KazakhstanWe're here to help you keep count of the days to or since a date. Just click the button below and enter your chosen date to get started. Also choose the suggested days or search for a special day above #countingthedays
In Kazakhstan, as in many other countries, New Year's Day on January 1st is a public holiday. This day off is a time for rest and celebration as the country ushers in the new year. The holiday is influenced by Russian and Soviet traditions due to Kazakhstan’s history as part of the Soviet Union until its dissolution in 1991.
New Year's celebrations in Kazakhstan include festive decorations, with spruce trees adorned with ornaments and lights similar to Christmas trees in Western cultures. These are known as "New Year Trees," or "Yolka." Grandfather Frost (Ayaz Ata in Kazakh or Ded Moroz in Russian) and his granddaughter Snow Maiden (Kar Kyz or Snegurochka) are popular figures associated with the holiday, delivering presents to children.
People usually prepare lavish feasts for family gatherings, featuring traditional Kazakh dishes alongside Russian-inspired New Year’s specialties such as Olivier salad. Fireworks displays are common in major cities like Nur-Sultan (formerly Astana) and Almaty.
On New Year's Day itself, Kazakhs often enjoy a day off work to relax after the festivities of New Year's Eve. It is a time for visiting friends and relatives, exchanging gifts, and engaging in leisure activities. Public events may include concerts, games, and various entertainment designed to bring joy to communities.
Moreover, it is an opportunity for individuals to reflect on the past year and make resolutions for the forthcoming one. Many people also take advantage of the holiday period to travel domestically or abroad.