What is the best time to visit Kazakhstan?

Best Time to Visit Kazakhstan

The best time to travel to Kazakhstan is during spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November).

Spring in Kazakhstan

Spring is a great time to visit Kazakhstan, as the weather is mild and pleasant. The days are longer and the sun is shining, making it ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities. The countryside is in full bloom, with wildflowers and trees blossoming in all their glory. Visitors can also experience traditional Kazakh festivals such as Nauryz, which celebrates the arrival of spring.

Autumn in Kazakhstan

Autumn is also a great time to visit Kazakhstan, as the weather is still mild and pleasant. The days are shorter and the sun is shining, making it ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities. The countryside is in full bloom, with colorful leaves and trees in all their glory. Visitors can also experience traditional Kazakh festivals such as Kurban Ait, which celebrates the end of the harvest season.

Month-by-month guide for traveling in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan in January

Weather

January in Kazakhstan is usually cold and snowy, with temperatures typically ranging from -10 to -20 degrees Celsius. The days are short, usually with only 5-6 hours of daylight.

Events

  • The Orthodox Christmas is celebrated in Kazakhstan on January 7. The holiday is marked with festive meals and gatherings with family and friends.
  • Kazakhstan celebrates the New Year on January 1 with fireworks, parties, and other festivities.
  • The annual Almaty Marathon takes place in January. The race attracts runners from all over the world to compete in the half marathon and 10K.
  • The annual Almaty International Film Festival is held in January. The festival showcases the best of Kazakh and international cinema.
  • The annual Kazakhstan International Music Festival is held in January. The festival features performances from some of the country’s best musicians.

Kazakhstan in January

Weather

January in Kazakhstan is typically cold and dry, with temperatures ranging from -5°C to -25°C. Snowfall is common in the northern parts of the country, while the southern regions experience less snow.

Events

  • The 7th of January is a public holiday in Kazakhstan, celebrating the Orthodox Christmas.
  • The 14th of January is also a public holiday, celebrating the Old New Year.
  • The 19th of January marks the beginning of the Kazakh New Year, with celebrations taking place across the country.
  • The 21st of January is a public holiday in Kazakhstan, celebrating the Unity of the People.
  • The 25th of January is a public holiday in Kazakhstan, celebrating the Defender of the Fatherland Day.

Kazakhstan in March

Weather

March in Kazakhstan is cold with temperatures ranging from 0°C to 10°C. Snow is still common in the northern parts of the country, while the south often experiences sunny days.

Events

  • Nauryz, the traditional Kazakh New Year, is celebrated in March. People gather to eat traditional dishes, exchange gifts and take part in cultural activities.
  • The International Women’s Day is celebrated on the 8th of March. Women are honored for their achievements and contributions to society.
  • The World Water Day is celebrated on the 22nd of March. Events are held to raise awareness about water conservation and the importance of water for human life.
  • The Spring Equinox is celebrated on the 20th of March. People gather to celebrate the arrival of spring and the end of winter.
  • The International Day of Nowruz is celebrated on the 21st of March. This is a traditional Persian festival that marks the beginning of spring and is celebrated by many cultures in Central Asia.

Kazakhstan in April

Weather

April in Kazakhstan is generally mild, with temperatures ranging from 5 to 15 degrees Celsius. The days are usually sunny, with occasional rain showers.

Events

  • Nauryz is a traditional holiday in Kazakhstan celebrated on the vernal equinox, which usually falls on March 21st or 22nd. It is a time of celebration and renewal, and is marked by feasts, music, and dancing.
  • The annual Eurasia Marathon is held in April in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The marathon is a great way to experience the beauty of the country, as the course winds through the city and its surrounding mountains.
  • The Almaty International Marathon is held in April and is one of the most popular running events in Kazakhstan. The course takes runners through the city and its surrounding mountains, offering stunning views of the area.
  • The annual Almaty Flower Festival is held in April and is a great way to celebrate the arrival of spring. The festival features a variety of flower displays, as well as live music and entertainment.
  • The annual International Music Festival is held in April in Almaty and is a great way to experience the city’s vibrant music scene. The festival features a variety of performances from local and international artists.

Kazakhstan in May

Weather

In May, Kazakhstan experiences mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine. The average daily high temperature is around 22°C (72°F), and the average daily low temperature is around 11°C (52°F). The days are usually sunny, with the occasional thunderstorm.

Events

  • May 1st is celebrated as International Workers’ Day in Kazakhstan. It is a public holiday, and many people attend parades and other festivities.
  • On May 5th, Kazakhstan celebrates the Day of the Constitution. This holiday is celebrated with parades, concerts, and other events.
  • On May 9th, Kazakhstan celebrates Victory Day, which marks the end of World War II. This holiday is celebrated with military parades and other festivities.
  • On May 21st, Kazakhstan celebrates the Day of the Capital. This holiday is celebrated with parades and other festivities.
  • On May 25th, Kazakhstan celebrates the Day of the Republic. This holiday is celebrated with parades and other festivities.

Kazakhstan in June

Weather

June in Kazakhstan is generally warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from the high 50s to the low 80s Fahrenheit (10-27°C). The nights can be cool, with temperatures dropping to the mid-50s (12-15°C).

Events

  • The International Almaty Marathon is held in June, and is a great way to explore the city and its surroundings.
  • The Kazakh National Holiday of Nauryz is celebrated in June, and is a great time to experience the culture and customs of Kazakhstan.
  • The International Festival of Traditional Music and Dance is held in June in Almaty, and is a great way to experience the traditional music and dance of Kazakhstan.
  • The Eurasian International Film Festival is held in June in Almaty, and is a great way to experience the best of Kazakh and international cinema.
  • The International Festival of Art is held in June in Almaty, and is a great way to experience the best of Kazakh and international art.

Kazakhstan in July

Weather

July in Kazakhstan is typically warm, with temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to the mid-80s Fahrenheit (18-30 degrees Celsius). July is the warmest month of the year in Kazakhstan, with high humidity levels and occasional thunderstorms.

Events

  • The Kazakh National Day is celebrated on July 6th, commemorating the independence of Kazakhstan from the Soviet Union in 1991.
  • The Nauryz Festival is celebrated on the summer solstice, usually falling in late June or early July. This festival is celebrated with traditional dancing, singing, and feasting, and is a celebration of the start of the new year.
  • The Almaty International Marathon is held in July, usually in the second half of the month. This event is open to runners of all skill levels and includes a half-marathon, 10K, and 5K.
  • The Almaty International Music Festival is held in July, featuring classical, jazz, and folk music from around the world.
  • The World Nomad Games are held in July, usually in the second half of the month. This event is a celebration of traditional nomadic culture and includes competitions in archery, wrestling, and horse racing.

Kazakhstan in August

Weather

August is the hottest month of the year in Kazakhstan, with temperatures reaching an average daily high of 25°C (77°F) and an average daily low of 14°C (57°F). The country also experiences a dry climate during this time of year, with very little precipitation.

Events

  • The Almaty International Marathon takes place in August, drawing thousands of runners from around the world.
  • The Kazakhstan International Film Festival is held in August, showcasing the best in Kazakh and international cinema.
  • The International Music Festival is held in August, featuring performances from some of the top musical acts in the world.
  • The Kazakh National Horse Racing Festival is held in August, showcasing the country’s best equestrian athletes.
  • The World Nomad Games are held in August, featuring competitions in traditional sports like archery, wrestling, and falconry.

Kazakhstan in September

Weather

September in Kazakhstan is generally mild and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from highs of around 25°C (77°F) to lows of around 10°C (50°F).

Events

  • The Almaty Marathon takes place in early September, attracting thousands of runners. The event usually includes a half-marathon, 10 km, 5 km, and 1 km races.
  • In mid-September, the city of Almaty hosts the annual Kazakhstan International Music Festival. This event features performances from local and international artists, as well as workshops and master classes.
  • The Astana Economic Forum is held in late September in the city of Astana. This event brings together business, government, and civil society leaders from around the world to discuss economic issues.
  • The annual Kazakhstan International Film Festival takes place in late September in Almaty. The event showcases the best of Kazakh and international cinema.
  • The Almaty International Jazz Festival is held in late September, featuring performances from some of the world’s top jazz musicians.

Kazakhstan in October

Weather

October in Kazakhstan is generally cool and dry, with temperatures ranging from 10-15°C (50-59°F). The days are usually sunny and pleasant, making it a great time to explore the outdoors.

Events

  • The International Almaty Marathon is held in October, giving runners a chance to explore the beautiful city of Almaty.
  • The Day of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan is celebrated on October 25th. This day commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of Kazakhstan in 1995.
  • The International Festival of Traditional Music is held in October in Astana. This festival features traditional music from Kazakhstan and other countries in the region.
  • The Eurasian Economic Forum is held in October in Almaty. This forum brings together business leaders from around the world to discuss economic development in the region.
  • The International Film Festival of Kazakhstan is held in October in Almaty. This festival showcases films from Kazakhstan and other countries in the region.

Kazakhstan in November

Weather

November in Kazakhstan is generally cold, with temperatures ranging from -5 to 5 degrees Celsius. Snow is common in the northern and eastern parts of the country.

Events

  • International Students’ Day is celebrated on November 17th. This day is dedicated to the recognition of the rights of students all over the world.
  • The Day of the First President of Kazakhstan is celebrated on November 30th. This holiday marks the day of the first election of the President of Kazakhstan in 1991.
  • The Day of the Constitution of Kazakhstan is celebrated on November 28th. This day marks the adoption of the Constitution of Kazakhstan in 1995.
  • The Day of the Capital City of Kazakhstan is celebrated on November 18th. This holiday marks the day of the transfer of the capital of Kazakhstan from Almaty to Astana in 1997.
  • The Day of the Republic of Kazakhstan is celebrated on November 16th. This day marks the day of the proclamation of the Republic of Kazakhstan in 1991.

Kazakhstan in December

Weather

December in Kazakhstan is usually cold and dry, with temperatures ranging from -10 to -20 degrees Celsius. Snowfall is common, and the days are short, with only 7-8 hours of daylight.

Events

  • The 6th of December is Constitution Day, which commemorates the adoption of the first Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan in 1995.
  • On the 16th of December, Kazakhstan celebrates Independence Day, which marks the official declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
  • The New Year’s Eve celebrations are a highlight of the month, with many people gathering in the main squares of cities across the country to watch fireworks and celebrate the start of the new year.
  • The Winter Solstice is celebrated in December, and is a time for people to come together and celebrate the longest night of the year.
  • December is a popular time for winter sports in Kazakhstan, with skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating all popular activities.

Need help?