{"id":68959,"date":"2023-12-20T17:26:18","date_gmt":"2023-12-20T17:26:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/?p=68959"},"modified":"2026-11-02T02:50:45","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T02:50:45","slug":"christmas-in-tehrans-armenian-districts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/christmas-in-tehrans-armenian-districts\/","title":{"rendered":"Christmas in Tehran: Mirza Shirazi Street and the Armenian Quarter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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&#8217;s best-known Christmas street, and families of every faith come to shop and take photos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Christmas 2026 dates:<\/strong> many Christians celebrate on Friday 25 December 2026, while Armenian Apostolic Christians celebrate on Wednesday 6 January 2027. Before planning, read the latest <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/is-it-safe-to-visit-iran\/\">official travel advice for Iran<\/a>; as of 2 November 2026 several governments advise against travel to Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Christmas-in-Tehrans-Armenian-Districts4.jpg\" alt=\"Christmas decorations in a shop on Mirza Shirazi Street, Christmas in Tehran\" class=\"wp-image-68961\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Christmas-in-Tehrans-Armenian-Districts4.jpg 800w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Christmas-in-Tehrans-Armenian-Districts4-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Christmas-in-Tehrans-Armenian-Districts4-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Christmas-in-Tehrans-Armenian-Districts4-627x470.jpg 627w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Shop windows on Mirza Shirazi Street in December<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-flat ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/christmas-in-tehrans-armenian-districts\/#mirza-shirazi-street-tehrans-christmas-market\" >Mirza Shirazi Street: Tehran&#8217;s Christmas market<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/christmas-in-tehrans-armenian-districts\/#a-celebration-shared-beyond-the-armenian-community\" >A celebration shared beyond the Armenian community<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/christmas-in-tehrans-armenian-districts\/#churches-and-community-life\" >Churches and community life<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/christmas-in-tehrans-armenian-districts\/#what-to-see-and-do\" >What to see and do<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/christmas-in-tehrans-armenian-districts\/#plan-your-visit\" >Plan your visit<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/christmas-in-tehrans-armenian-districts\/#frequently-asked-questions\" >Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"mirza-shirazi-street-tehrans-christmas-market\"><\/span>Mirza Shirazi Street: Tehran&#8217;s Christmas market<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"625\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/002-1024x625.jpg\" alt=\"Christmas trees and decorations for sale in Tehran\" class=\"wp-image-68963\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/002-1024x625.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/002-780x476.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/002-768x469.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/002-769x470.jpg 769w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/002.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Christmas trees and decorations for sale<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"a-celebration-shared-beyond-the-armenian-community\"><\/span>A celebration shared beyond the Armenian community<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Armenians have long lived and run businesses in this part of Tehran, and the street&#8217;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&#8217;s most cheerful places in winter.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Christmas-in-Tehran-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Lights and decorations for Christmas in Tehran&#039;s Armenian quarter\" class=\"wp-image-68962\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Christmas-in-Tehran-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Christmas-in-Tehran-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Christmas-in-Tehran-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Christmas-in-Tehran-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Christmas-in-Tehran-705x470.jpg 705w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Christmas-in-Tehran.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Festive lights in the Armenian quarter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"churches-and-community-life\"><\/span>Churches and community life<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The area&#8217;s churches and community centres hold special services and events at Christmas. The best known is <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/saint-sarkis-cathedral-tehrans-armenian-heritage\/\">Saint Sarkis Cathedral<\/a>, the seat of Tehran&#8217;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.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Christmas-in-Tehrans-Armenian-Districts3.jpg\" alt=\"Caf\u00e9s and shops on Mirza Shirazi Street during Christmas in Tehran\" class=\"wp-image-68964\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Christmas-in-Tehrans-Armenian-Districts3.jpg 800w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Christmas-in-Tehrans-Armenian-Districts3-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Christmas-in-Tehrans-Armenian-Districts3-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Christmas-in-Tehrans-Armenian-Districts3-627x470.jpg 627w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Caf\u00e9s and shops during the festive season<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-to-see-and-do\"><\/span>What to see and do<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Walk the length of Mirza Shirazi Street in the early evening, when the lights are on.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Stop at the long-established Armenian-run caf\u00e9s and sandwich shops for coffee, cake and cold cuts.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Visit Saint Sarkis Cathedral and the surrounding streets of the Armenian quarter.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Continue to the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/tehran-travel-guide\/\">sights of central Tehran<\/a>, such as the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art and Laleh Park nearby.<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Christmas-in-Tehrans-Armenian-Districts2.jpg\" alt=\"Mirza Shirazi Street in central Tehran\" class=\"wp-image-68965\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Christmas-in-Tehrans-Armenian-Districts2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Christmas-in-Tehrans-Armenian-Districts2-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Christmas-in-Tehrans-Armenian-Districts2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Christmas-in-Tehrans-Armenian-Districts2-627x470.jpg 627w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mirza Shirazi Street, central Tehran<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"plan-your-visit\"><\/span>Plan your visit<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The decorations usually go up in early December and stay until after the Armenian Christmas on 6 January. For more on how Iran&#8217;s Christians celebrate, read our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/christmas-in-iran\/\">Christmas in Iran<\/a>; for Isfahan&#8217;s Armenian quarter, see <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/vank-cathedral-isfahan\/\">Vank Cathedral and Jolfa<\/a>; and for hotels nearby, our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/best-5-star-hotels-in-tehran\/\">where to stay in Tehran<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"frequently-asked-questions\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-0\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Where can you see Christmas in Tehran?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">When is Christmas celebrated in Tehran?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Many Christians in Tehran celebrate on 25 December, which falls on a Friday in 2026. Armenian Apostolic Christians, the city&#8217;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.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-2\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Do Muslims in Tehran join the Christmas celebrations?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-3\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Can visitors attend Christmas services in Tehran?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Churches in Tehran&#8217;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.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-4\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">What else is near Mirza Shirazi Street?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Christmas in Tehran&#8217;s Armenian Districts: Experience vibrant markets, cultural traditions, and unique celebrations in the heart of Iran&#8217;s capital.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":68966,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15740,308,15889],"tags":[15977],"class_list":["post-68959","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tehran","category-destinations","category-events","tag-christmas"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Christmas-in-Tehrans-Armenian-Districts.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68959","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=68959"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68959\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/68966"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=68959"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=68959"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=68959"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}