Plan your holidays according to this unique Festivals and Events Calendar - the best way to get in touch with unforgettable Kyrgyz national games, customs and traditions.
Disclaimer: The following calendar is based on information received from organizers of events, local tourism boards and other sources. Changes and cancellations may occur with no prior notice due to any reasons. It is strongly advised to check dates and location before finalizing your travel plan with organizers of the events whose contacts are provided below.
~We cannot provide any additional information other than mentioned below~
Dates in RED - not confirmed / under review.
Dates in GREEN - preliminary confirmed for 2023 but advised to check before your trip.
January 21, 2023 | Arslanbob Ski Run
Ski run. Competitions for children and adults.
Entry fee: 1000 soms (entrance fee, lunch and folklore show)
Location: Arslanbob Village, Jalal-Abad Region Organizer contact: CBT Arslanbob; +996 777 342476
March 21, 2023 | Nooruz
Tradition of preparing national dish of sumolok on the day of the spring equinox, local governments would organize concerts and small national sport competitions. In honor of the Nooruz holiday the event exhibits works of local craftsman's with the most authentic and popular types of their products.
Location: Bishkek, All regions of Kyrgyzstan
March 21, 2023 | Sumolok Festival
Preparing the national dish “Sumolok”, national games, concert show. Nooruz is a holiday that unites all people in a large family and friendly circle. Where the main symbol is the traditional sumolok dish. It is believed that sumolok gives people a special vitality and energy. It is the strength of the body and spirit.
The word "sumolok" (the dish is also called "sumanak", "sumalak", "sumelek") comes from two words - "sum", which means "steamed wheat" and "laks" - wheat flour.
Entry fee: 800 som / 10 USD (lunch included)
Location: Jalal-Abad 2nd lane Soviet house #3 | Organizer contact: CBT Jalal-Abad; +996 772 376602; +996 3722 21962
April dates TBD | Week of Traditional Music
The annual celebration of the Day of Traditional Music has become a good tradition, a holiday for the keepers of professional oral music. The aim of the week is to preserve, improve and develop traditional music, layers of oral-professional music in folklore and oral tradition in the era of globalization. Master classes on making national instruments and an exhibition of national traditional clothes and household tools are held.
Location: Bishkek, Ala-Too Square | Google Map
May 01, 2023 | Alpiniada 2022
The Alpiniada is held with the aim of popularizing mountaineering, rock climbing, ice climbing, sustainable tourism, improving the skills of athletes and rescuers of the public rescue team, as well as promoting a healthy lifestyle and improving the health of the population.
Location: Bishkek, Ala-Archa Gorge | Google Map | Organizer contact: Alpine Club of the Kyrgyz Republic; +996 312 621861
May 06, 2023 | Arslanbob MTB competition
Mountain biking competition.
Entry fee: 1500 som / 20 USD (lunch included)
Location: Arslanbob Village, Jalal-Abad Region Organizer contact: CBT Arslanbob; +996 777 342476
May dates TBD| Festival of migratory birds
Creation and preservation of micro-reserves, development of ecological tourism.
Location: Kara-Talaa, Ton district, Issyk-Kul region | Organizer contact: Bakyt Choytonbaev
Tel.:+996 700 267795, +996 778 267795; Ermek Shabukeev +996 700 707040
May 20, 2023 | Kymyz Bazaar Festival
At the Kymyz Bazaar festival, conditions will be created for domestic producers to popularize the national drink and improve the quality of the product. The main goal of the event is to increase the awareness and demand for kymyz among the local population and tourists. The program includes traditional games, a folklore concert, handicraft and cooking classes
Location: Bishkek, Baibol Complex | Organizer contact: Mansur Abylaev; +996 770 333323
June 01, 2023 | Joo-Guluk Tushoo Toi Festival
Annual festival. Festival program: 10 km marathon, starting from the center of Bokonbaevo village to the coastal zone of Manzhyly- Ata
Location: Bokonbaevo village and coastal zone of Manzhyly-Ata | Organizer contact: CBT Bokonbayevo; +996 700 267795, +996 778 267795
June 03, 2023 | Kymyz Festival
The goal of the event is to praise the generosity of Kyrgyz people and treat guests with the traditional beverage Kymyz, and also to familiarize them with the therapeutic properties of this drink.
Herodotus spoke about this drink of the nomadic tribes, describing his last wanderings. To prepare koumiss, you must first choose the basis for fermentation. Mare or camel milk is suitable. Then wait for a certain fermentation time. After that, distillate is poured into raw unpasteurized milk and fermented at 300 degrees for 8-10 hours.
Kymyz combines the taste of both milk and alcohol. The higher the fat content of milk, the richer and stronger the Kymyz will be. The maximum strength of the drink is 5-6%.
Location: Kochkor, Naryn region | Organizer contact:
