Cultural Festivals and Celebrations in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is home to a wide range of traditional festivals celebrated throughout the year. These events reflect the country’s customs, music, food, and regional traditions. From the Novruz festival to the Guba Apple Festival, travellers can experience local culture at its most authentic form. An Azerbaijan eVisa is required before travel. Read the blog for all the details.

Religious Festivals

The religious festivals in Azerbaijan are deeply rooted in the country's history and traditions, and provide an opportunity for people to connect with their faith and community.

1. Novruz

Novruz is one of the most important festivals in Azerbaijan and marks the beginning of the traditional New Year. Celebrated on the spring equinox, usually around 20 March, it symbolises renewal and the arrival of spring.

Traditional customs include lighting bonfires, planting trees, and preparing seasonal sweets. Families and friends gather to share meals and take part in public celebrations, making Novruz a widely observed cultural event across the country.

2. Ramadan

Ramadan is a holy month in the Islamic calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn until dusk. It is a time for spiritual reflection, and Muslims are encouraged to perform good deeds and help those in need.

Ramadan concludes with families and friends gathering to share a festive meal, and gifts are exchanged as part of the celebration.

3. Eid al-Fitr

The festival marking the end of Ramadan is celebrated with prayers, feasting, and gift-giving. Families and friends gather to share meals and exchange gifts.

4. Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha is an important religious festival in Azerbaijan. It is celebrated on the 10th day of the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah and commemorates the sacrifice of Abraham, who was willing to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, as a test of faith.

Muslims perform animal sacrifice during Eid al-Adha, and the meat is distributed to the poor and needy. Families and friends also gather to share meals and celebrate the festival together.

Cultural Festivals

Azerbaijan, a country rich in cultural heritage, hosts cultural festivals throughout the year. These festivals showcase the country’s traditions, music, art, and cuisine, offering visitors memorable cultural experiences.

• Baku International Jazz Festival

  The Baku International Jazz Festival attracts world-renowned jazz musicians to celebrate music and rhythm. The festival includes concerts, workshops, and jam sessions, showcasing jazz talent from around the world.

• Gabala Music Festival

  The Gabala Music Festival is a renowned event featuring classical,chamber, and jazz music, along with an international competition for young pianists. It is held in the town of Gabala, set against a backdrop of natural scenery.

• Pomegranate Festival

  The Pomegranate Festival celebrates the pomegranate, a symbol of Azerbaijan, through exhibitions, ceremonies, competitions, and pomegranate-based products. It is held in Goychay, a region known for pomegranate production, and includes traditional music, dance, and crafts.

• Apple Festival

  The Apple Festival is held in Guba and showcases a variety of apple types, along with competitions and apple-based products. The festival highlights Guba’s agricultural heritage and attracts visitors from across Azerbaijan.

• Gara Garayev International Music Festival

  The Gara Garayev International Music Festival honours the Azerbaijani composer Gara Garayev through classical music performances and related events. The festival includes concerts, workshops, and lectures and attracts classical music audiences.

• Uzeyir Hajibeyov International Music Festival

  A celebration of the life and work of Uzeyir Hajibeyov, the father of Azerbaijani classical music. The festival features performances of Hajibeyov's operas and works by other Azerbaijani composers.

• Mugham World International Music Festival

  This festival showcases traditional Azerbaijani music, mugham, and features performances by young musicians. Mugham is a complex vocal art form that combines elements of singing, poetry, and improvisation.

• Dreamfest Baku

  The event will deliver a mix of gala performances, tributes, and nostalgic dance nights, featuring renowned artists from Azerbaijan and abroad. The festival will draw thousands of fans with its vibrant atmosphere and star-studded programme.

• Maiden Tower International Art Festival

  This festival promotes the Maiden Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with art exhibitions, music, dance, and traditional crafts. The festival showcases the creativity and talent of Azerbaijani and international artists.

• Hazelnut Festival

  A celebration of Azerbaijan’s hazelnut industry in Zaqatala, the festival features hazelnut products alongside cultural events. Visitors can explore themed displays featuring decorated hazelnut baskets (huncha), handicrafts, and locally made items, as well as take part in traditional games that showcase regional skills and community participation.

Other Festivals

• Grape and Wine Festival

  The Grape Harvest Festival in Ismayilli is held at the end of the grape-growing season. Visitors can take part in grape picking, crush grapes in oak barrels, and enjoy music, wine, and local food.

• International Animation Festival ANIMAFILM

  The ANIMAFILM festival promotes creativity through animated cinema. Since 2018, it has been held annually, bringing together children, young people, animation directors, and studios. The festival connects participants with local and international animation professionals, screens animated films, and hosts masterclasses, conferences, concerts, performances, and exhibitions.

• Kata Festival

  The Kata Festival, held annually in Nakhchivan, is a testament to the region's rich culinary traditions. The centrepiece of the festival is the kata, a flatbread filled with a variety of greens, including shomu (wild spinach), desert candle, pumpkin, asphodel, nettle, bean, or lentil. This unique dish is wrapped in the shape of an envelope and cooked in a tandir, a traditional clay oven.

• Persimmon Festival

  The Persimmon Festival, held annually in Balakan, highlights the region's abundance of this delicious fruit. In October-November, when persimmons are at peak ripeness, the festival showcases a variety of persimmon cultivars, persimmon-based culinary products, and innovative dishes featuring this versatile fruit.

Dates and specific details for these festivals may vary. Please check with local tourism boards or event organisers for the most up-to-date information.

Disclaimer: The information on traditional festivals and celebrations in Azerbaijan was last updated in January 2026. Festival dates, customs, and events may change over time. For the latest updates and details, please check official event websites or contact local cultural offices or embassies. Always confirm schedules and any potential changes before making travel plans.