Nowruz, meaning "new day", is the Persian word that marks the day of the Iranian New Year, also known as the Persian New Year.

The festival that celebrates new growth begins on the spring equinox - when night and day are of equal length, on 20-21 March. It is traditionally celebrated in Iran, Afghanistan and parts of central Asia.

The Nowruz festival, which has been reportedly celebrated over 3,000 years, also marks the beginning of the first month of the Solar Hijri calendar - of Farvardin.