Hi GCC blog readers, in this blog we want to talk about Christmas and New Year’s celebration in Kazakhstan. Holidays like New Year and orthodox Christmas are the most favorite holidays in Kazakhstan. We have two dates of Celebration New Year and one date to celebrate Christmas. The first date is 31 December to 1 January and the second date of New Year’s celebration is 22 March.

The main attributes of these holidays in our country are Christmas tree and Santa Claus like in the US Also another aspects are food and beverages, especially Champagne. In Kazakhstan people call Santa Clause differently. Santa Klaus in Kazakhstan knocks the door and come in with a lot of gifts for the kids.

Orthodox Christmas is celebrated by Christians that is not the majority of population. They spend a night on Christmas day in church and celebrate it at home on the next day.

Also we have New Year celebration on March 22. This date is celebrated only by Muslims. 22 March is a day of Vernal Equinox. The tradition to celebrate New Year on Vernal Equinox is common for many eastern countries. Many Muslim countries celebrate this date similarly. They cook a lot of traditional food. And spend this day at home with all members of family.

So about how people prepare for New Year. They buy a lot of things include food. First of all, people buy gifts for family and friends. Food is principal for New Year’s days. People cook a lot and also buy food in markets. Right before New Year people go outside to make fireworks. After celebrating New Year people spend a lot of time at home, they watch movies or TV and eat a lot.

Celebrating those holidays is so important part of the year for people of our country, and especially it is important to celebrate it with friends and family.

– Zarina & Sabina