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Iranians defy Islamic regime, dress up in costumes and celebrate Halloween despite restrictions and warnings

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It’s not a big thing, but some of them could have landed in jail for having their hair improperly covered or some other offense. In any case, this shows yet again how much contempt ordinary Iranians have for the regime. Yet they do not have the means to topple it. It seems that Trump expected them to rise up and overthrow it when he began bombing Iran, but they can’t do that without any weaponry, and the leaders of the Islamic Republic have made sure they don’t have any.

Translation of the Independent Persian post:

Despite the ban on holding Halloween celebrations by officials of the Islamic Republic, images published on social media show that groups of people on the night of Thursday, October 29, celebrated the occasion in Tehran, Shiraz, Mashhad, and Bushehr by donning special costumes and face paint; this, even as concerns persist over the potential resumption of war.

Halloween is held every year on the last night of October, corresponding to October 31, but it appears that some enthusiasts of the occasion in Iran chose the night of Thursday, October 29, for their celebrations. In images published from various areas of Tehran and other cities in Iran, participants in diverse outfits and painted faces are present in the streets, and some have joined the events in groups.

These celebrations are taking place even as officials of the Islamic Republic, as in previous years, have imposed restrictions to prevent the holding of Halloween-related events, and Iran’s Chamber of Guilds had previously issued a directive explicitly banning any celebrations or gatherings for this occasion.

According to this directive, owners of restaurants and cafes are not permitted to hold special Halloween programs or engage in advertising or selling items related to the occasion. The Chamber of Guilds of Iran has also warned that units violating these restrictions will face legal action and the sealing of their business premises.

This trade body has cited the maintenance of social order and security as the purpose of these restrictions, but images published on social media indicate that the warnings and bans announced have not prevented the holding of Halloween celebrations in some cities of Iran.

Government spokesperson Masoud Pezeshkian had also previously, in response to the public’s embrace of Halloween, called for greater attention to national and religious rituals, stating that instead of holding such events, focus should be placed on Iranian occasions and traditions.

“Iranians defy Islamic regime with Halloween celebrations as several reportedly detained,” by Danielle Greyman-Kennard, Jerusalem Post, November 1, 2026:

Iranians defied the Islamic regime over the past week by dressing up in costumes and celebrating Halloween despite restrictions and warnings, according to Iranian media reports and videos of the festivities shared online. Several people were reportedly detained and beaten for taking part in the celebrations.

While some Western advocates have used footage of the celebrations to argue that claims about repression in the Islamic Republic are Western propaganda, Iranians have stressed that the festivities took place despite the regime, not because it is becoming more lenient.

Nazanin Nour, an Iranian-American actress and writer, pushed back against such claims online, writing that the “people of Iran push boundaries at their own risk (which very much still exists because repression is codified into law); it’s not that the boundaries are being eased by the regime.”

Iranian security forces and plainclothes officers broke up a celebration in central Tehran on Friday, Iran International reported, citing witnesses. Several participants were reportedly beaten and detained.

Young people wearing makeup and costumes were also dispersed by the Basij after gathering near Tehran’s Artists Park, according to the report.

“It was like the protests. They were running after people and shouting, ‘Disperse!’” a witness told Iran International, describing how families were ordered to flee.

In footage shared online, several women can also be seen defying the Islamic Republic’s strict dress code by leaving their hair uncovered and exposing parts of their legs. The celebrations come amid a renewed crackdown on violations of Iran’s mandatory hijab laws and efforts to redeploy morality police across the country….

Comments

  1. It seems kind of funny in light of the fact that different “celebs” in the U.S. are facing “backlash” for their choices of costumes. Martha Stewasrt is one example.

    “control” is out of control everywhere these days.

    Reply

  2. Hard core Qu’ ran based Islam hates music and dancing so it forbids to such activities for Muslims. Even worse many Muslim clerics, as those in that hostile Islamic regime of Iran, can’t even tolerant the Iranian people having a good time. As a happy Halloween event.

    The people of trapped in that “mullah tyranny” are not happy because of their religion and those Muslim cleric power enforce that religion, which is., of course. Islam

    For example, Ayatollah Khomeini had declared “The aim of creation was for mankind to be put to the test through hardship and prayer. An Islamic regime must be serious in every field. There are no jokes in Islam. There is no humor in Islam. There can be no…joy in whatever is serious.” [1]

    [1] THE ISLAM IN ISLAMIC TERRORISM by Ibn Warraq page 348.

    Reply

  3. It being Iran, they could have dressed up as mullahs, regime supporters or in chadors. For the islamic authorities, it would have looked routine, while they would have been celebrating Halloween 😈

    Reply

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