Flaunting a wide range of natural wonders, Kazakhstan is a country that allow you to indulge in a scenic heritage experience. The Central Asian country of Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world and is located at an equal distance from the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans. Bordered by the surrounding countries of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, China, and Russia, Kazakhstan is a mix of scorching deserts, freezing tundra scapes, alpine meadows and endless steppe. If you are wondering, “Do they celebrate Christmas in Kazakhstan?” we have all the answers for you! Read on to find out more about this scenic land.
About Kazakhstan
A country that is majorly Muslim, Kazakhstan does not have very large-scale Christmas celebrations. Still, the country celebrates New Years with as much zeal as the Western countries celebrate Christmas. Kazakhstan doesn’t celebrate Christmas on December 25 but on January 7 every year. Usually, December 25 is not a public holiday for people in Kazakh. You would find people going about their regular chores on December 25, a day celebrated as Christmas in the West. Almost every year, Christmas in Kazakhstan is snow-laden as the country receives lots of snowfall for four continuous months during winter.
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Best Time To Visit Kazakhstan
The best time to visit Kazakhstan is from March to January, as the weather is pretty amazing during these months. However, it is also snowy in the winter months, so make sure you carry enough warm clothes, as the country becomes freezing cold in the winter months.
Christmas, the most beautiful time of the year, is celebrated very differently in Kazakhstan than in other countries, especially the West. Visiting Kazakhstan towards the end of December will allow you to experience Kazakh culture and traditions through their celebration of New Year and Christmas, something you will not experience in any other country.
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Christmas In Kazakhstan: Best Things To Do
To enjoy a soothing and hassle-free holiday, take a look at these best things to do around the country and explore the must-visit places like never before!
1. Astana
The capital city of Kazakhstan, Astana is almost always covered in a blanket of snow during winters. As December begins, the city gets coated in snow and starts preparing for Christmas. The Kazakhs celebrate New Year with as much fervor as the West celebrates Christmas. People start bringing out their New Year trees, New Year fairies, snowmen and the Kazakh Santa Claus or Snow Father as they call it in Kazakhstan.
You can also visit the Churches in Astana and attend a Church service after which you can eat a traditional meal with your friends and fellow Church-goers. When you walk by the streets of Astana around New Years and Christmas, you will see Snow Father, fondly addressed as Ayaz Ata by the Kazakhs being is accompanied by a younger snow maiden making people dance with joy. Don’t forget to take some pictures with them, capturing your memories of Christmas in Kazakhstan in a frame.
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2. Orthodox Christmas
The concept of celebrating Orthodox Christmas in Kazakhstan is as old as the human race itself. Orthodox Christmas is celebrated on January 7, every year to commemorate the birth of Lord Jesus by most Orthodox Christians residing in Kazakhstan. You might wonder why they celebrate Orthodox Christmas on January 7 when the real Christmas celebrations are supposed to be held on December 24 and 25. The reason for celebrating Orthodox Christmas on January 7 is that this date refers to the date of Christmas celebration according to the Julian calendar that the Orthodox have been using for over a thousand years now, while the rest of the world moved on to the Gregorian Calendar which marks the Christmas date as December 25.
Orthodox Christmas celebrations in Kazakhstan usually start off with a forty day Lent. During these forty days, practicing Christians abstain from consuming any meat. The end of Lent is marked on January 6 with the first star in the sky symbolizing the birth of Jesus. Christmas Day, celebrated on January 7 in Kazakhstan, is also known as Old Christmas Day. Orthodox Christians do not believe too much in the gifting tradition, as compared to the Western Christmas-gifting culture.
3. Christmas Traditions
White cloth is used on dinner tables to symbolize the cloth that Baby Jesus was wrapped in when He was born, a lot of Kazakhs also put candles on the dining tables as symbols of light that mark the birth of Jesus Christ. A lot of people also decorate their dining tables with straw to depict the simplicity of the place where Jesus Christ was born. This is surely something you cannot afford to miss out on. So, while you’re planning your Christmas here, make sure you get to celebrate it like the locals.
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4. Christmas Feast
After a long fast that is held before Christmas, families come together to enjoy an elaborate Christmas meal, which includes meats and lots of sweet treats in the form of pastries. Christmas tables in Kazakhstan are full of chocolates, fruits, nuts, Barak (similar to Western doughnuts), salads and a traditional dish called plov, which consists of rice, beef and carrots that are seasoned in cumin. A lot of restaurants in Kazakhstan also organize special Christmas feasts and brunches where you can choose from whole roasted pork and turkey while you sip on some fine wine. You can enjoy some warm waffles, moist cakes and pastries for dessert.
Christmas In Kazakhstan: Local Traditions
To celebrate New Year and Christmas in Kazakhstan, young children usually recite poems and carols that are translated into Kazakh and Russian from English.
When Kazakhstan was a part of USSR, as a part of their policies, all the religions were banned and so, the then Government made New Year celebrations very important in the member countries. It is because of this USSR tradition that New Years is still given so much importance in Kazakhstan even today.
As you might have already gathered, Kazakhstan celebrates Christmas after New Years that is, on January 7. Usually, all Kazakhs have a one week holiday after New Years. Christmas Day in Kazakhstan is a public holiday where all the Kazakhs come together to celebrate Christmas.
Related Post: Kazakhstan Travel Tips
How To Reach Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is very well connected to major world countries and you can conveniently reach the country by flight. The Almaty Airport and Astana Airport are directly connected to Asia, Central Asia, Europe, and the Gulf States. Here is a guide on how to reach Kazakhstan hassle-free.
By Air
There are a great connectivity of airlines from India to Kazakhstan. It will take around 18 hours 5 minutes to reach here via plane.
By Train
There are also train routes available from Russia, China and other Asian countries that are well-connected to Kazakhstan.
By Sea
Although rare, you can take a ferry from Baku, Azerbaijan, across the Caspian Sea to the port of Aktau in western Kazakhstan. This is mainly for adventurous travellers or those looking for a unique route.
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So, what are you waiting for? Let your Christmas be a mesmerising one in Kazakhstan. Packed with countless attractions and sparkling nightlife, there is so much to experience during Christmas in Kazakhstan. Pack your bags and plan your trip to Kazakhstan to enjoy a glorious Christmas on your next vacation in the gorgeous country! This trip will surely add an extraordinary experience in your travel diaries.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas In Kazakhstan
How does Kazakhstan celebrate Christmas?
Kazakhstan celebrates Christmas with a great zeal and here you can witness many amazing events and parties.
What language is spoken in Kazakhstan?
Kazakh is the national language of Kazakhstan.
What are the top places to visit in Kazakhstan?
Some of the top places to visit in Kazakhstan are Almaty, Astana, Mausoleum of KOJA Ahmed yasawi and Shymbulak.
What are the best things to do in Kazakhstan?
Here are the top things to do in Kazakhstan: 1. Singing Dunes in Altyn Emel National Park 2. Burabay Tour 3. Visit Baikonur 4. Kolsai lakes
How is the weather in Kazakhstan during the Christmas holidays?
You can experience cold temperatures, snow, and low humidity during the Christmas holidays in Kazakhstan.
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