Festivals in Kyrgyzstan
Festivals & events in Kyrgyzstan
The Kyrgyz people express their cultural heritage through a variety of festivals, each providing a distinct insight into their traditions and way of life. These cultural festivals also play a vital role in Kyrgyzstan’s tourism activities. These popular festivals celebrate decorative and applied arts, culinary skills, folklore, felt crafts, bird hunting, and equestrian games. Below, we delve of the most renowned and vibrant festivals in Kyrgyzstan.
*The festival dates provided are preliminary and are subject to change. It’s advisable to double-check the dates and locations before making any final private travel arrangements. CBT Kyrgyzstan is a great source to confirm most of the dates.
When possible, taking into account the timing and itinerary, we will include taking part in the festivals as a part of our Kyrgyzstan Tours and the Central Asia Tours.
Popular festivals & events in Kyrgyzstan
Walnut festival in Arslanbob with running competition
Display of photographs, sale of local handicrafts, folklore performance, children’s wrestling, and donkey racing. There is even a running competition organized in the forest.
Arslanbob village, Jalalabat Region | October 2024
Bike Challenge by CBT Arslanbob
Embark on an extraordinary journey with us to discover the breathtaking landscapes. Immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind mountain adventure that awaits. Experience an authentic Kyrgyz-Uzbek folklore extravaganza.
Arslanbob village, Jalalabat Region | May 2024
Festival “Kurak, terme, saima and oimo”
Showcasing traditional craftsmanship: kurak, saima, and terme.
Barpy village, Jalalabat Region | end of June
National Horse Games and Birds of Prey Festival by CBT Tamchy
Presenting the art of hunting with a Golden Eagle, showcasing Kyrgyz national games Ulak-Tartysh and Tyiyn-Enmei.
Tamchy village, northern lakeshore of Issyk-Kul lake | August 6th 2024
Birds of Prey Festival by CBT Bokonbaevo
Showcasing Golden Eagle hunting, presenting a folklore performance, exhibiting and selling handicrafts and souvenirs, offering a taste of Kyrgyz cuisine.
Jaichy yurt camp, southern lakeshore of Issyk-Kul Lake, near Kok-Sai Village | August
National Uzbek cuisine festival by CBT Jalalabad
Cooking and showcasing Uzbek cuisine in Kyrgyzstan.
Jalalabad, Jalalabat Region | August
Nomad Games Festival
Games dedicated to Children’s Day and beshil boloo (The “beshik” tradition, over two millennia old, involves placing a newborn in a cradle. This custom includes the rite of the first swaddling. In times lacking optimal conditions for weather extremes, the beshik played a vital role in safeguarding the baby’s health). The event also displays national musical songs, national games like bow shooting, arkan-tartmai & kol kurosh. An event about Kyrgyz kochmon (The life of a nomadic people who do not settle and move from one place to another) is also organized and the event is finished by Er enish & Ulak Tartysh games.
Kyzyl Kol village, Sary Chelek, Jalalabat Region | 1st of June 2024
Jaichy agro festival 2024
This event includes a Kyrgyzs Folklore show, wool and crafts classes and a sheep shearing display accompanied by wool sorting, yarn thread and hand weaving. The agro event is followed by a fashion show during the lunc and follewed by milking master class with goat and cow milking and demonstrations of dairy milk products production.
Jaichy village, Issyk Kul south side | 6th of July 2024
Kyzyl Oi Kyrgyz national horse games
This event lasts all day and even till the night. It starts with a yurt building demonstration and Beshike-Salmai; Kyrgyz ceremony of introducing a baby to the cradle. These are followed by Tushoo Kizme; Kyrgyz tradition celebrated when a child begins to walk so that he/she will walk well, and a folklore show; Traditional singing and dancing, and telling of the ancient epos “Manas “
After lunch there will be a short walk to the horse games location at the start of the village followed by the start of the horse games with “Ulak Tartysh (Улак Тартыш)” also known as Kok Boru; a mixture between polo and rugby. In the afternoon there are “Oodarysh (Оодарыш)”; wrestling to get the opponent off his horse, “Tyin Enmei (Тыйын Эңмей)”; picking up coins (=Tyin) wrapped in scarfs from a galloping horse and the “Kyz Kyymai (Кыз куумай)”; a guy galopping after a girl in order to kiss her (or get whipped by her if he fails)
The evening begins with dinner in уurts and traditional games: Arkan-Tartmay, Tchaka-Tchapmai and Kol-Kurosh. A disco will last till the midnight with a bonfire.
Kyzyl Oi village | 7th of July 2024
Festivals in other Central Asian countries
Page updated 14.6.2024
