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Festivals & Upcoming Events in Kyrgyzstan 2026
Kyrgyzstan is preparing for an exhilarating year in 2026 — a time when traditional culture, wild landscapes and modern event excitement meet. At Mars Travel, we’re already planning to bring you the best of this moment, and we invite you to join us.
Kyrgyzstan observes both secular and religious holidays, with some being non-working days while others are public but not paid holidays. Some of the main national holidays include:
Non-working public holidays
  • New Year's Day: January 1.
  • Orthodox Christmas: January 7.
  • International Women's Day: March 8.
  • Nooruz (Persian New Year): March 21. This spring holiday is widely celebrated with traditional feasts and festivals.
  • Orozo Ait: This Muslim holiday marks the end of Ramadan. The exact date changes each year based on the Islamic lunar calendar.
  • Labour Day: May 1.
  • Constitution Day: May 5.
  • Victory Day: May 9. Commemorates the end of World War II.
  • Kurman Ait: This Muslim holiday is the Feast of Sacrifice. Its date also varies annually based on the Islamic lunar calendar.
  • Independence Day: August 31. 
Public but working holidays
  • Defender of the Fatherland Day: February 23.
  • Day of the People's April Revolution: April 7.
  • Days of History and Memory of Ancestors: November 7–8.
World Nomad Games 2026
📍 Bishkek & Issyk-Kul Lake (Cholpon-Ata)
📅 August 31 – September 6, 2026
The World Nomad Games are the biggest and most spectacular event in Central Asia!

Experience traditional sports, eagle hunting, yurt-building, and music — all in one breathtaking celebration.

✨ A must-see for every traveler who wants to feel the nomadic spirit of Kyrgyzstan.

👉 Best for: cultural explorers, photographers, and adventure lovers
Nooruz Festival
📍 All regions of Kyrgyzstan
📅 March 21–24, 2026

🌸 Nooruz (Spring New Year)

Celebrate the rebirth of nature during Nooruz — Kyrgyzstan’s spring New Year.

Music, national food, dances, and horse games fill the cities and villages.

Join the locals for open-air celebrations and feel the joy of spring!
Opening of Tourism Season
📍 Cholpon-Ata, Issyk-Kul Region
📅 Early May, 2026
Image idea: Rukh Ordo Cultural Center, yurt-building, or Issyk-Kul concert stage.

☀️ Opening of the Tourism Season


Start your summer adventure with concerts, yurt shows, and local crafts on the shore of Issyk-Kul.
A perfect time for early-summer tours and lake exploration.
Horse Games & Rural Fairs
🐎 Summer Horse Games & Rural Festivals
June
Image idea: Kok-boru (horse game), green valley, or smiling villagers.

June brings exciting horse competitions and village fairs.
Taste local dairy, watch ulak-tartysh, and enjoy authentic nomadic life experiences.
Kymyz & Felt Craft Festivals
📍 Kochkor, Naryn & Chui regions
📅 Mid to Late July, 2026

Image idea: Woman preparing kumys, felt-making, or a local fair.

🧶 Kymyz & Felt Craft Festivals


Taste Kyrgyzstan’s famous fermented mare’s milk, kymyz, and join workshops on felt and wool crafts.
Colorful markets, national music, and food — the true summer spirit of Kyrgyzstan!
Birds of Prey
📍 Bokonbaevo / Tamchy, Issyk-Kul South Shore
📅 Around August 10–20, 2026

Image idea: Eagle hunter (berkutchi) with golden eagle on arm.

🦅 Birds of Prey & Horse Games Festival


Meet eagle hunters, enjoy traditional horseback games, and explore handicraft markets.
One of the most photogenic and authentic festivals of Kyrgyzstan!
🍂 Festival of Manas
📍 Talas Region
September

Image idea: Talas region, storytelling, horse show, or monument of Manas.

Dedicated to the legendary hero Manas, this festival includes storytelling, traditional music, and equestrian performances.
A perfect addition to your post-Nomad Games itinerary.
🍁 Osh City Day
📍 Osh, South Kyrgyzstan
October

Image idea: Osh city bazaar, Sulaiman-Too mountain, or local parade.

The ancient city of Osh celebrates with parades, concerts, and traditional food fairs.
A great time to explore southern Kyrgyzstan and visit the sacred Sulaiman-Too Mountain.
Kyrgyzstan's Independence Day is celebrated annually on August 31st.
 This national holiday commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of State Independence in 1991, which established Kyrgyzstan as a sovereign and democratic state after it separated from the Soviet Union. Celebrations typically include concerts, traditional horse games like Kok Boru, and fireworks, with major festivities held in the capital city, Bishkek. 
  • Significance: Marks the country's declaration of independence from the USSR in 1991. 
  • Celebrations: Involve various events, including:
  • Festive events on Ala-Too Square in Bishkek. 
  • Concerts featuring traditional, pop, and amateur music. 
  • National horse games such as Kok Boru. 
  • Photo exhibitions and other cultural activities. 
  • A grand finale with fireworks. 
Important notes on holidays in Kyrgyzstan
  • Weekend extensions: If a national holiday falls on a weekend, the holiday is typically moved to the following working day.
  • Extended May holidays: The government sometimes adds extra days off to the calendar in early May to create an extended holiday period around Labour Day, Constitution Day, and Victory Day.
  • Religious holidays: As in other Muslim countries, the precise dates for Orozo Ait and Kurman Ait are based on the sighting of the moon and will vary each year.
  • Cultural celebrations: Other cultural celebrations are observed throughout the year, such as the Slavic holiday Maslenitsa.
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