The last Tuesday night or the night before the last Wednesday of the year is an occasion for all Iranians to gather together and celebrate the Chaharshanbe Suri (the Feast of Wednesday / the Red Wednesday). The main idea behind this celebration is to bring friends and neighbors together to welcome the coming year.

Chaharshanbe Suri is an occasion for practicing a number of old traditions, such as laying out the Chaharshanbe Suri spread which includes dried fruits and nuts and a variety of cookies and pastries, and lighting bon fires and jumping over them. It is also customary in some cities to prepare the Chaharshanbe Suri Aash, a sour tasting porridge made of several kinds of vegetables.

Another old tradition is eavesdropping. Young girls and women make a wish, stand behind a wall and try to infer their future from the conversations of those passing by.

Spoon beating is also a popular tradition of this night. Teenagers and young people wear the traditional Chador, cover their faces and go door to door to the houses of friends and neighbors. On hearing the sound of spoons beating on bowls, the homeowners open the door and fill their bowls with nuts, cookies and candies.

In many places around the country, people believe that it is necessary to get out of the house at Chaharshanbe Suri, be merry and celebrate with other people to make the New Year a happy and successful one.