Festival · 1 January
New Year
1 January is a public holiday: Christmas trees, holiday fairs and fireworks in the cities, family feasts at home.
Festival · Nationwide
Navruz holiday
21 March, the spring equinox and the nation’s favourite festival: a public holiday, with fairs and sumalak lasting several days.
The holiday and its status
Uzbekistan celebrates Navruz every year on 21 March, one of the non-working public holidays in the Labour Code. In Soviet times it was not officially recognised and was at times banned; today it is a national celebration that stretches over several days. Navruz was inscribed by UNESCO in 2009, and since 2010 the UN has marked 21 March as the International Day of Nowruz.
In 2026 the holiday brought days off on 21–23 March, which, combined with Ramazon hayiti on 20 March, made for a long break.
For travellers
Over Navruz, city parks and squares host fairs, concerts, craft markets, kurash wrestling and folk games, and mahallas cook sumalak through the night. Government offices close, train and plane tickets are in high demand and hotels fill quickly, so plan ahead. For the customs themselves, see our ‘Navruz customs’ entry.
Festival · 14 January
Defenders of the Motherland Day
14 January marks the founding of Uzbekistan’s Armed Forces: a working day, but one on which soldiers and ‘defenders of the motherland’ are honoured nationwide.
Festival · 8 March
International Women’s Day (8 March)
8 March is a spring holiday honouring mothers, sisters and all women — flowers, gifts and concerts; a public holiday.
Festival · Nationwide
Ramazon hayiti (Eid al-Fitr)
The end of the fast, on the first day of Shawwal: festive prayers, family visits and a table of sweets; the date moves every year.
Festival · Nationwide
Qurbon hayiti (Eid al-Adha)
The Feast of Sacrifice on 10 Dhu al-Hijjah: festive prayers, sharing the sacrificial meat and hospitality; the date moves every year.
Festival · 9 May
Day of Remembrance and Honour
9 May remembers those who died in the Second World War and honours living veterans; until 1999 it was called Victory Day.
Festival · 1 September
Independence Day
1 September is Uzbekistan’s main national holiday, marking the declaration of independence on 31 August 1991 — concerts and fireworks.
Festival · 1 October
Teachers’ and Mentors’ Day
1 October honours teachers: a public holiday since 1997, with celebrations in schools and universities, flowers and greetings.
Festival · 8 December
Constitution Day
8 December marks the adoption of Uzbekistan’s Constitution in 1992 and remains a public holiday after the new 2023 edition.