The Bahá’í New Year’s Day coincides with the vernal equinox in the Earth’s Northern Hemisphere and the Autumnal Equinox in the South—that day when the sun’s light strikes the Equator directly and illuminates every continent equally. Naw-Rúz (“new day”) is an ancient Persian festival celebrating the New Year and for Bahá’ís it marks the end of the annual 19-Day Fast. Naw-Rúz is a spring festival of Persian origin which has been celebrated for over 3,000 years. The United Nations has recognized March 20th day as International Day of Nowruz as well as World Happiness Day.

Like most happy holy days, the Bahá’í New Year usually includes singing, eating, dancing and socializing. Because Naw-Ruz also marks the end of the 19-day Bahá’í Fast, it brings a warm, diverse and fascinating group of people together to eat with one another, celebrate, have fun, enjoy each other’s company and truly welcome the exciting, unlimited possibilities of a new year. But for Bahá’ís, Naw-Ruz isn’t only a party – it serves as a symbolic reminder of the oneness of all the messengers of God, and the spiritual springtime they each brought to humanity.

Program will be held in-person at the Louisville Bahá'í Center.