New Year’s Eve is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated holidays of the year. It is that day of the year, when we spend time with our family and friends. If you stay in Central Asia, then here is a list of must visit places you need to spend 2024 New Years Eve in style.
KAZAKHSTAN
Nauryz is the official New Year’s Day in Kazakhstan. For Kazaks, Nauryz is a very important holiday. Nauryz marks the official beginning of a new year. The celebrations start on the 21st of March, which is the day of Spring Equinox. During the holiday of Nauryz, villages, small and large cities become centers of celebrations.
The whole village transforms itself and it comes alive with lights and flowers. Traditional nomad houses which are known as Yurts, are erected at popular city centers and rich dastarkhan tables are laid in each of them. Tempting dishes are served during Nauryz, the most delicious one being Nauryz Kohe. The dish is provided to all citizens of the city, either rich or poor.
KYRGYZSTAN
In Kyrgyzstan, New Year is celebrated on the 21st of March of each year, which marks the beginning of the spring equinox. New Year’s Eve in Kyrgyzstan is known as Nooruz. On the day of Nooruz, flutes and musical instruments start playing early in the morning. Every house has a variety of foods served at tables covered in a white cloth.
A traditional party called Sumolok is arranged at every house which is accompanied with traditional dance and music. This is done to ensure that all the guests are entertained and secondly to guarantee that the food tastes good with all the positive energy from the cooks. All around the city theater performances and horse races are arranged for the people to enjoy.
TURKMENISTAN
The celebrations for New Year’s Eve in Turkmenistan start from 23rd of December, which starts with the lighting of the New Year’s tree at the center of the capital city of Ashgabat. The authorities arrange a fancy-dress competition along with a variety of circus performances. The main center located in the capital city of Ashgabat is named Alem. The government arranges a variety of shows in and around the city during the official week titled, “Happy New Year to our country”.
The celebration on the 30th of December starts from six o’clock in the afternoon and continues till the wee hours of the next morning. All the citizens have the chance of participating in these events. The celebration is in the form of open-air performances held at the center of the capital city. Learn further about Ashgabat NYE here.
UZBEKISTAN
The holiday of New Year’s Eve in Uzbekistan is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year. Usually, snow falls on the day of New Year’s Eve and this makes the holiday livelier and more enjoyable. Children and grown-ups come out of their houses and start playing in the snow by making snow mans and throwing snowballs at each other.
New Year’s Eve is celebrated with much glamour at the heart of the capital city. A brightly lit tree is kept at the city center and young people gather from all around the city to enjoy the chimes of the Tashkent chiming clock. On the 1st day of the year, theater performances are held all around the city and cafes and restaurants offer attractive discounts to their customers.
If you are in Central Asia this New Year’s Eve, visit the above places to spend the day in style and glamour.