Holidays in Kyrgyzstan

• 2024
• 2025

Holidays in Kyrgyzstan include many international holidays, like New Year’s and Women’s Days, some from the Soviet Union, such as Victory Day and Defenders of the Fatherland Day, and some since independence, such as various memorial days for revolutions. Some businesses will close for major holidays, but enough are open that visitors shouldn’t find any major inconveniences. Border stations and governmental offices may be closed, though, so one should check ahead to avoid major problems.

In Kyrgyzstan New Year celebrations start on December 31, as in all post Soviet countries. Festive New Year Eve started during the Soviet period and gradually became an intrinsic part of Kyrgyz culture. Now people in Kyrgyzstan celebrate it brightly and cheerfully. They decorate the Christmas tree, prepare various dishes, and give presents. It is customary to celebrate the New Year in the family circle at the festive table. Naturally, all the most beloved food is present on the table: Beshbarmak, Manti, Chuchuk from national dishes, and Russian salad and Soviet-style pickles. The Kyrgyz table is not complete without fresh and dried fruits. New Year dinner can be quite long, starting at 8:00 pm on December 31, and lasting until 2-3 am on January 1. During the feast, everyone exchanges congratulations and gifts. Azay Ata (Santa Claus) is invited for the evening, whose presence makes the celebration even more special for the kids.

At midnight, the president makes a congratulatory speech, and everyone goes outside to admire the colorful lights of fireworks. Many people gather in the main square of the capital to share the joy of the New Year.

Around million Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 in Kyrgyzstan. Bishop of Bishkek and Kyrgyzstan congratulates believers from Bishkek Holy Resurrection Cathedral. Kyrgyzstan celebrates Christmas like other Orthodox Christian countries. After attending the service held in the churches, people continue to celebrate Christmas at home with their families and friends. The festive table is especially abundant. On the table, there is Kutia, a ceremonial grain dish made of wheat, nuts, honey, dried fruits, and poppy seeds.

Fatherland Defender’s Day is celebrated in Kyrgyzstan on February 23. It is popularly called Men's Day. This holiday was introduced during Soviet times, but was well preserved even after the collapse of the Soviet Union. There are no mass events on this day, but educational institutions and companies do not miss the opportunity to congratulate men, give them gifts and gather at the festive table, exchange good wishes.

On March 8, Kyrgyzstan celebrates International Women's Day. On this day, men try to pamper women with flowers and gifts. Male colleagues set tables for their female co-workers with various delicious dishes, sweets, flowers, and gifts.

The original meaning of this day – combating discrimination against women has long been forgotten. Women's Day is more of a spring holiday and a great occasion to remind women of their beauty and importance in every family.

Nowruz (Nauryz, Navruz, Nooruz) is celebration of the vernal equinox that marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. On February 5, 1991, Nowruz was announced as a national holiday in Kyrgyzstan. Nowruz was not banned in Soviet times, but it was not celebrated either. Now Kyrgyz people celebrate Nowruz with theatrical performances and concerts. The nomadic horse games like Kok Boru, also known as Ulak Tartysh, are played on hippodrome.

The main dish of the Nowruz holiday is Sumolok, a sweet paste made from germinated wheat. The process of its preparation is similar to a sacred rite. It takes around a week to prepare this dish. At first, the wheat is soaked and prepared for days. The final cooking would take from evening till the daylight. Neighbors and relatives gather to take part in preparing the dish. Folk songs and legends are heard in the courtyard all night while preparing the paste. Some flour, dried apricots, and raisins are added to sprouted wheat and barley. Some walnuts with shells are placed in the cauldron. There is a belief that if you find one of these nuts in your cup, then your wish will come true.

People's April Revolution Day is a public holiday celebrated on April 7. It has been an official day off since 2016. The national holiday commemorates the Kyrgyz Revolution of 2010. On this day, both festive and mourning events are held throughout the country. Over 80 people died in the struggle for freedom and democracy in Kyrgyzstan. In memory of these terrible events, flowers are laid at the monument in their honor. The main events are held at Ala-Too Square.

Labor Day in Soviet Kyrgyzstan was first celebrated on May 1 in 1919. In Soviet times, the holiday was accompanied by May marches, sporting events, and festivities. After the collapse of the USSR, to a large extent, it became just a day off, when you can spend time with your family, friends and go on a picnic to the park or nature.

Constitution Day has been celebrated annually since May 5, 1993. The day when the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic was adopted. Since then, the Republic of Kyrgyzstan was renamed as the Kyrgyz Republic, and the Constitution of the Kyrgyz SSR, adopted in 1978, lost its force.

In June 2010, a new Constitution, which is now in effect, was developed and adopted. Kyrgyzstan switched to a parliamentary form of government. May 5 is still officially considered the Constitution Day, symbolizing the first independent steps of sovereign Kyrgyzstan. There are no festive events scheduled on this day, but as it is a day off, many people take an opportunity to relax and spend time with family and friends.

Victory Day is a public holiday that commemorates the surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945. Victory Day is celebrated every year on May 9. People bring flowers at the Eternal Flame on Victory Square. In memory of the fallen soldiers, a minute of silence is announced, at the end of which the guard of honor fires three times. President and veterans of the Great Patriotic War are attending this event. Everyone is welcome to see the exhibition of military equipment not far from Victory Square.

In many cities, people march with the portraits of their relatives who lost their lives during the war. Victory Day ends with a concert and fireworks.

Orozo Ait and Kurman Ait are Muslim holidays celebrated annually. The lunar calendar determines the dates of these holidays. Orozo Ait marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. During Ramadan, some businesses and restaurants only open during dinner time, but many establishments remain open regular hours.

Kurman-Ait also known as the Feast of Sacrifice is a time of prayers, reflections, and spending time with the family.

Independence Day of the Kyrgyz Republic has been celebrated annually since August 31, 1991, when Kyrgyzstan was declared an independent, sovereign, democratic state.

Festive events are held on the main square of the capital. President and prominent figures of the country take part in festivities along with people who gather in the square.

Equestrian games are held at the hippodrome, and performances by artists in various genres take place in the parks of Bishkek. The celebration of the Independence Day of Kyrgyzstan ends with a gala concert and a grandiose firework.

Days of History and Memory of Ancestors in Kyrgyzstan are celebrated on November 7 - 8. From October 26, 2017, these dates are officially considered non-working days. In 2017, the day of the October Socialist Revolution was renamed as the Day of History and Memory of Ancestors.

The president and members of the government lay flowers at the Ata-Beyit memorial complex. This complex was built in 2000 by the initiative of the first president of Kyrgyzstan Askar Akayev to commemorate the victims of Stalin's repressions. At the moment, the death of 137 prominent figures of Kyrgyzstan has been confirmed. In 2008, the world-famous writer Chingiz Aitmatov was buried on the territory of the complex.