Events & Festivals in Baku

A month-long city-wide shopping event where participating malls, boutiques, and brands offer significant discounts (often 50-70%). Includes fashion shows, entertainment, and prize draws to attract visitors during the post-holiday period.

A day dedicated to performances and educational events celebrating Mugham. Concerts are held at the Mugham Center and other venues, featuring both classical pieces and modern interpretations.

The most important national holiday celebrating the Persian New Year and the arrival of spring. Expect week-long festivities with bonfires (Tonqal), traditional music, folk dances in the streets, and families visiting each other. Key rituals include jumping over fire for purification and children receiving small gifts.

A premier event attracting world-class jazz musicians and ensembles. Concerts range from traditional and smooth jazz to avant-garde and fusion, held in intimate clubs and grand concert halls across the city.

A national public holiday honoring women. Men give flowers and gifts to the women in their lives. The city is adorned with decorations, and many restaurants offer special menus. Concerts and cultural events dedicated to women are common.

Celebrates Mugam, the traditional Azerbaijani musical genre recognized by UNESCO. Features performances by master mugam singers (khanande) and instrumentalists from Azerbaijan and other mugam-tradition countries.

The holy month of fasting from dawn to dusk. Evenings come alive with special prayers (tarawih) at mosques like the Heydar Mosque. The month concludes with Eid al-Fitr, a major holiday marked by morning prayers, family visits, feasting, and charity.

One of the most dramatic races on the F1 calendar, known for its tight, high-speed street circuit winding through Baku's historic and modern districts. A weekend of high-octane action, glamorous events, and buzzing fan zones.

A major literary event attracting publishers, authors, and readers. Features book launches, author signing sessions, panel discussions, and a vast marketplace for books in Azerbaijani, Russian, and English.

Commemorates the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. Official ceremonies, laying of wreaths at the Eternal Flame monument, and parades of veterans wearing their medals are observed. A day of solemn remembrance.

Celebrates the founding of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1918. Flag-raising ceremonies, military parades, and cultural performances take place. The city is decorated with national flags.

Marks the return of Heydar Aliyev to power in 1993. Official ceremonies and cultural events are held. It is a public holiday, so many shops and offices are closed.

The Feast of Sacrifice, one of the most important Islamic holidays. Marked by special morning prayers, the ritual sacrifice of sheep, and distributing meat to family, neighbors, and the poor. It is a public holiday.

A military holiday with a parade showcasing Azerbaijan's armed forces, including modern equipment. Air shows and demonstrations are sometimes part of the celebrations. A display of national strength and patriotism.

An open-air jazz celebration featuring local and international artists. Concerts are held in relaxed, outdoor settings, perfect for warm summer evenings. The focus is on contemporary jazz and crossover styles.

A lively open-air night market operating on weekends during summer. Features food trucks serving local street food (like qutab and shawarma), live music, craft beer stalls, handmade crafts, and a active, youthful atmosphere.

A city-wide celebration of Baku's culture and diversity. Features street performances, food stalls representing different regions of Azerbaijan, craft markets, children's activities, and open-air concerts on multiple stages.

A gathering of local and international theatre companies presenting innovative performances, from classical plays to contemporary physical theatre. Workshops and discussions with directors and actors are part of the program.

Screens a curated selection of feature films, documentaries, and shorts from around the world, with a focus on East-West dialogue. Includes Q&A sessions with filmmakers and industry workshops.

An annual half-marathon and 10k race that attracts thousands of local and international runners. The route showcases Baku's iconic architecture along the Caspian seafront and city streets. A festive atmosphere with live music and cheering crowds.

Commemorates Azerbaijan's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Marked by a major military parade, fireworks over the Caspian Sea, and patriotic concerts. The city center is alive with national pride and celebration.

Showcases Azerbaijan's rich culinary heritage alongside international cuisines. Features cooking masterclasses by renowned chefs, food market stalls, wine and paxlava (traditional pastry) tastings, and live demonstrations.

Celebrates Azerbaijan's deep tea culture. Visitors can sample dozens of varieties of tea from local Lenkaran plantations and around the world, paired with traditional sweets (shekerbura, pakhlava). Includes workshops on tea ceremonies and samovar traditions.

A major platform for contemporary art from Azerbaijan, the Caucasus region, and beyond. Features exhibitions by established and emerging artists, galleries, installations, and performance art. A key event for art collectors and enthusiasts.

The city transforms into a winter wonderland with elaborate light installations, a giant New Year tree in Fountain Square, festive markets selling handicrafts and mulled wine, ice-skating rinks, and daily performances for children. Culminates in a grand fireworks display on New Year's Eve.

The largest public celebration of the year. A massive open-air concert with popular Azerbaijani and international pop stars is followed by a spectacular fireworks show launched from barges on the Caspian Sea, visible across the city.