Pomegranates, watermelon, cotton candy and nuts sparkle in the light of the lamps, and the aroma of beets and broad beans draws people from one end of the bazaar to the other.

Amidst this hustle and bustle, every step tells a new story; from the laughter of children to the smile of a street vendor keeping his small basket warm. The bazaar is not only a place to shop, but also the first Yalda greeting; where the longest night of the year begins with colors, sounds, and eager hearts. The following photos show the Bazaar of Tabriz in northwest Iran before the Night of Yalda (December 21).

Iranians mark Yalda Night, an ancient tradition held on the first night of winter, the longest and darkest night of the year.