Celebration of Capital Day in Kazakhstan marking its 27th anniversary in Astana.
Astana, Kazakhstan, is gearing up for a grand celebration as the city prepares to commemorate its 27th anniversary as the capital and National Dombra Day. The three-day event, running from July 5th to 7th, promises a vibrant mix of culture, music, sports, and urban development.
The festivities kick off with the IV International Puppet Theater Festival "Құралай" from June 30 to July 4, showcasing global puppet troupes and positioning Astana as a cultural hub. On July 5th and 6th, the city will transform into an open-air theater with street performances and a unique performance titled "Армандар орындалады", honouring professionals such as teachers, doctors, and builders for their societal contributions.
The main celebration on July 6th will feature the Jastar Energy youth concert and the "Capital Battle" dance competition, highlighting the role of creative industries in the capital's life. The evening will culminate in a series of large-scale concerts and a spectacular fireworks display, scheduled to start at 11:00 PM from the Botanic Garden area. The fireworks are part of the celebrations for Kazakhstan's Capital Day and will follow the conclusion of the Open Air concert featuring renowned Kazakhstani music stars such as Kazbek Kuraiysh, Dос-Mukasan, 6elucci, Zhana Dugalova, Ali Okapov, Limba, Atilla, Aro, Zhubanysh Zheksen, Nazima, Ilkhan, and Turar.
To ensure the safety and convenience of guests, traffic restrictions will be enforced in the area around the Astana Arena stadium during the concert.
New public spaces will be inaugurated during the celebrations, symbolising the city’s growth and development. The week will conclude on July 8 with the awarding ceremony of the republican contest "Мерейлі отбасы" in an amphitheater, celebrating family, work, culture, and traditions as the foundational values of Astana.
The 2025 celebration is particularly symbolic as it coincides with National Dombra Day, which honours Kazakhstan's cultural heritage. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasised this dual celebration, highlighting the dombra as a cultural emblem and Astana as a symbol of Kazakhstan's modern achievements and future aspirations.
As of the current city structure, Astana has six districts: Almaty, Baikonur, Yesil, Nur, Sararkha, and the newly added district, Nur. The Almaty district is planned to be reorganized into a new district called Sarayshik in the near future.
Astana, now known as Nur-Sultan, has seen significant population growth since the early 2000s, with over 1.56 million residents as of June 1, 2025. The decision to relocate the capital from Almaty to Astana was made on July 6, 1994.
This year's Astana Capital Day celebrations reflect a festive atmosphere and the strategic development of Astana as a socially cohesive, culturally vibrant capital. [1][2][3]
[1] Astana.gov.kz. (2025). Astana Capital Day 2025. [online] Available at: https://www.astana.gov.kz/ru/news/astana-capital-day-2025
[2] Kapital.kz. (2025). Astana Capital Day 2025: Concerts, Fireworks, and Urban Development. [online] Available at: https://kapital.kz/news/2025/06/30/astana-capital-day-2025-koncerty-pyrotechnics-i-razvitie-goroda
[3] Tengrinews.kz. (2025). Astana Capital Day 2025: A Three-Day Weekend of Celebrations and Cultural Embracement. [online] Available at: https://tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/astana-capital-day-2025-three-day-weekend-celebrations-and-cultural-embracement-1145700/
The celebration in Astana, Kazakhstan, on July 6th will feature political events such as the Jastar Energy youth concert and the "Capital Battle" dance competition, emphasizing the role of creative industries in the capital's life and politics. The event also encompasses general-news topics like urban development, as new public spaces will be inaugurated during the celebrations, symbolizing the city’s growth and development.
