Rooted in ancient tradition, Shab-e Yalda honors the return of light and the hope that carries us through darkness. Join Omid Roustaei in celebrating Shab-e Yalda, the Persian winter solstice and the longest night of the year. We’ll explore the rituals, stories, and symbolism of this beloved celebration, including its vibrant table of pomegranates, watermelon, persimmons, nuts, and dried fruits. Through poetry and tradition, we’ll reflect on Yalda’s enduring message of hope, renewal, and the triumph of light. You’ll make salad anar-o khiar (pomegranate, mint, and cucumber salad with feta); aash-e anar (pomegranate soup with meatballs); morgh shekam por (saffron-glazed stuffed chicken with dried fruit and nuts); and sohan asali (saffron sesame brittle).

Please note: some classes can be adjusted for students with dietary restrictions, but many cannot. If you’re vegetarian, pescatarian, or gluten-free, you can use the drop-down menu on our events page to view the best classes to fit your needs. If a class you’re interested in doesn’t appear in that filtered view, please email us before registering and we’ll see if the class’s menu can be modified.