Sizdah Bedar
سیزدهبدر
About Sizdah Bedar
Sizdah Bedar, the thirteenth day of Farvardin, draws Iranian families outdoors for the great closing picnic of Nowruz — into parks, riverbanks, mountain meadows, and countryside groves where the Sabzeh from the haft-sin table is released into running water to carry away the year's ill-fortune. The spread is unapologetically picnic-friendly: skewers of Kabab Koobideh and Jujeh Kabab grilled on portable braziers, platters of crisp Salad Shirazi glistening with lime and mint, tangy Kahu Sekanjabin (romaine leaves dipped in cool vinegar-mint syrup) traditionally associated with this open-air day, and frosty glasses of Doogh poured against the spring sun. Persian-speaking communities across Iran, Kurdish regions, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and the global Iranian diaspora — from Tehran's Darband to parks in Los Angeles, Toronto, and London — each carry their own picnic textures, while young women knot blades of grass with quiet wishes and children play until dusk.
Signature Dishes
Kabab Koobideh
کباب کوبیده
Jujeh Kabab
جوجه کباب
Kahu Sekanjabin
کاهو سکنجبین
Salad Shirazi
سالاد شیرازی
Doogh
دوغ
Regional Variations
Iran (national)
National holiday; mass outdoor migration to parks, countryside, riversides; Tehran sites include Darband, Tochal, Park-e Mellat, Lavasan.
Iranian Zoroastrian (Yazd, Kerman, Tehran)
Traditional Zoroastrian observance with Sizdeh-bedar prayer and ancestral outdoor gathering customs.
Kurdish (Iranian, Iraqi, Turkish Kurdistan)
Kurdish Sêdê Bedar outdoor picnic featuring Kurdish kebabs, dolma, and Kurdish dairy traditions.
Afghan (Persian-speaking + Hazara)
Afghan outdoor picnic with qabili pulao and bolani; observed within Persian-speaking Afghan communities.
Tajik / Uzbek Persian-speaking
Tajik Sizdah Bedar observed as part of Tajik national Nowruz cycle with Tajik-Persian foods.
Iranian diaspora (US, UK, Canada, Australia, France)
Community park gatherings in Toronto, Los Angeles, London, Vancouver, Sydney; Persian picnic foods plus sabzeh release where waterways permit.
Observance Practices
Family + extended kin pack picnic basket and travel to outdoor venue (park, countryside, riverside, mountain meadow)
Sabzeh (Nowruz haft-sin sprouts) released into running water, symbolically banishing the past year's ill-fortune
Outdoor picnic lunch featuring Sabzi Polo Ba Mahi, Kuku Sabzi, Salad Olivieh, Joojeh Kabab, Kabab Koobideh, dolmeh, sangak, sabzi-khordan herb platter, and ajeel
Knot-tying of grass blades by young unmarried women, accompanied by marriage wishes
Children's outdoor play and games throughout the day
Persian music, dance, and traditional poetry recitation outdoors
Late-afternoon return home, formally closing the 13-day Nowruz festival arc
Zoroastrian Sizdeh-bedar prayer at traditional gathering
Iranian Zoroastrian communities (Yazd, Kerman, Tehran)
Community-park gatherings at public parks where natural running water may be substituted for sabzeh release
Iranian diaspora
Regions
Cuisines
Related Recipes
Authentic Kabab Koobideh (کباب کوبیده) — Persian Minced Lamb Skewers
signature·Iran
Classic Jujeh Kebab (جوجه کباب) — Lemon-Garlic Saffron-Style Grilled Chicken
signature·Iran
Beranj Sabz (برنج سبز) — Persian-Style Green Rice
commonly served·Iran
Classic Boneless Joojeh Kebab (جوجه کباب) — Saffron-Yogurt Grilled Chicken Skewers
regional variant·Iran, Persian diaspora