Astana turns 27: Kazakhstan celebrates Capital Day
The holiday, known as Capital Day, has been observed since 1998, when the city - formerly called Akmola - was officially renamed Astana. The decision to move the capital from Almaty was made four years earlier, on July 6, 1994.
Astana has grown rapidly over the past few decades. In the early 2000s, it was home to around 380,000 people. As of June 1, 2025, the city’s population surpassed 1.56 million.
In late 2022, a new district called Nura was established, joining the existing districts of Almaty, Baikonur, Yesil, and Saryarka. Plans are underway to reorganize the Almaty district and create a sixth district named Sarayshyk.
This year, Capital Day falls on a Sunday, giving citizens on a five-day workweek a three-day weekend from July 5 to 7, with Monday designated a non-working holiday.
The celebration will culminate in a festive Open Air concert in the evening, featuring some of Kazakhstan’s biggest music stars, including Kazybek Kurayish, the legendary Dos-Mukasan, 6elucci, Zhanar Dugalova, Ali Okapov, Limba, Atilla, Aro, Zhubanysh Zheksen, Nazima, Ilkhan, and Turar.
Later at 11:00 p.m., a fireworks show will light up the sky above the Botanical Garden, immediately following the concert.
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To ensure safety and convenience, city officials have introduced temporary traffic restrictions around Astana Arena, particularly near the Alau Ice Palace and Saryarka velodrome, where crowds are expected to gather for the concert.
The day is not only a celebration of urban growth, but also a reminder of Astana’s role as the political and cultural heart of Kazakhstan.