Alisher Navoi Opera & Ballet Theatre
Tashkent
Tashkent's main opera and ballet theatre is worth a visit as much for its impressive interior as its fine opera and ballet performances. Verdi and Puccini…
Must-see entertainment in Central Asia
Tashkent
Tashkent’s main cultural highlight is this progressive theatre, whose productions often touch on gay themes and racial subjects, to consternation of the…
Dushanbe
Built in 1942, this fine Opera House was completely refitted in 2009 and the gardens re-landscaped in 2013. It attracts quality international and local…
Bishkek
Classical and local productions are staged in this elegant building, usually starting at 5pm Friday to Sunday, autumn to spring. Check the billboards…
Bishkek
This smart exhibition space hosts a wide variety of events and rotating exhibits, and the Georgian restaurant on the second-floor terrace makes a great…
Bishkek
Features Western and Kyrgyz orchestral works and the occasional Kyrgyz song-and-dance performance. The kassa (ticket office) is on the west side.
Abay State Opera & Ballet Theatre
Almaty
Almaty’s top cultural venue stages three or four performances a week at 5pm or 6.30pm. Some get sold out a week or more ahead. Popular favourites such as…
Dushanbe
Every evening the small square opposite the Ayni Opera & Ballet Theatre comes alive with a throng of Dushanbe citizens and visitors, drawn to the breeze…
Bishkek
On national holidays, this stadium is the venue for competitions of national sports such as at chabysh (horse race over 20km to 30km), ulak-tartysh …
Tashkent
Local soccer matches are held at the Pakhtakor Stadium, in the central park between Uzbekistan and Navoi. Tickets can be bought directly from the stadium…
Nur-Sultan (Astana)
This turquoise-tiled concert hall, designed by Italian architects Manfredi and Luca Nicoletti, has a swirling, circular design intended to evoke the…
Nur-Sultan (Astana)
Nur-Sultan's gleaming Opera House stages excellent performances by global opera and ballet companies, as well as Universal Ballet, chamber-orchestra…
Kazakhstan
Elvis is a fun place to listen to live rock and roll, jazz or blues (nightly from 10pm), drink some beer and eat good food – especially in the open air in…
Tashkent
Chamber concerts and Uzbek and Western vocal and instrumental recitals in an impressive edifice. Entrance is around the back.
Tashkent
This modern stadium generally hosts Tashkent's most important soccer games, and is home to local heroes Bunyodkor FC.
Bukhara
The Nadir Divanbegi Medressa is host most evenings to an hour-long fashion show of Uzbek designs, accompanied by live traditional music. It's not the most…
Fashion & Traditional Dance Show
Khiva
This rather touristy music and dance show takes place in the Allakuli Khan Medressa nightly in the high season, normally around 6pm. Book tickets through…
Dushanbe
Hosting occasional Tajik music concerts, this concert hall forms a distinctive landmark across Lake Konsomol. At the time of writing it was apparently…
Bishkek
On the east side of Panfilov Park, this is the place for popular Kyrgyz-language works (more often than not written by Chinghiz Aitmatov, Kyrgyzstan’s…
Almaty
Horse races and occasionally kokpar, take place several kilometres north of the centre. Get someone to call ahead and see what’s on.
Bishkek
Open to the public for occasional performances. Consult local event-listing websites for schedules.
Academic Russian Drama Theatre
Tashkent
Classical Russian and Western drama as well as some more modern pieces, all performed in Russian.
Ashgabat
While Turkmen productions flourish, the Russian Theatre is dying a slow death. No longer supported by the government, the once-proud Pushkin Russian Drama…
Ashgabat
Ashgabat offers some excellent venues for watching musical and dramatic productions centred on Turkmen folklore and traditional music. The best place to…
Ashgabat
For Turkmen musical performances, visit the Magtymguly Theatre, which has shows Friday to Sunday at 19:00. It is also usually shut during the summer…
Ashgabat
The local football team is Kopet Dag, which plays at the Kopet Dag stadium. You should have no trouble picking up a ticket on match days.
