There are countless ways to explore and experience the vibrant culture of Uzbekistan. Yet few offer the same vivid and immediate connection as its festivals. Below, we present a list of the most captivating and spectacular events you simply must attend this year.
Famous musicians from the USA, Germany, France, Israel, Indonesia, Poland, Switzerland, as well as leading Uzbek jazz performers, will take the stage at the Summer Venue of the Palace of International Forums. Last year’s lineup featured some of the biggest names in contemporary jazz, including the legendary saxophonist Kenny Garrett, jazz diva Dee Dee Bridgewater, critics’ favorite Gregory Porter, Italian vocalist Mario Biondi, the French accordion trio led by Marc Berthoumieux, and other stars. This year, the festival will be headlined by the legendary Glenn Miller Orchestra (program).
One of the festival’s greatest advantages is free admission. You can indulge in the stylistic diversity of jazz and enjoy dancing under the open sky — all completely free of charge.
The epicenter of the festival is the town of Muynak. Only once, in 2023, was the “elemental” celebration relocated — that year, it unfolded in the Bukhara Region. In addition to an eclectic and vibrant music program, Stihia offers guests the chance to engage with the “STIHIA N+1” forum, where local residents share moving stories about the region. Visitors can also explore art installations scattered across the sands, take part in master classes and yoga sessions, and support local artisans at a bustling eco-brand fair.
Standard and group tickets for the festival are available for purchase on the official website stihia.org. The closer to the festival dates you buy, the higher the ticket prices climb. Please note: transportation, accommodation, and meals are not included in the ticket price. A separate purchase is required for a campsite spot where you will stay during the three days of this unforgettable event.
The venue itself — the Poet Amirkul Pulkan Park in Oltinsoy Mahalla — carries deep symbolic meaning. Local legend holds that many of Uzbekistan’s beloved folk songs and legends were born in this very place.
The festival program promises a vibrant showcase of live performances by acclaimed bakhshi and rising talents, spontaneous rubab improvisations, stirring recitations of dastan excerpts, poetic duels, and engaging master classes.
Everyone is welcome to experience this living art form, which UNESCO has inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Entry to the festival is free of charge.
The festival’s significance is also deeply rooted in the history of Namangan. First held in 1961, it has since become a proud symbol of the region. In 2019, following a recommendation by the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the festival was elevated to international status. Last year alone, it welcomed over six million visitors, including a growing number of international tourists.
A signature highlight of the Flower Festival is the grand floral parade of automobiles. Vehicles, lavishly adorned with flowers, set off from Namangan International Airport and make their triumphant way toward Babur Park, delighting both children and adults who gather along the route.
Throughout the festival, guests are treated to performances by creative ensembles, vibrant artisan fairs, and tastings of traditional national dishes. Entry to the festival is free of charge.
The Strongman Games are not just a sporting spectacle — they are accompanied by a vibrant cultural program featuring concerts, master classes, exhibitions, and artisan fairs. This blend of athleticism and cultural richness makes the event a magnet for both sports enthusiasts and travelers eager to immerse themselves in the traditions and heritage of Uzbekistan.
The festival’s program offers a rich tapestry of experiences: a grand parade in traditional costumes, concerts, exhibitions, gastronomic tastings, and master classes. Creative ensembles and artisans from across Uzbekistan and various foreign countries gather to participate, filling the ancient city with artistry, flavor, and festivity.
Booths and stands overflow with melons and other crops, with the undisputed star being the melon in all its astonishing variety — over 120 different kinds: “Gurvak,” “Karikiz,” “Tuya Kovun,” “Ola Zamcha,” “Khorezm Ok Novvoti,” “Kuk Gulobi,” “Borikalla,” and many more. Visitors are welcome to sample many of these juicy delights right on the spot.
Beyond tastings, the festival delights guests with performances by tightrope walkers, theatrical shows, concerts, and exhibitions of traditional decorative and applied arts, turning the event into a true celebration of Khorezm’s cultural heritage.
The biennale’s theme, “Recipes for Broken Hearts,” draws its inspiration from a local legend about the great philosopher and healer Ibn Sina, who, according to tradition, invented plov (pilaf) to cure a lovesick prince. Over 70 participants from different countries will interpret this metaphor, presenting art as a means of collective healing and shared experience. Major international artists, including Antony Gormley, Subodh Gupta, and the art collective Slavs and Tatars, have already confirmed their participation.
Visitors can look forward to a rich program featuring art exhibitions, musical and dance performances, culinary experiences, and a variety of other cultural projects.
