Description
Honor the new year at our annual Nowruz Family Day. Come dressed in your Nowruz best and welcome spring with free attractions for all ages, including storytelling, hands-on activities, and more. Persian sweets and food will be available for purchase. Learn about Nowruz.
Register in advance to make sure you get the best experience. Some activities have a limited capacity, with entry on a first-come, first-served basis.
A note about construction and accessibility: The 12th St. sidewalk that runs north and south between Jefferson Dr. and Independence Ave. will be closed due to construction. We encourage you to use the Enid A. Haupt Garden to get from Independence Ave. to Jefferson Dr., and vice versa. Find more accessibility details.
Performances
All performance locations have limited capacity, and access will not be allowed once capacity is reached.
- Storytelling with Xanthe
Ripley Center, Discovery Theater, level B3
12:30, 2:00, and 3:30 p.m. - Musical Performances by Kimia Hesabi and Erin Murphy Snedecor
West Building, Meyer Auditorium, level G
12:45, 2:00, and 3:45 p.m.
Special thanks to Gandomak Children Persian School and our backgammon community players.
- Haft Sin Table
West Building, North Lobby
11 a.m.–4 p.m. - Haft Sin Table
East Building, Gallery 30
11 a.m.–4 p.m. - Scavenger Hunt and Storybook Reading
West Building, Galleries 3 and 4
11 a.m.–1 p.m. - Wish Tree
West Building, South Corridor
11 a.m.–4 p.m. - Backgammon and Chess
West Building, South Corridor
12–3 p.m. - Calligraphy by Alibaba Awrang
East Building, B1 Lobby
11 a.m.–1 p.m. and 2–4 p.m.
Special thanks to Iranian Community School, FarsiSpeakingKids, Gandomak Children Persian School, and Nina Mortazavi.
- Postcard and Nasir al-Mulk Mosque Suncatcher Craft by Gandomak School
West Building, Freer Conference Room, level GR
11 a.m.–4 p.m. - Threads of Iran: Regional Clothing Craft by Nina Mortazavi
East Building, Gallery 27
11 a.m.–4 p.m. - Printing in Persian: Linocut Printmaking with Kucheh Art Studio + Shop
East Building, Gallery 27
11 a.m.-4 p.m - Hyacinth Craft by Iranian Community School/FarsiSpeakingKids
East Building, ImaginAsia Classroom, level B2
11 a.m.–4 p.m. - Haft Sin Coloring
West Building, North Corridor
11 a.m.–1 p.m. - Haft Sin Coloring with Iranian Community School/FarsiSpeakingKids
East Building, Gallery 30
11 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Docent-Led Spotlight Talks
West Building, Galleries 3–4
1–2 p.m., 2–3 p.m., 3–4 p.m. - Docent-Led Spotlight Talks
West Building, Gallery 12
1–2 p.m., 2–3 p.m., 3–4 p.m. - Tours with Curator Antonietta Catanzariti
East Building, Gallery 21
1–2 p.m. and 2:30–3:30 p.m.
Sales until supplies last. Lines for food vendors end at 3:30 p.m.
- Moby Dick
Ripley Center, Room 3037
12–4 p.m. - KooKoo DC
Ripley Center, Room 3035
12–4 p.m. - Kandu Pastry
Ripley Center, Room 3037
12–4 p.m. - The Persian Table
Ripley Center, Room 3031
12–4 p.m. - Afghan Chai
Ripley Center, Room 3031
12–4 p.m.
Nowruz, the Persian word for “new day,” marks the vernal equinox and the first day of spring. Rooted in Zoroastrianism (the religion of Iran before the advent of Islam), Nowruz was celebrated in Iran and much of the ancient Near East as early as three thousand years ago. Today, people in many regions—from West Asia and the Caucasus to Central and South Asia—participate in the thirteen days of Nowruz festivities with their own local variations.
Featured exhibitions: Engaging the Senses and Feast Your Eyes.
Our annual festival is made possible by the Jahangir and Eleanor Amuzegar Persian Cultural Celebrations Fund.
Image: National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Photographed by Cory Grace.
Cost
Free. Register in advance (recommended)
Get Tickets/Register
Accessibility & Accommodations
ASL-interpreted program, Assisted listening devices, Wheelchair accessible
Topics
Celebrations, Gallery Talks & Tours, Kids & Families, Performances, Workshops
