7Nov
Every year in early November; 2026: 7–8 November
Samarkand Marathon
An international charity run starting by the Registan every autumn: marathon, half marathon, 10 km and 5 km, plus children’s and inclusive races.
Samarkand
Events
Navruz fairs
Spring fairs across the country on 21 March and the days that follow: cauldrons of sumalak, concerts, kurash, kupkari and markets.
Photo: Xoqoni Said · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
The fairs
Navruz is Uzbekistan’s best-loved holiday, and its sayl fairs run for several days from 21 March. City parks and squares fill with concerts, craft and food markets, kurash wrestling and folk games; mahallas cook sumalak and halim through the night, and villages stage kupkari. Regional capitals and districts hold their own fairs, each showing off its dishes, songs and dances.
For travellers it is a chance to see the country at its most open and hospitable — someone will offer you sumalak or invite you to a fair. Transport and hotels are busy over the holiday. For the meaning and customs of Navruz, see our ‘Navruz holiday’ and ‘Navruz customs’ entries.
Sources (3)
Photos
April
Every two years, usually in April; the 2027 venue and dates have not been announced
International Festival of Bakhshi Art
A biennial festival of epic singers that moves to a new region each time: Termez 2019, Karakalpakstan 2021, Syrdarya 2023, Khiva 2025.
Surkhandarya, Karakalpakstan +2
April
Every spring, in April (2026: 17–19 April); next date not yet announced
International Embroidery Festival (Samarkand)
A celebration of embroidery in Samarkand’s historic centre: suzani exhibitions, masterclasses, a souvenir fair and folk performances.
Samarkand
April
Every two years, 25–30 April (2022, 2024, 2026); next expected in 2028
Lazgi International Dance Festival
Khiva’s biennial celebration of Khorezm dance: an international competition, an academic conference, masterclasses and concerts; 2026 saw the third edition.
Khorezm
May
Every spring, in early May (2026: 1–7 May, 13th edition)
Boysun Bahori International Folklore Festival
A spring folklore festival at the foot of the Baysun mountains: folk ensembles from around the world, a yurt camp, kurash, kupkari, tightrope walkers and craftspeople.
Surkhandarya
May
May 2026 (exact date not announced in advance)
International Kupkari Festival (Syrdarya)
An international kupkari tournament held in spring in Syrdarya district, Syrdarya Region: hundreds of riders and thousands of spectators.
Syrdarya
May
Every year in May (2025: 10–11 May; 2026: 6–10 May)
Urgut International Paragliding Festival
An international paragliding festival in the Andak area of the Urgut mountains — colourful canopies and competitions every May since 2025.
Samarkand
May
Even-numbered years, in May (2026: 15–17 May); next expected in 2028
Gold Embroidery and Jewellery Festival
Bukhara’s even-year festival: exhibitions by gold embroiderers and jewellers, masterclasses, competitions, parades and concerts.
Bukhara