21Mar
Every year on 21 March and the following days
Navruz fairs
Spring fairs across the country on 21 March and the days that follow: cauldrons of sumalak, concerts, kurash, kupkari and markets.
Events
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.
About the race
The Samarkand Marathon was launched in 2019 by Uzbekistan’s Art and Culture Development Foundation as the country’s first international charity race. The inaugural half marathon drew 1,176 runners from 25 countries; a full 42.2 km marathon was added in 2022, and the race belongs to AIMS, the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races. Its guiding idea is inclusion — highlighting the accessibility of cultural sites for people with disabilities. Start and finish are beside the Registan, and the course runs towards Shah-i-Zinda, through old mahallas and city streets to the Silk Road Samarkand complex. The 2025 edition drew more than 8,000 runners from over 50 countries.
The 2026 race is scheduled for 7–8 November: a 5K and a free inclusive 5K for people with disabilities on the evening of the 7th, then the marathon, half marathon, 10K, 2K and children’s races on the morning of the 8th. Expect road closures in the centre and book hotels early.
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