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
Teachers’ and Mentors’ Day
1 October honours teachers: a public holiday since 1997, with celebrations in schools and universities, flowers and greetings.
History
Teachers’ and Mentors’ Day was established by a law of 27 December 1996 and has been celebrated every 1 October since 1997. Before that, from 1994 to 1996, a Day of Public Education Workers was marked on the first Sunday of October. In Uzbek tradition the ustoz, the teacher, is the most respected person after one’s parents, which is why the day is one of the non-working holidays in the Labour Code.
It honours not only schoolteachers but also coaches, craft masters and university lecturers.
How it is celebrated
Schools and universities hold concerts and award ceremonies, pupils bring teachers flowers and cards, and former students look up their old mentors. Government offices close on 1 October, and the streets are full of young people carrying bouquets.
Sources (2)
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 · 21 March
Navruz holiday
21 March, the spring equinox and the nation’s favourite festival: a public holiday, with fairs and sumalak lasting several days.
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 · 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.