Public Holidays in Kazakhstan
Statutory public holidays in Kazakhstan, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Kazakhstan at a glance
Kazakhstan’s public holidays combine Soviet-era dates, national commemorations and Islamic observances. Nauryz, the spring equinox festival in March, is the largest celebration and runs for several days.
Because several dates are lunar or equinox-based, the calendar shifts slightly from year to year, and the long Nauryz break is the busiest travel period.
Kazakhstan public holidays 2026
Kazakhstan has 19 public holidays in 2026 – the statutory days off. The table below lists those public holidays; observances and other non-statutory dates are not part of the total.
| Holiday | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1Thu | National |
| New Year's Day | Jan 2Fri | National |
| Orthodox Christmas | Jan 7Wed | National |
| International Women's Day | Mar 8Sun | National |
| International Women's Day (observed) | Mar 9Mon | Substitute |
| Nowruz Holiday | Mar 21Sat | National |
| Nowruz Holiday | Mar 22Sun | National |
| Nowruz Holiday | Mar 23Mon | National |
| Nowruz Holiday (observed) | Mar 24Tue | Substitute |
| Nowruz Holiday (observed) | Mar 25Wed | Substitute |
| Kazakhstan's People Solidarity Holiday | May 1Fri | National |
| Defender of the Fatherland Day | May 7Thu | National |
Showing 12 of 19 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Kazakhstan
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Kazakhstan.
Astana
A purpose-built capital of futuristic towers on the windswept steppe.
Almaty
The former capital beneath the Tian Shan, with tree-lined avenues and mountain trails.
Shymkent
A warm southern city near the Uzbek border with a large oriental bazaar.
Karaganda
A coal-mining city of wide Soviet avenues on the central steppe.
Aktau
A Caspian port city serving the Mangystau oilfields and desert canyons.
Top attractions in Kazakhstan
The places that draw most visitors to Kazakhstan.
Charyn Canyon
A red rock canyon often compared to the Grand Canyon, carved by the Charyn river.
Kolsai Lakes
A chain of turquoise alpine lakes in the northern Tian Shan.
Khan Tengri
A 7,010-metre marble-capped pyramid on the Kyrgyz border.
Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi
A vast turquoise-domed Timurid shrine and pilgrimage site.
Bayterek Tower
Astana's observation tower, symbol of the new capital on the Ishim river.
Altyn-Emel National Park
Steppe and desert park holding the singing dunes and petroglyphs.
Festivals, food and getting around Kazakhstan
What the calendar looks like on the ground, and how to move through the country around it.
Festivals behind the holidays
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New Year's Day
Falls on Jan 1
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New Year Holiday
Falls on Jan 2
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Orthodox Christmas Day
Falls on Jan 7
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🎉
Ramadan starts
Falls on Feb 18
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International Women's Day
Falls on Mar 8
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Day off for International Women's Day
Falls on Mar 9
Food & drink
Getting around
Vast distances make rail and air the practical choices; the overnight trains between Astana and Almaty are popular and comfortable.
Travelling around Kazakhstan’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Kazakhstan tighten around major holidays; reserve early for the busiest weeks.
Check opening hours
Museums, banks and government offices usually close on statutory holidays, and often on the nearest Monday.
Carry local currency
Small vendors and rural businesses frequently take cash only, especially on holidays when banks are shut.
Expect crowded transport
Long weekends produce the year's heaviest road, rail and air traffic. Build in extra travel time.
Confirm the official list
Kazakhstan's holiday dates are confirmed by government announcement; check the year page for the final arrangement.
Plan the long weekends
Pairing a holiday with adjacent weekends gives the longest breaks of the year — and the busiest.
Kazakhstan public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Kazakhstan have?
Kazakhstan has 19 public holidays in 2026, counting every date typed National, Substitute or Bank in our calendar. Observances, religious dates and regional holidays are listed separately and left out of the total, because they are not days off across the whole country.
Where can I find the full 2026 list?
The complete 2026 calendar for Kazakhstan is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Kazakhstan's public holidays paid?
Statutory national holidays are generally paid leave for employees. Observances and commemorative days are usually not.
Do holidays move if they fall on a weekend?
Where a holiday falls on a weekend, Kazakhstan typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Kazakhstan?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Kazakhstan?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Kazakhstan
School term dates in Kazakhstan
School calendar data last updated 10 Sep 2026. Dates come from education ministries and local education authorities; always re-check with the school before booking travel.