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Qom Festivals & Events by Month (2026)
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Qom Etiquette 2026: What Not to Do
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Qom Name Origins & Local Words 2026
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Qom Festivals & Events by Month (2026)
Qom's festival calendar follows the lunar Hijri and solar Persian systems, so dates shift each year. In 2026, key events include Nowruz in March, Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr in Febβ¦ π Year at a Glance
Qom's festival calendar follows the lunar Hijri and solar Persian systems, so dates shift each year. In 2026, key events include Nowruz in March, Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr in February-March, and Muharram commemorations in June-July. This guide gives approximate timings and practical tips for each.
πΈ Nowruz (March 20-24)
Nowruz, the Persian New Year, falls on March 20, 2026, with celebrations lasting about four days. In Qom, families gather at the Shrine of Fatima Masumeh and parks like Al-Ghadir Park for picnics. Tourists can enjoy special sweets like samanu and see haft-sin displays, but expect crowded bazaars and book hotels early.
π Ramadan & Eid al-Fitr
Ramadan in 2026 is expected to begin around February 17 and end with Eid al-Fitr around March 19. In Qom, the holy month brings nightly iftar meals at the shrine and mosques, open to visitors. Dress modestly and avoid eating in public during daylight; Eid prayers at the shrine are crowded but welcoming.
π Eid al-Adha (May 27)
Eid al-Adha, around May 27, 2026, is marked by prayers at the Shrine of Fatima Masumeh and animal sacrifices. Many locals distribute meat to the needy, and visitors may be invited to share meals. The shrine area is busy from early morning; arrive before 7 AM for a spot.
π―οΈ Muharram Commemorations
Muharram, expected to start around June 16, 2026, is a month of mourning with processions and passion plays. In Qom, the shrine hosts nightly recitations, and streets near the bazaar fill with crowds. Non-Muslim tourists should observe respectfully, wear dark clothing, and avoid photography during rituals.
π Yalda Night (December 21)
Yalda, the winter solstice on December 21, is celebrated with family gatherings, poetry, and fruits like pomegranates and watermelon. In Qom, some restaurants and cultural centers offer special Yalda menus; try traditional cafes around the bazaar. It's a quiet, home-based holiday, so book a restaurant dinner in advance.
π Local Cultural Festivals
Qom hosts smaller events like the annual Handicrafts Exhibition in May at the Permanent Exhibition Center on Enqelab Street. The city also celebrates National Day of Qom in January with lectures and tours of historical sites. Check local posters at the shrine or ask your hotel for exact dates.
𧳠Practical Tips
Book accommodation at least a month ahead for Nowruz and Ramadan, as hotels near the shrine fill up. Dress modestly year-round, and expect separate hours or sections at some events. For Muharram, avoid the shrine area during peak procession times if you're not comfortable with crowds.
one thing the guide skips: the shrine has separate visiting hours for women & men, so check the posted schedule before u go. also the samanu at the little shops off Chahar Mardan is worth the walk
Nowruz park picnics, book by mid-January.
Yalda restaurants in Qom book out days ahead since it's mostly a home holiday, so reserve early or you'll be stuck with supermarket pomegranates.
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Qom Etiquette 2026: What Not to Do
In Qom, men typically greet each other with a handshake, but women should not offer their hand to men unless the man extends his first. A common greeting is 'Salaam alaβ¦ π Greetings and Handshakes
In Qom, men typically greet each other with a handshake, but women should not offer their hand to men unless the man extends his first. A common greeting is 'Salaam alaikum' (peace be upon you), to which the reply is 'Alaikum salaam'. When meeting someone of the opposite gender, a simple nod and placing your right hand over your heart is respectful. Avoid physical contact like hugging or kissing on the cheek unless you know the person well.
π Religious Site Rules
At the Shrine of Fatima Masumeh, non-Muslims are not allowed inside the main shrine building, but they can visit the surrounding courtyards. Women must wear a full chador (available for free at the entrance) and men should wear long pants. Photography is prohibited inside the shrine, and you should keep your voice low. Remove your shoes before entering any prayer area.
π½οΈ Dining Etiquette
When dining in a traditional Qom restaurant like Shabestan, you'll often sit on floor cushions around a low table. Wait for the eldest or most senior person to start eating before you begin. Tipping is not customary in Iran, but leaving a small extra amount (around 10%) is appreciated in tourist areas. If you're invited to someone's home, bring a small gift like sweets or flowers, and expect the host to insist on paying the bill when eating out.
π Dress Code for Visitors
Women must cover their hair with a scarf and wear loose, long-sleeved tops that cover the hips, even in non-religious areas. Men should avoid shorts and sleeveless shirts. In Qom, the dress code is stricter than in Tehran, so dark colors and a manteau (long coat) are common. Bring a light scarf in summer, as temperatures can reach 40Β°C (104Β°F) in July.
πΈ Photography and Privacy
Always ask permission before taking photos of people, especially women, and never photograph military or government buildings. At the shrine, photography is only allowed in the outer courtyards, not inside the holy areas. If you're unsure, look for signs or ask a guard. Avoid taking photos of worshippers in prayer.
π£οΈ Public Behavior and Volume
Keep your voice down in public spaces, especially in bazaars and near religious sites. In Qom, loud laughter or shouting is considered rude. When queueing, maintain a respectful distance and avoid pushing; lines are generally orderly. Men and women should avoid prolonged eye contact or casual conversation in public unless necessary.
π Transport and Tipping
On public buses, men sit in the front and women in the back; this segregation is enforced. Taxis are plentiful, but you should agree on the fare before getting in; a ride within the city center costs around 50,000 to 100,000 Iranian rials (about $0.10 to $0.20). Tipping taxi drivers is not expected, but rounding up is polite. For intercity buses, women are usually seated in the back half.
ποΈ Bazaar and Shopping
In the Qom Bazaar, bargaining is common but should be done politely and with a smile. Never offer a price less than half of the initial quote, as it may offend the seller. When you agree on a price, you're expected to buy. Avoid touching items you don't intend to purchase, especially in carpet shops.
good guide, covers the main stuff. one thing i'd add that nobody mentions: the etiquette around taarof gets confusing in Qom specifically, more than Tehran. if someone offers you something, tea, a seat, food, you're supposed to decline once or twice before accepting. but if you decline three times genuinely, they'll drop it. took me a while to read which was which.
the shrine shoe token thing the other commenter mentioned is real, but also worth knowing there's a separate entrance for foreign visitors and they'll assign you a guide if you ask at the info desk near the courtyard. free, and they'll walk you through the rules so you don't get scolded.
on dress, locals in Qom wear the chador way more than Tehran, but tourists can get by with a manteau and scarf in the bazaar and streets, just not at the shrine. nobody really polices it outside the holy areas as long as you're covered properly.
One thing the guide misses is the metro, Qom finally got its line running and it's segregated too with women's cars at the front, but honestly it doesn't reach the shrine yet so you'll still be doing taxis for that last stretch. The bigger tip is Friday, the whole city basically shuts down around midday prayer and the bazaar goes quiet for a couple hours, so don't plan your shopping trip for Friday morning thinking it'll be business as usual. Also if you're there during Muharram or Ramadan the rhythm of everything shifts, restaurants close during daylight in Ramadan and
solid writeup, the chador bit is spot on. one thing i'd add is the shoe situation at Fatima Masumeh, there's a shoe guardian (amin) at each entrance who gives you a token and you hand over your shoes, so don't just leave them in a pile or you'll be hunting for them later. also the courtyards do allow non-muslims but the main shrine itself is a hard no, and the guards will gently redirect you if you drift too close.
on taxis, the rial numbers you quoted are way off for 2026, a short ride is more like 500k to 1m rials now, the currency has moved a lot. also snapp works in Qom now which takes the haggling out of it if you don't feel like negotiating every time
for food, don't sleep on sohan, it's a Qom specialty, a saffron pistachio brittle, buy it from a proper sweet shop near the bazaar not the tourist stalls by the shrine, way better quality & half the price