Events in Akre

Akre is a striking hilltop town in the northern Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and for one night each year it becomes the most spectacular place in the entire region: the home of the famous Newroz clifftop bonfires. Stone houses rise in tiers up a steep limestone bowl, and when fire-bearers climb the ridges above the old town on the eve of the Kurdish New Year, the whole mountain seems to ignite. It is a sight that draws visitors from across the region and beyond, and for many it is the single most memorable experience of a trip to Kurdistan. This independent guide explains what happens, how to see it well, and how to plan the logistics of a town that fills far beyond its capacity for one extraordinary night.

Why Akre for events

Akre (also spelled Aqrah) is built into a limestone cliff in Duhok Governorate, its old stone houses climbing the hillside in a dramatic natural amphitheatre. While it is a charming town to visit at any time of year, with steep lanes, old mosques and sweeping views over the plains, Akre is defined above all by one extraordinary event — its Newroz celebration, widely considered the most dramatic in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The town's bowl-like topography is the reason: it turns the surrounding ridges into a natural stage and the streets below into a vast auditorium.

For most of the year Akre is a quiet provincial town, but in the days before 20 March it transforms, with stages, food stalls, flags and visitors filling every available space. Understanding that contrast — a small town hosting an enormous occasion — is the key to planning a successful visit.

The famous bonfires

On the evening of 20 March, residents carry torches and fire up to the clifftops above the old town. Dozens of bonfires are lit simultaneously along the ridgeline, visible for kilometres and turning the whole mountain orange, while fireworks burst overhead. Crowds gather in the streets and open ground below to drum, sing and dance, and the spectacle of the fires and the silhouetted torchbearers climbing the cliffs is genuinely unforgettable. The atmosphere is jubilant and patriotic, charged with the symbolism of Newroz as a festival of renewal, freedom and the triumph of light over darkness.

To see it at its best, arrive in the afternoon to find a good vantage point with a clear view of the ridgelines, and be prepared for very large crowds and slow movement once the fires are lit. Photographers should set up early; the best images come at dusk, when there is still a little colour in the sky behind the flames.

21 March in the old town

The following day, celebration continues through the narrow lanes of the old quarter, where residents in traditional Kurdish dress form huge *halparke* circle dances accompanied by drums and the *zurna* pipe. Visitors are warmly welcomed to join, and the combination of ancient architecture, firelight memories and bright costume makes Akre one of the most photogenic events anywhere in the region. The daytime celebrations are gentler than the previous night and a fine chance to meet families, share food and appreciate the town in daylight.

Heritage and surroundings

Beyond Newroz, Akre's old town and dramatic setting reward exploration, and the surrounding area shares the heritage traditions of the northern Kurdistan Region — crafts, music, costume and generous hospitality. The town is part of the green, mountainous north, with scenery that is beautiful across the seasons, from spring wildflowers to autumn light. It combines naturally with visits to Duhok, the mesa-top town of Amadiyah and the Lalish valley for travellers building a wider northern itinerary.

A suggested plan for Newroz

• →Afternoon of 20 March: Travel from Duhok, arrive early, eat before the crowds build and claim a viewpoint for the bonfires.
• →Evening of 20 March: Watch the torchbearers and bonfires, then enjoy the music and dancing below before a careful, traffic-heavy return to Duhok.
• →21 March: Return for the daytime celebrations in the old town, or rest and explore the wider north.

What to wear, bring and expect

Wear sturdy, closed shoes for the steep, uneven old town and bring warm layers, as mountain nights in March are genuinely cold. A camera that performs well in low light, a power bank, water and snacks are all worth carrying. Cash in Iraqi dinar is essential, mobile networks can be overwhelmed by the crowds so agree a meeting point with your group, and modest dress is appreciated. Expect crowds, noise, smoke and slow traffic — and an unforgettable, welcoming atmosphere.

Accessibility and seasonal notes

Akre's steep, stepped lanes and the large Newroz crowds make it challenging for travellers with limited mobility, particularly at night; those who need step-free access may prefer to watch the bonfires from a lower, flatter vantage point. The Newroz spectacle is a one-night event tied to 20 March, but the town and its surroundings are pleasant to visit in spring and autumn, while winter can bring snow and cold to the high north.

Planning your visit

Akre is about 90 minutes by car from Duhok and around 2.5 hours from Erbil (whose airport, EBL, is the main international gateway). Crucially, accommodation in and around Akre is very limited and fills quickly for Newroz — most visitors base themselves in Duhok and travel to Akre for the evening of the bonfires, arranging a driver who knows the route for the busy return.

Arrive on 20 March or earlier, plan transport in advance, and be patient with the heavy traffic on the approach roads. Newroz falls on 21 March every year, with bonfires the evening before, so the celebration is on the same dates annually; the surrounding programming, however, can vary and is subject to change, so verify details with the organiser before travel.