Navruz 2027 in Uzbekistan: dates, traditions and where to celebrate

Navruz is on 21 March every year. In 2027 that is a Sunday. Uzbekistan makes 21 March a public holiday, and when it falls on a weekend the government usually moves a working day so that families get a longer break. The official days off for 2027 are announced in the first months of the year; we will update this post when they are.

Celebrations start before the day itself. Schools, offices and neighbourhoods hold their own events in the week leading up to 21 March, so travelling any time between about 15 and 25 March puts you in the middle of it.

Navruz means "new day". It marks the spring equinox and the start of the new year in the old Persian calendar, and it is far older than any of the religions of the region. In Uzbekistan it is a family holiday first: people clean their homes, visit relatives, forgive old quarrels and cook enormous meals.

The symbol of Navruz is sumalak, a sweet, dark brown paste made from sprouted wheat. It is cooked in a huge cauldron for most of a night, stirred in turn by the women of the neighbourhood, who sing and make wishes as they stir. Small stones are put at the bottom of the pot to stop it burning; finding one in your bowl is said to bring luck.

You will also find halim (wheat and meat porridge), ko'k somsa (pastries filled with the first spring greens) and, of course, plov. If you are invited to taste sumalak, accept: it is a gesture of welcome.

• Samarkand and Bukhara: concerts, folk dancing and craft fairs in the old squares, and the most visitors.
• Khiva: celebrations inside the walls of Itchan Kala, with music, wrestling and traditional games on a smaller, more local scale. See our Khiva guide.
• Villages and mahallas (neighbourhoods): the most authentic Navruz is the one in someone's courtyard. A good local guide can often arrange a visit to a family cooking sumalak.

Other Navruz traditions you may see are kupkari (the horseback game known elsewhere as buzkashi) in the countryside, wrestling, swings and tightrope walkers. See all the spring festivals on our festivals calendar.

• Book early. Navruz week is one of the busiest of the spring. Fast trains between Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara and the best hotels fill up. See our guide to trains in Uzbekistan.
• Expect closures on the day itself. Some museums, banks and offices close on 21 March and the official days off; monuments and restaurants are usually open.
• Weather: late March is spring. Days are mild and pleasant in Samarkand and Bukhara and cooler in Khiva; nights are still cold, so bring a warm layer.
• Ramadan in 2027 is expected to end around 9–10 March, before Navruz, so restaurants will be working normally.

Navruz is a joyful and welcoming holiday and visitors are very welcome to join in. Ask before photographing people, especially women and families at home. If you are invited into a home, bring a small gift (sweets, fruit or something from your country), take off your shoes at the door and accept at least a cup of tea. More in our etiquette guide.