Yazidi New Year, known as "Carsema Sor" (Red Wednesday), is the oldest and most sacred holiday in the Yazidi calendar, observed annually by communities across the globe.

Celebrated on the third Wednesday of April in the Gregorian calendar—and the first Wednesday of April in the Eastern (Julian) calendar—Yazidis mark the occasion by wearing vibrant clothing, performing traditional rituals, and visiting the Lalish Temple in Duhok, their holiest site.

Ceremonies begin early Tuesday, with many Yazidis visiting the graves of loved ones and decorating their homes.

The central celebration starts at Lalish Temple, where the Yazidi spiritual leader Baba Sheikh lights the sacred fire and 365 olive oil lamps, symbolizing the days of the year.

A unique tradition of the holiday involves dyeing boiled eggs. Yazidis believe the egg represents the creation of the earth. Melek Taus (the Peacock Angel) rebuilt the earth in April, according to Yazidi belief, and the practice of dyeing eggs symbolizes painting the earth and welcoming nature’s renewal.

While precise population figures are unavailable, estimates suggest that there are between 900,000 and one million Yazidis worldwide.

The largest populations are in Iraq and Syria, with approximately 600,000 to 650,000 Yazidis residing in Iraq and around 50,000 in Syria.

Following the ISIS attacks in 2014, a significant number of Yazidis sought refuge in Europe. Today, Germany hosts between 100,000 and 120,000 Yazidis, while other diaspora communities are found in Armenia (60,000), Georgia (20,000), Russia (40,000), the Netherlands (5,000), and Sweden (4,000).