Yalda Night – in Persian Shab-e Yalda or Shab-e Chelleh – is one of the loveliest family celebrations in Iranian culture. It is held on the longest night of the year, around the winter solstice on 21 December. When the darkness outside lasts longest, families gather, eat red fruit, read poetry and stay up together until morning. From that moment on, the days grow longer again – the light has won. In this article we explain what lies behind the festival, which customs belong to it and which Persian dishes are perfect for the evening.
What does Yalda mean?#
Yalda is the last night of autumn. In the old Persian understanding it is the night when darkness shows its full strength one last time before the sun returns. That is why Yalda is above all a celebration of light, warmth and togetherness. Its second name, Chelleh ("forty"), recalls that this night marks the start of the forty coldest days of winter.
How alive this tradition still is today is shown by its recognition by UNESCO: in 2022, "Yaldā/Chella" was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, nominated by Iran and Afghanistan. UNESCO describes the festival as a celebration of the sun and the warmth of life, at which families gather in the homes of their elders.
The customs of Yalda Night#
Being together is what matters most. Grandparents, parents, children, aunts and uncles come together, often at the home of the eldest in the family. Typical customs include:
- A table laid with symbols: candles or a lamp stand for light, water for purity.
- Red fruit: pomegranates and watermelon are the classics. Their red colour stands for dawn, warmth and vitality. Eat watermelon in winter, so the saying goes, and you will not fall ill in the cold season.
- Nuts and dried fruit: pistachios, almonds, walnuts, raisins and dried figs are nibbled all night long.
- Poems by Hafez: many families open the Divan of the poet Hafez and read a poem as an "oracle" for the year ahead – the so-called Fal-e Hafez.
- Stories, music and games: the elders tell stories, there is singing and laughter, and children are allowed to stay up late for once.
- Small gifts: newly engaged and newly married couples in particular traditionally receive presents.
What do people eat on Yalda Night?#
Besides fruit and nuts, a festive dinner is part of the evening. There is no single "Yalda dish" – every family has its own favourites. Dishes that pick up the colours and flavours of the night suit it especially well:
Fesenjan – pomegranate at the centre#
Since the pomegranate is the symbol of Yalda Night, Fesenjan is an obvious choice: a slowly simmered stew of toasted walnuts and pomegranate paste, sweet and sour and deeply dark. A dish for long evenings.
Morasa Polo – rice like jewels#
For festive occasions many families serve Morasa Polo, the Persian "jewelled rice" with saffron, pistachios, almonds, barberries and orange peel. Its bright colours make it the centrepiece of any table.
Zereshk Polo and Tahchin – saffron and red#
Zereshk Polo with chicken is a perfect fit too: saffron rice with bright red, tangy barberries. For something even more festive, make Tahchin – a rice bake with a golden saffron crust, tender meat and barberries.
Celebrating Yalda in Vienna#
In Vienna, too, many Iranian and Afghan families celebrate Yalda Night – and more and more friends of Persian culture join in. The idea is simple and suits the dark season well: put the phone away, sit together, eat well and enjoy the evening.
For your own Yalda evening at home you do not need much:
- A pomegranate (or several) and a slice of watermelon.
- A bowl of nuts and dried fruit.
- A few candles.
- A book of poetry – Hafez is available in English translation.
- A warm Persian dish from our Persian recipes.
Tips for your Yalda evening#
- Opening a pomegranate: cut off the crown, score the skin along the white membranes and break the fruit open. The seeds come loose most easily under water.
- Prepare ahead: stews like Fesenjan often taste even better the next day, so feel free to cook the day before.
- Read together: let every guest choose a poem. It makes the evening personal.
Yalda at SANTOOR#
If you would rather not cook, SANTOOR at Florianigasse 20 in Vienna's 8th district serves Persian food from a 100% halal kitchen – open daily from 12:00 to 22:00. For family celebrations and special occasions, tell us about your occasion when you reserve a table and we will get back to you personally.
We wish you a warm and bright Yalda Night – Shab-e Yalda mobarak!