How to spend January weekends in Astana and Almaty

Tengrinews.kz – There are only a few moments left until the New Year! We have prepared a selection of places where residents of Almaty and Astana can go on holiday weekends to recharge their batteries with an atmosphere of magic and fun.

Where to go in Astana for the New Year

The New Year celebration in Astana promises to be bright and eventful. Residents and guests of the capital will be able to enjoy a large-scale and interesting festive program.

Where will the New Year's fireworks be launched in Astana

At midnight, exactly at 12 AM, the sky above Astana will light up with a festive fireworks display, which will be launched from two points:

• Botanical Garden;
• Atyrau Bridge.

Where will the festive New Year's concert be held in Astana

New Year's concerts with the participation of Kazakhstan pop stars and creative groups will be held from 21 PM to 2 AM in different locations of the city:

• on the city square;
• at the monument "Kazakh Eli";
• on the territory of EXPO.

In addition to concerts, on the last day of the outgoing year, festive events will be held on the territory of the Palace of Schoolchildren, in the Central Park, Ataturk Park, the Industrial residential area and the Koktal Park.

Where to go ice skating and skating in Astana

The longest skating rink in the city, 290 meters long, opened in the Central Park on December 14. Entrance is free for residents and guests of Astana, and skate rental is also available from 1000 tenge per half hour. The park has a 13-meter-long slide, where you can bring your own tubes or rent them.

In addition, there are about 60 locations for winter recreation throughout Astana, including ice towns, slides, photo zones, and much more.

Photo: pexels.com

Popular locations for skating and recreation in Astana

• Triathlon Park: an ice slide and a skating rink in the style of "Game of Thrones".
• Presidential Park: two slides 20 meters long.
• EXPO: a skating rink with a capacity of up to 150 people.
• Ice Palace "Alau": a skating rink illuminated by garlands.
• Embankment of the Ishim River: snow carousels, a skating rink and ski slopes.
• Palace "Zhastar": an ice slide and a New Year's tree.
• Embankment of the Akbulak River: a huge skating rink and ice slides with illumination.

What New Year's performances and cultural events are available

• Ballet "The Nutcracker": December 30, Astana Ballet, 7 PM.
• Ballet "Cinderella": December 30 and 31, Astana Opera, 7 PM.
• New Year's circus fairy tale "Formula of Dreams": January 2 and 4, Astana Circus, 4 PM.
• Exhibition of Japanese graphics "The Secret of Fujiyama": until January 17, Has Sanat Gallery.
• Theatrical production "Ward No. 6": January 4, Sintez Theater, 7 PM.

Also, comedy evenings from January 2 to 5 will be held at Garage Music Bar. Popular comedians will read their monologues for Astana residents: Galym Kaliakbarov, Madina Baibolova, Alexey Lugovskoy, Abay Zhenesov, Aina Musina, Aset Uvaev and many others.

What sporting events will take place in Astana

• Hockey match Barys vs Lada: January 5, Barys Arena, 5 PM.
• VTB League match Astana vs CSKA: January 5, Saryarka Cycling Track, 3 PM.

Where to go in Almaty for New Year

In winter, Almaty residents and guests can expect many festive events and entertainment that will create a real holiday atmosphere.

Where will the New Year's fireworks be launched in Almaty

On the night of December 31, 2024 to January 1, 2025 at midnight, a grand fireworks display will take place on Astana Square.

Photo: pexels.com

Where will the festive New Year's concert be held in Almaty

Large-scale festive concerts are planned in different parts of the city:

• Abai Square: popular artists such as Berkut, Akbota-Nur, Gazikhan Shekerbek and others will perform from 7 PM to 9 PM on December 31;
• Astana Square: the concert will begin at 9 PM and end at 1 AM with the participation of such artists as Moldanazar and RaiM.

Also, from 3 PM to 9 PM daily on Astana Square, Abai Square and Arbat, festive Ayaz Ata yurts, decorated in national style, are open. Creative master classes, games, and meetings with New Year characters will be held here until December 31. On the last day of the outgoing year, the yurts will be open until midnight.

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And from December 20, 2024 to January 5, 2025, a New Year's fair will be held on Abay Square, where you can buy handicrafts, souvenirs and Christmas tree decorations.

On Almaty's Arbat, decorated in the style of Carnaby Street, a Christmas tree fair is held daily from December 20 to 31, as well as family games, art exhibitions and musical performances.

Where to go ice skating and sledding in Almaty

Seasonal skating rinks will delight fans of active recreation. There are 12 free ice skating rinks in Almaty. All skating rinks have skate rental points. The rental price is 1.5 thousand tenge for a two-hour session.

Rental hours:

• weekdays: from 10 AM to 10 PM;
• weekends and holidays: from 10 AM to 11 PM.

Photo: pexels.com

List of free skating rinks in Almaty:

• Abai Square, in front of the Palace of the Republic;
• Halyk Arena;
• Park named after 28 Panfilov Heroes;
• Park named after the First President;
• Square in front of the Nauryzbay Akimat;
• KBTU parking lot;
• Aviator stadium;
• Kokzhiek microdistrict;
• Gulder park;
• Almaty Arena;
• Schoolchildren's House No. 6;
• in front of the Musrepov Youth Theater.

What New Year's shows and events are available

• The Nutcracker Ballet: KazNTOB named after Abai, December 30 at 7 PM, and January 5 at 7 PM.
• "And the Magic Snow Fell..." - Sats Children's and Youth Theater, January 2 and 3: 11 AM, 1:30 PM, and January 4 at 11 AM.
• MAGIC MAN - an illusion show by the Safronov brothers: Palace of the Republic, January 4: 12 PM, 3 PM, 7 PM.
• "Puss in Boots" visiting Santa Claus - Zhas Sakhna Theater, January 2: 11 AM, 14 PM, and January 3 and 4 at 11 AM.

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• "Blue Tractor" visiting Santa Claus - Kazakh State Academic Philharmonic named after Zhambyl, January 4: 11 AM, 2 PM, 5 PM.
• Performance "Do the fish sleep?": ART-shelter BUNKER, January 4, 7 PM.
• Blackbird concert: Muzcafe, January 3, 7:30 PM.
• Qazaq Soul concert by Diana Doskhan: Muzcafe, January 4, 7 PM.
• "The best New Year's show in the country" by Murat Muturganov: Grand Park, January 2–7: 11 AM, 6:30 PM.
• Exhibition "Pop Art: Warhol, Lichtenstein and others": Lumiere-Hall, open daily.

The program will allow residents and guests of the city to enjoy theatrical performances, bright shows and cultural events for every taste.

It should be noted that January 2025 will bring Kazakhstanis a great start to the new year with a long weekend. In total, there will be 11 days off in January 2025, including holidays and regular weekends. The New Year will begin with four consecutive days off from January 1 to 4. The calendar for January can be found at the link.

If you haven't yet decided what to cook for the New Year's table, take a look at our recipes.

Read also: Where to spend New Year holidays in Kazakhstan: a winter tourism guide