How Kazakhstan’s Southern Cities Celebrated Nauryz
Across southern Kazakhstan, cities welcomed the arrival of spring with vibrant Nauryz celebrations that combined centuries-old traditions with modern cultural elements. Public squares, parks, and pedestrian areas were transformed into festive spaces filled with concerts, exhibitions, national games, and family activities. Almaty Kazakhstan's biggest city is one of the main venues for celebrating Nauryz. In 2026, the city marked the spring holiday on a particularly large scale, hosting more than 200 events across various locations. The main festivities unfolded in central squares, where concerts, exhibitions, craft fairs, and interactive cultural zones were organized. One distinctive feature of the celebrations was the concept of blending traditional rituals with modern technologies. Themed yurts were installed in public spaces, each dedicated to different aspects of Great Steppe culture, from musical heritage and archaeological reconstructions to contemporary ethno-design. [caption id="attachment_45770" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Image: TCA[/caption] Pedestrian streets were decorated with light installations, LED displays, and interactive digital projects. In the evening, there were concerts by Kazakhstani performers and light shows. Residents attended the celebrations with their families, many wearing national costumes. Ethno-villages were also set up in several districts of Almaty, where sports competitions and children’s programs took place. Shymkent Nauryz was also celebrated on a large scale in Shymkent. Ethno-villages were organized throughout the city, allowing visitors to learn about Kazakh traditions, sample national dishes, and watch performances by local artists. A distinctive feature of the celebrations in Shymkent was the balanced combination of traditional festivities with modern cultural initiatives. Alongside folk performances, guests could explore digital exhibitions, interactive spaces, and educational programs dedicated to Kazakhstan’s history and heritage. [caption id="attachment_45769" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Image: TCA[/caption] Concerts and theatrical performances featuring well-known national performers became a central part of the program, blending traditional motifs with modern stage production. Craft fairs, entertainment areas, playgrounds, and creative workshops were organized for children and families in the city’s main public spaces. Taraz In Taraz, Nauryz was celebrated with lively public festivities reflecting both tradition and contemporary creativity. Central squares were transformed into festive ethno-villages, with yurts installed, folk craft exhibitions arranged, and traditional dishes offered to guests. Residents and visitors watched theatrical performances dedicated to the history of the Kazakh people and the arrival of spring. Folklore groups, dance ensembles, musicians, and young performers took to the stage throughout the day. [caption id="attachment_45772" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Image: TCA[/caption] The celebrations also incorporated modern elements. Visitors could see robots dressed in national costumes, an unusual symbol of the connection between cultural heritage and technological progress. Playgrounds, swings, and various entertainment activities were organized, while many residents took photographs against the backdrop of yurts, traditional decorations, and spring floral displays. The holiday concluded with a large open-air concert and mass public celebrations, reinforcing the sense of unity, joy, and renewal that accompanies Nauryz each year in Kazakhstan.
