Christmas in Tehran: Mirza Shirazi Street and the Armenian Quarter
Christmas in Tehran: From Majidiyeh to Mirza Shirazi Street
Christmas in Tehran is centred on Mirza Shirazi Street and the surrounding Armenian neighbourhood, where shop windows fill with Christmas trees, lights and Santa Claus figures every December. It is the capital’s best-known Christmas street, and families of every faith come to shop and take photos.
Christmas 2026 dates: many Christians celebrate on Friday 25 December 2026, while Armenian Apostolic Christians celebrate on Wednesday 6 January 2027. Before planning, read the latest official travel advice for Iran; as of 2 November 2026 several governments advise against travel to Iran.
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Mirza Shirazi Street: Tehran’s Christmas market
Mirza Shirazi Street runs through central Tehran between Karim Khan Zand Boulevard and Motahari Street, in the old Sanai and Behjatabad area. It is known all year for its toy and doll shops, and in December the shops add pine trees, red baubles, lights and gifts, turning the street into an informal Christmas market.
A celebration shared beyond the Armenian community
Armenians have long lived and run businesses in this part of Tehran, and the street’s decorations mark the run-up to both Christmas and the Western New Year. Shopkeepers say Muslim families and other Tehranis join in too, buying decorations, sweets and gifts, which makes the street one of the city’s most cheerful places in winter.
Churches and community life
The area’s churches and community centres hold special services and events at Christmas. The best known is Saint Sarkis Cathedral, the seat of Tehran’s Armenian diocese, a short walk from Mirza Shirazi Street near Karim Khan Zand Boulevard. Churches are places of worship first, so dress modestly and ask before taking photographs.
What to see and do
- Walk the length of Mirza Shirazi Street in the early evening, when the lights are on.
- Stop at the long-established Armenian-run cafés and sandwich shops for coffee, cake and cold cuts.
- Visit Saint Sarkis Cathedral and the surrounding streets of the Armenian quarter.
- Continue to the sights of central Tehran, such as the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art and Laleh Park nearby.
Plan your visit
The decorations usually go up in early December and stay until after the Armenian Christmas on 6 January. For more on how Iran’s Christians celebrate, read our guide to Christmas in Iran; for Isfahan’s Armenian quarter, see Vank Cathedral and Jolfa; and for hotels nearby, our guide to where to stay in Tehran.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can you see Christmas in Tehran?
The best place is Mirza Shirazi Street and the surrounding Armenian neighbourhood in central Tehran, between Karim Khan Zand Boulevard and Motahari Street. In December its toy and gift shops fill with Christmas trees, lights and decorations, and Saint Sarkis Cathedral is a short walk away.
When is Christmas celebrated in Tehran?
Many Christians in Tehran celebrate on 25 December, which falls on a Friday in 2026. Armenian Apostolic Christians, the city’s largest Christian community, celebrate on 6 January, so the decorations on Mirza Shirazi Street usually stay up from early December until after that date.
Do Muslims in Tehran join the Christmas celebrations?
Many do. Shopkeepers on Mirza Shirazi Street say Muslim families and other Tehranis come to buy decorations, sweets and gifts and to enjoy the lights, so the street is busy with people of every background in December, especially in the evenings and at weekends.
Can visitors attend Christmas services in Tehran?
Churches in Tehran’s Armenian quarter, including Saint Sarkis Cathedral, hold special services at Christmas. They are places of worship first, so contact the church in advance, dress modestly and ask before taking photographs. Services are often held in the Armenian language.
What else is near Mirza Shirazi Street?
The street is in central Tehran, close to Karim Khan Zand Boulevard, Laleh Park and the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art. Armenian-run cafu00e9s and sandwich shops line the area, making it easy to combine a Christmas walk with food and sightseeing in the city centre.
