Festivals in Kazakhstan
Festivals in Kazakhstan
Festivals open doors to Kazakhstan’s rich history. Attendees can delve into the nomadic world, unwind amidst breathtaking mountain gorges, indulge in distinctive cuisine, and enjoy a blend of ethnic and contemporary music.
*The festival dates provided are preliminary and subject to change. It’s advisable to double-check the dates and locations before making final travel arrangements.
Spirit of Tengri (Music Festival)
The Spirit of Tengri is the largest ethnic music festival in Kazakhstan, held annually in Almaty. This open-air event attracts ethno-world artists from across the globe and features performances that blend modern sounds with ancient musical traditions.Â
This festival celebrates universal values, intergenerational links, and creative innovation. It is unique for its international performers, the merge of different types of music with ethnic roots and the blend of cultures to combine nations. The festival presents live performances with high-quality sound, all accessible for free, which is a must-visit for every music lover.Â
The Spirit of Tengri is a bridge between ancient heritage (Tengrism) and contemporary music, celebrating global cultural unity and positioning Almaty as a focal point of international culture and the arts.
Wings of Alakol Festival
The sole traditional birdwatching festival in Kazakhstan unfolds in a location, seamlessly blending the vast steppe, mountain vistas, and the enchanting surface of the Alakol lake.Â
The festival will provide chances for bird watching, along with engaging art, cultural activities, and performances.
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Uba Chants Ethnic Folk Festival
The Uba Chants Ethnic Folk Festival, held in the scenic village of Poperechnoe, is a vibrant showcase of Kazakhstan’s multiculturalism. The event features traditional dances, choral performances, and music from various ethnic groups, including Kazakh, Russian, Uighur, and Dungan communities.Â
Attendees can immerse themselves in a colorful display of ethnic costumes, cultural rituals, and regional traditions. This festival highlights the unique cultural mosaic of Kazakhstan, fostering harmony and mutual appreciation among its diverse population.
The Uba Chants Ethnic Folk Festival is called upon to popularize and save the rich folklore heritage of this region, mainly the traditions of the Old Believers who settled in the Rudny Altai more than two centuries ago.
National Cuisine Festival Toikazan
The Almaty Festival of National Cuisine showcases the culinary heritage of the diverse peoples of Kazakhstan. It serves as a celebration of friendship, bringing together individuals from a multicultural nation. The festival features a remarkable array of dishes, highlighting the rich diversity present in the region.
The Biker Festival 'Protect Balkhash'
The Biker Festival ‘Protect Balkhash’ is an annual celebration in Kazakhstan, where motorcyclists from all over the country come together. The festival aims to focus on the natural importance of Lake Balkhash, as one of the natural treasures of Kazakhstan, as well raise awareness about the ecological significance.Â
Lake Balkhash is one of the largest lakes in Asia and 12th largest continental lake in the world. But the lake is shrinking because of the diversion of water from the rivers that feed it. The shallowing is especially evident in its western part. Another factor affecting the ecology of the Ili-Balkhash basin is emissions due to mining and metallurgical processes, mostly at the Balkhash Mining and Metallurgy Plant operated by Kazakhmys. Contamination of Balkhash originates not only locally, but is also brought by inflow of polluted water from China.
Chabana Festival - Cowboy Festival
The Chabana Festival, also known as the Cowboy Festival, is a vibrant exposition of Kazakhstan’s nomadic history, which annually occurs in August, near the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border.Â
Local herders and communities join together during the festival to participate in traditional games, cultural activities, and collective celebrations. One of the highlights of the festival is the lively game of “Chasing after the Bride,” where women on horseback are pursued by men in a display of horsemanship and traditional courtship ceremonies. Apart from the competitions, the guests can immerse themselves in the diversity of nomadic culture through music, dance, and oral stories and gain an insight into the age-old traditions of Central Asia’s steppe societies.
Khan Shatyr Festival
Khan Shatyr is not only a stunning work of architecture in Astana, but also the name of a colourful holiday that takes place annually. The Khan Shatyr Festival is held in the Khan Shatyr shopping and entertainment center, one of the nation’s most prominent modern symbols.
During the festival, visitors may indulge in a range of special art activities, including music performances and conceptual art exhibitions. Domestic and foreign artists are wont to dress up the event with unforgettable performances.Â
Baiga Festival
Baiga is a special festival in Kazakhstan, celebrating the country’s proud nomadic tradition. It’s not just a horse race, but it’s a time for the Kazakh people to celebrate their proud sense of pride in their tradition.Â
The Baiga Festival is held during the summer season, way out on the large open steppes of Kazakhstan. Horsemen from all over the world ride out to participate in this charged competition. The horses are selected for their agility and speed to race over mile-long distances. In the organised performances of classic martial arts and fun folk games for the little ones. It’s also a celebration of Kazakh culture and spirit!
More about Kazakhstan
Festivals in other Central Asian countries
Page updated 19.5.2025