The world's largest free Nowruz celebration: March 9 at UCLA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Farhang Foundation’s Iconic Iranian New Year Celebration In Los Angeles Is On Sunday, March 9:One Of The Largest Nowruz Celebrations Worldwide
UCLA’s Dickson Court and Royce Hall
The Nowruz Family Daylong Festival
Free and open to the public.
Sunday, March 9th, 12 to 5 p.m.
The Nowruz Concert at
Royce Hall, UCLA
6:00 p.m.
Featuring renowned artists flying in from around the world for this exclusive performance.
Tickets can be found here.
Los Angeles, CA – February 18, 2025 – The most vibrant and lively spring event of the year is just around the corner. Envision dancers twirling in beautiful garb, horns roaring, authentic cultural performances, captivating storytelling, and the joy of being part of it all—plus so much more.
Nowruz, meaning "new day," is an ancient celebration marking the vernal equinox—a universal moment of rebirth and renewal. The Iranian New Year begins precisely at the moment of spring's arrival. Nowruz is celebrated by more than 300 million people around the world, including in Iran, Afghanistan, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Canada, China, Georgia, India, Iraq, Tajikistan, Turkey, and the United States just to name a few.
Farhang Foundation's festival welcomes spring with its 15th Annual Celebration of Nowruz in Los Angeles and is one of the largest Nowruz (Iranian New Year) celebrations in the world. The colorful daylong program offers something for all ages, and includes traditional music, arts and crafts, dance, food, children’s activities, stilt walkers, and the signature Grand Haft Sîn display.
The Free Nowruz Celebrations at UCLA's Dickson Court Park
“Farhang Foundation is thrilled to celebrate the 15th anniversary of our Nowruz festival at UCLA, a milestone that reflects our unwavering commitment to sharing the beauty and traditions of the Iranian New Year with the wider community,” said Hormoz Ameri, Farhang Trustee and Chair of Farhang’s Nowruz Committee. “Each year, our celebration grows, bringing together people of all backgrounds to embrace the universal spirit of renewal, joy, and cultural heritage that Nowruz represents. We are proud to continue this tradition, offering a day filled with vibrant performances, music, dance, and the cherished Grand Haft Sîn display, all free for the public to enjoy. We invite everyone to join us on March 9, 2025, for an unforgettable day of unity and festivity as we welcome the new year together.”
“For 14 years, Farhang Foundation has been proud to bring the spirit of Nowruz to Los Angeles,” said Alireza Ardekani, Executive Director of Farhang Foundation. “Our annual celebration at UCLA has become one of the largest Nowruz festivals in the world, uniting our diverse community in a joyous tribute to renewal, culture, and tradition.”
All of the Nowruz outdoor activities are free and open to the public from 12 to 5 p.m., and will take place at UCLA’s Dickson Court Park, which is adjacent to Royce Hall.
The Nowruz Concert at Royce Hall
A special ticketed closing concert event takes place at UCLA’s iconic Royce Hall at 6 p.m. This unforgettable evening performance is presented in collaboration with UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music. UCLA and Farhang Foundation have enjoyed a long relationship; the Farhang Foundation helped establish an academic degree in Iranian music— the only program of its kind in the world outside of Iran dedicated to Iranian music. The Nowruz Concert will feature world-renowned musicians, many of whom are flying in from around the world especially for this event.
Farhang Foundation’s Nowruz Concert,
6 p.m., Royce Hall, UCLA
The evening of musical brilliance is presented in collaboration with the historic Iranian music program at UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music.
Globally acclaimed Iranian classical singer Mahdieh Mohammadkhani will be making her highly anticipated return to the Los Angeles stage, marking her first performance in over a decade in the U.S. Her music has been showcased at prestigious festivals and venues across Europe, North America, and Australia. In 2021, Ms. Mohammadkhani premiered her Nowruz anthem MAHANEGAR (composed by Azad Mirzapour) as part of Farhang Foundation's virtual Nowruz Celebrations in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, the music video quickly rose to become Farhang's all-time most viewed music video to date.
She will be performing this song for the very first time in the United States live on stage accompanied by the Iranshahr Orchestra. She will be joined by world-renowned countertenor Cameron Shahbazi, who will be making his Southern California stage debut, adding another remarkable dimension to this special evening which promises to be a landmark performance event. Cameron Shahbazi was named one to watch by Vogue and is the only countertenor in Deutche Grammophon record label’s esteemed Rising Stars series. In 2023, he was awarded the prestigious Opus Klassik Award, which is considered Germany's most prestigious classical music award, in the ‘Innovative Concert of the Year’ category for his brainchild entitled “Woman.Life.Freedom.,” a benefit concert at Oper Frankfurt produced in support of human rights in Iran.
They will be joined by the 30-piece Iranshahr Orchestra, an orchestra dedicated to promoting and preserving Iranian music by creating a bridge between ancient music and a classical Western orchestra. The orchestra is under the direction of Dr. Shahab Paranj. Paranj is a pioneer among his generation of Iranian composers, with a style that integrates Persian and Western techniques. He also oversees the Iranian Music Program at UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music as well as the recently established Gramian-Emrani Center for Iranian Music at UCLA. Farhang Foundation is honored to once again collaborate with both the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music and the Iranshahr Orchestra in presenting this year’s landmark Nowruz Concert at Royce Hall.
Tickets for the evening concert range from $44 to $246 and can be purchased here.
Cherished Annual Traditions
The Grand Haft Sîn an exquisite centerpiece of the Nowruz festivities, is one of the most photographed displays of the celebration, designed by A Seed and Stone. This opulent, intricately detailed display is adorned with symbolic items representing fertility, rebirth, prosperity, love, health, and beauty—including mirrors, eggs, apples, spring flowers, and sumac, among others. While Haft Sîn displays are a beloved tradition in households worldwide that celebrate Nowruz, this one stands apart due to its exceptional size and stunning visual impact.
Enter an Iranian style decorated tent, for tea, shirini (sweets), and snacks to commence the new year in the Iranian Tea House. Food trucks will also be onsite, offering a variety of delicious cuisines.
A variety of programs will be repeated throughout the day outdoors at UCLA's Dickson Court from 12 to 5 p.m. Here's a glimpse of what to expect:
Outdoor Free Festival Performances
Dickson Court - UCLA 12PM - 5PM
Kamyar, the acclaimed Iranian-born vocalist and songwriter, known as Iran’s Prince of Pop and R&B is performing a special free concert for the community. Known for his dynamic performances and soulful voice, Kamyar has captivated audiences around the globe. Born in Tehran and raised in France, his musical journey began at the Music Conservatory School, where he honed his piano skills. He later moved to the United States, joining the ever-popular Black Cats Band before launching a successful solo career. Kamyar’s music seamlessly blends traditional Iranian melodies with contemporary pop rhythms, creating a sound that resonates worldwide. This is a great gift for Nowruz to experience an incredible talent live—for free.
Celebrating Iranian Dance
Esteemed Iranian-American choreographer Melieka Fathi’s Dance Company will appear, featuring dancers trained in classical Iranian dance as well as varying Eastern styles.
Firuzé Dance Company, directed by Dr. Robyn Friend, specializes in historical, modern, and regional dances of Iran and Central Asia.
Feel the beats and rhythms resonate within you as the esteemed all-female L.A. Daf Ensemble, under the direction of Arezoo Koochakan, brings the daf—a large Middle Eastern frame drum used in both popular and classical music—to life with their captivating performance. Dressed in colorful Iranian outfits, the ensemble performs folk and original songs representing all regions of Iran.
Enjoy uplifting Iranian beats from DJ Arin throughout the day, transforming every moment into an unforgettable celebration.
The MC for the outdoor stage will be none other than Fox San Diego Morning News Anchor Shally Zomorodi, who also graced the stage with her enthusiasm last year.
Children’s Activities
With a dedicated area for children featuring music, arts and crafts, face painting, calligraphy demos, storytelling, a photo booth, and games, children can enjoy a cultural immersive experience.
Actress, designer, and puppeteer Negar Estakhr is best known for her work on the famed Iranian children’s series Kolah Germezi, Iran’s equivalent of Sesame Street. She along with Maryam Rasekh, will delight children and adults alike with their engaging original puppetry based on folkloric Iranian stories.
Stilt walkers will roam the grounds, greeting guests in the guises of various Iranian mythological and Nowruz characters.
UCLA's Royce Hall & Dickson Court are located at
375 Portola Plaza, Los Angeles, CA
Please join us, and “Nowruz Piruz,” or Happy New Year!
About Farhang Foundation
Farhang Foundation is a member supported nonpolitical, nonreligious, and not-for-profit organization dedicated to celebrating and promoting the richness of Iranian art and culture for the betterment of society as a whole. With a singular mission at its core, the Foundation strives to preserve, nurture, and share the diverse heritage of Iran with the global community. Through steadfast commitment, the Foundation supports a wide array of academic, artistic, and cultural programs and initiatives, fostering collaborative partnerships with esteemed universities, renowned museums, and the vibrant world of performing arts. These partnerships enable the Foundation to cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation of the multifaceted aspects of Iranian culture and promote cross-cultural dialogue.
Media Contact:
Roxie Sarhangi
Phone: 310-666-1546
roxie@roxiepr.com
