Novruz Festival in Baku: The Ultimate Guide (2025)

If you can choose only one time to visit Azerbaijan, make it March. Novruz (Persian New Year) is the most colorful, delicious, and joyful time of the year.

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What is Novruz? 🌱

Novruz marks the Spring Equinox (March 20-21) and the arrival of the new year. It celebrates the awakening of nature.

• Dates: March 20-24 (Public Holidays).
• Vibe: Like Christmas, New Year, and Easter combined.

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The 4 Tuesdays (Charshanbas) 🔥

The celebration starts 4 weeks before the actual holiday. Each Tuesday celebrates an element:

1. Water Tuesday (Su Çərşənbəsi)
2. Fire Tuesday (Od Çərşənbəsi)
3. Wind Tuesday (Yel Çərşənbəsi)
4. Earth Tuesday (Torpaq Çərşənbəsi) - The biggest pre-holiday celebration.

Tradition: On these Tuesdays, people light bonfires (tonqal) in the streets and jump over them to "burn away" last year's troubles. Yes, you can jump too!

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The Sweets (Xonça) 🍪

You MUST try these. They are everywhere.

1. Shekerbura: Crescent-shaped pastry filled with nuts and sugar. Symbolizes the Moon.
2. Pakhlava: Layered diamond-shaped pastry with nuts and honey. Symbolizes the Stars.
3. Gogal: Round, yellow, flaky pastry (salty or sweet). Symbolizes the Sun.

Semeni: You will see plates of green sprouted wheat (grass) everywhere. It symbolizes new life.

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Where to Celebrate in Baku 🎉

1. Icherisheher (Old City): The heart of the festival. Street fairs, folk music, dancers, and food stalls.
2. Seaside Boulevard: Huge concerts, markets, and fireworks.
3. Fountain Square: Pop-up markets selling crafts and souvenirs.

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Traditions to Watch For 👀

• Kosa and Kechal: Two comic characters (one with a beard, one bald) who perform street theater.
• Hat Throwing (Papaqatdı): Kids throw hats at doors and hide. The homeowner fills the hat with sweets. (Like Halloween trick-or-treat).

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Summary

• When: March 20-24.
• Do: Jump over a fire.
• Eat: Shekerbura and Pakhlava.
• Wear: Comfortable shoes for walking the festivals.

Novruz Bayramınız Mübarək! (Happy Novruz!)