celebrate the change of seasons and welcome spring. A Persian ritual passed down since ancient Zoroastrian times, the Persian New Year Festival of Fire, called Chaharshanbeh Souri, (which means ‘Eve of Wednesday’) is held on the last Tuesday night in winter, just before the Vernal Equinox or first moment of spring.

This is the time of year when Persians around the world will be celebrating Nowruz (New Year).

In Iran (and parts of Afghanistan and India), it is customary for people to create bonfires in front of their homes throughout the neighborhood and jump over them as the sun is setting. Since the Persian Center owns it’s own ‘home’ at 2029 Durant Ave., it is thrilled to host this event for Iranian-Americans and all who have an interest in the culture. 

As people jump over the flames they shout, “Shorkhi-e to az man o zardi-e man az to!” which means, “Give me your beautiful red color and take back my sickly pallor!” “Parents jump with their young ones who look wary of going near the flames. Sweethearts jump in tandem. Frat boys try to out leap one another in side-by-side races,” noted a festival attendee. 

2020 Persian New Year Festival & Fire Jumping
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 | 6 pm-10 pm (rain or shine)
Persian Center, 2029 Durant Avenue, Berkeley, CA
FREE

Inside the Persian Center, a traditional altar holds green grass, live goldfish, food and other items representative of spring called the “haftseen” or seven ‘s’s as each item on the table begins with the letter ‘s’.

Persian music, food, and craft vendors, cultural organizations, and children’s activities add to the nighttime experience. This is a free, family-friendly, non-alcoholic event held outdoors at night, rain or shine.

The Persian New Year Festival is called Chahar-Shanbeh Souri, which literally means ‘Eve of Wednesday’ because the festival is always held on the last Tuesday of winter, just before the Vernal Equinox or first moment of spring.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.