Must-see entertainment in Central Asia

  • Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre.

    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…

  • Ilkhom Theatre

    Tashkent

    Tashkent’s main cultural highlight is this progressive theatre, whose productions often touch on gay themes and racial subjects, to consternation of the…

  • Ayni Opera & Ballet Theatre

    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…

  • Copyright Stephen Lioy - Photography and Travel Media

    State Opera & Ballet Theatre

    Bishkek

    Classical and local productions are staged in this elegant building, usually starting at 5pm Friday to Sunday, autumn to spring. Check the billboards…

  • Copyright Stephen Lioy - Photography and Travel Media

    Asanbay Center

    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…

  • Copyright Stephen Lioy - Photography and Travel Media

    Philharmonia

    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…

  • Musical Fountains

    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…

  • Ak-Kula Hippodrome

    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 …

  • Pakhtakor Stadium

    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…

  • Central Concert Hall

    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 Opera House

    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…

  • Elvis

    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 State Conservatory

    Tashkent

    Chamber concerts and Uzbek and Western vocal and instrumental recitals in an impressive edifice. Entrance is around the back.

  • Bunyodkor Stadium

    Tashkent

    This modern stadium generally hosts Tashkent's most important soccer games, and is home to local heroes Bunyodkor FC.

  • Circus

    Tashkent

    This popular kiddie diversion of clowns, jugglers and stuntmen sells out quickly.

  • Nadir Divanbegi Fashion Show

    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…

  • Borbat Concert Hall

    Dushanbe

    Hosting occasional Tajik music concerts, this concert hall forms a distinctive landmark across Lake Konsomol. At the time of writing it was apparently…

  • Kyrgyz National Drama Theatre

    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…

  • Hippodrome

    Almaty

    Horse races and occasionally kokpar, take place several kilometres north of the centre. Get someone to call ahead and see what’s on.

  • Pushkin Russian Drama Theatre

    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…

  • Mollanepes Drama Theatre

    Ashgabat

    Ashgabat offers some excellent venues for watching musical and dramatic productions centred on Turkmen folklore and traditional music. The best place to…

  • Magtymguly Theatre

    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…

  • Kopet Dag Stadium

    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.