​ 

The Orthodox Church recognizes January 7 as the birth day of Christ.  During the Soviet Union Regime, Christmas celebrations were banned by the government.  However, after the fall of the Soviet Union, Kyrgyzstan has since officially recognized major Islamic and Orthodox Christian holidays and festivals. 

During the period of the Soviet Union, this day commemorated the Red Army Day or Day of Soviet Army and Navy. Nowadays, this holiday celebrates and honours both those who have served and are currently serving in the Armed Force. 

Most major cities will marked this special day with parades through the city.  In Bishkek, the Biskek Garrison would host a parade to honor the armed forces.  Women would also symbolically give small gifts to either their husbands, boyfriends, fiances, fathers, sons or and brothers. 

Women’s day is a significant and popular holiday in Russia and Central Asia. On this day, it is traditional for people to  present women with gifts and flowers to express appreciation for their work, love and devotion. In Kyrgyzstan, this holiday ties in together with Mother’s Day.

Nauriz is a celebration of both the Persian New Year and the beginning of Spring.  After a long hard winter, spring is a welcomed season to embrace.

Nauriz begins on either March 20 or 21.  This day depends on the day of the spring equinox (Days and nights with equal length). After the equinox, days become longer and this symbolizes that a new beginning has commenced

This public holiday commemorates the 2010 Kyrgyz Revolution.

This significant day celebrates a time when popular protest ended a long period of dictatorship and true democracy was restored.

​     

After Kyrgyz Republic became independent in 1991, the first post-Soviet constitution of Kyrgyzstan was adopted on May 5, 1993 (and later updated in 2010). This holiday commerates this significant event in Kyrgyz history. 

This is a day when Russia and other surrounding countries (except Kazakhstan which celebrates on May 7) celebrate their victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War. During the day, military parades are held in most major cities.  The most eventful parade is held in the capital, Bishkek.  This parade is marked with a display of military vehicles, Kyrgyz infantry, helicopter and other air force flyovers. At Ala-too Square, the President of Kyrgyzstan delivers a speech to the entire nation.

Eid-al-Fitr is the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal. It marks the end of Ramadan.  Ramadan is a month of fasting and prayer and is one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith.

The date for Eid-al-Fitr depends on the sighting of the moon, therefore the exact date of celebration varies around the world. The announcement of the exact date takes place near the near the beginning of Ramadan.

This festival is also known as the “Festival of Sacrifice”, in which it honours Abraham’s (Ibrahim) willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. It is the second of two Islamic holidays celebrated worldwide each year (the first is Eid-al-Fitr).

Every 5 years, on August 31, a military parade is held in honor of Independence Day at Ala-Too Square, Bishkek (the last parade was held in 2016).  Smaller Military parades also takes place in other parts of the country, such as in Osh and Jalal-Abad.

Previously known as the “Day of the Great October Socialist Revolution”, these two days are a reminder of the significant accomplishment of the October revolution.