What Exactly is Navruz? Uzbekistan’s Spring Festival

On March 21st, day and night are almost equal in length—a phenomenon known as the equinox.

In Uzbekistan, this marks the celebration of Navruz, or Nowruz, which translates from Farsi as “new day.”

Dating back to Zoroastrian times (around the 6th or 7th century BC), Navruz symbolized the awakening of nature, the season of plowing fields, sowing seeds, and planting crops.

Back then, the celebration was deeply spiritual—people believed that good angels descended on the last day of winter, bringing happiness and abundance. Families gathered in clean spaces around a festive table, making heartfelt wishes for the year ahead.

Navruz: A Celebration of Spring and Renewal

Despite the passage of centuries, Navruz remains a cherished tradition across Central Asia, including Uzbekistan.

However, it wasn’t widely recognized as a national holiday until after Uzbekistan gained independence on September 1st, 1991.

Since then, the celebration has only grown in popularity. Interestingly, some Uzbeks even consider Navruz the “real” New Year, choosing to embrace it over the January 1st celebration of the Gregorian calendar.

In recent years, the Uzbek government has been generous in granting several days off for Navruz, allowing locals and visitors to enjoy an extended holiday.

The festive spirit is felt well before March 21st, as people take part in hashar—a communal labor tradition where neighbors gather to clean streets, plant trees, and restore public spaces.

For three days, Tashkent transforms into a vibrant hub of celebration. Parks, broadways, and shopping centers welcome hundred  of visitors, while traditional music, dance performances, and lively public festivals fill the city with energy.

Local brands set up stalls selling beautiful handcrafted jewelry and traditional goods, offering a chance to experience traditional Uzbek craftsmanship.

Navruz isn’t just a capital-city affair—the government actively encourages every region, city, district, and mahalla (neighborhood) to host their own sayil—a public festival featuring everything from handicraft exhibitions and food fairs to sports competitions like kurash (wrestling), cooking contests, and national dance performances.

For visitors, it’s an authentic way to experience Uzbek culture firsthand. This year, Yangi Uzbekistan Park will be the epicenter for the biggest celebrations.

The Taste of Navruz: Sumalak

No Navruz is complete without sumalak—a rich, thick dish with a texture similar to melted chocolate. Unlike chocolate, however, its key ingredient is wheat sprouts, symbolizing spring and renewal.

It is slow-cooked for almost 24 hours in a large kazan (cauldron) with flour, vegetable oil, and water.

What makes sumalak truly special is the way it’s prepared—it’s a collective effort, usually led by women, who gather around the simmering pot, singing, laughing, and making wishes as they take turns stirring the mixture with a long wooden stick.

Tradition holds that stirring sumalak while making a wish will bring good fortune. Adding to the mystique, small stones are placed at the bottom of the kazan to prevent burning—but they are also believed to carry magic.

If you happen to find one in your portion, consider yourself lucky—it’s a sign that your wish may come true!

There’s even an old Uzbek song about a man who found a sumalak stone and soon after met the love of his life.

Navruz Cuisine

Aside from sumalak, Navruz is a time to try seasonal Uzbek food such as:

•  Ko’k somsa (green somsa)

•  Chuchvara (fried dumplings)

•  Varaqi (crispy layered pastry)

•  Bichak (square-shaped baked pastry)

These vegetarian delights are not only delicious but also symbolize the freshness of spring. Families gather under one roof to cook, share stories, and cherish time together.

Navruz Celebrations in Villages

For a truly authentic Navruz experience, head to Uzbekistan’s remote kishlaks (villages).

Here, locals celebrate as one big family, organizing traditional games like kopkari (horseback competition), sport contests, and folk performances—all in a warm, communal atmosphere.

In addition to sumalak, villagers prepare halisa/halim—a nutritious dish slow-cooked with meat and grains, perfect for large gatherings.