Uzbekistan public holidays 2027: dates and what they mean for travellers

The dates of Ramazon Hayit and Qurbon Hayit follow the Islamic lunar calendar and are announced by the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan shortly before. The government often moves working days to create longer weekends around holidays, so check the official calendar for 2027.

New Year is the biggest family holiday of the year, a legacy of the Soviet period. Cities are decorated with lights and trees, fireworks light up Tashkent at midnight, and families gather for large meals. Many people travel to the mountains near Tashkent for skiing. Expect busy trains and resorts at the end of December and in early January. See Uzbekistan in January.

On 8 March, women receive flowers, gifts and congratulations from colleagues, family and friends. Flower stalls appear everywhere. For visitors, it is a pleasant, cheerful day with little disruption.

Ramazon Hayit marks the end of the month of fasting. In 2027, it is expected around 9–10 March. In the morning, men gather for prayers in mosques and squares; families then visit relatives, neighbours and cemeteries, share special dishes and sweets, and give to charity. Some shops and restaurants close for the day. See Ramadan in Uzbekistan.

Navruz, on 21 March, is the Persian New Year and the start of spring, the most joyful holiday in Uzbekistan. Women cook sumalak, a sweet paste of sprouted wheat, overnight in huge cauldrons; there are concerts, fairs, games and dancing in parks and squares. Navruz is often extended to several days off. It is a wonderful time to visit, though trains and hotels can be busy. Read Navruz in Uzbekistan 2027 and Uzbekistan in March.

On 9 May, Uzbekistan remembers those who died in the Second World War and honours veterans. Ceremonies are held at memorials, such as the Mourning Mother monument in Tashkent’s Memorial Square. It is a solemn day.

Qurbon Hayit (Eid al-Adha), the festival of sacrifice, falls about seventy days after Ramazon Hayit, expected around 16–17 May 2027. Families who can afford it sacrifice a sheep and share the meat with relatives, neighbours and the poor. Prayers, family visits and meals fill the day. Shops and restaurants may close, and transport can be busy before and after.

1 September celebrates Uzbekistan’s independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Tashkent hosts concerts, a festive programme and fireworks; cities are decorated with flags. It is followed by the start of the school year on 2 September. See Uzbekistan in September.

On 1 October, students bring flowers to their teachers. On 8 December, Constitution Day marks the adoption of the constitution; the constitution was substantially revised in 2023. Both are calm days for visitors.

• Trains and flights are busier just before and after holidays, especially Navruz, the Eids and New Year. Book early. See trains in Uzbekistan.
• Hotels in popular cities fill up around Navruz and the spring holidays.
• Sights and museums usually stay open, sometimes with changed hours; on major holidays, some close for a day.
• Banks and offices close; ATMs work.
• Festive atmosphere: holidays are a great chance to see celebrations, concerts and family life.

Besides public holidays, Uzbekistan hosts festivals that are not days off, such as the Silk and Spices Festival in Bukhara (late spring), the Lazgi International Dance Festival in Khiva (late April in even years), Boysun Bahori in the south in some years, and Sharq Taronalari in Samarkand (late August in some years). Check our festivals calendar for updates.

If you want to experience a holiday, Navruz in March and Independence Day in September are the most festive and visitor-friendly. If you prefer quiet travel, avoid the days just before and after Navruz and the two Eids, when Uzbeks travel to visit family and transport is busy. The New Year period is busy in the mountains but quiet in the Silk Road cities. Weekends around holidays can also be busy at popular sights such as the Registan. Book trains and flights early for travel close to holiday dates.

In Uzbekistan, the working week is Monday to Friday, and many shops and bazaars are open seven days a week. Museums often close one day a week, usually Monday or Tuesday; check locally. When a holiday falls on a weekend, the government may move the day off to a weekday, and it sometimes announces extra days off around major holidays to create long weekends.

If you combine Uzbekistan with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan or Turkmenistan, remember that each country has its own holidays, such as Kyrgyzstan’s Independence Day on 31 August, Tajikistan’s on 9 September, Turkmenistan’s on 27 September and Kazakhstan’s on 16 December. Navruz and the Eids are celebrated across the region. Border crossings can be busier around these dates. See our festivals calendar and border crossings in Central Asia.

Holiday dates and extra days off are confirmed by the government each year, so check the official calendar shortly before your trip.