The last weekend of August was the busiest in Almaty, as the city bid farewell to summer 2026 with a series of parties and festivals, reports infohub.kz.
On August 29, the final party of the jubilee, tenth season of the Elevation project took place at Aktas. Guests were treated to performances by German producer Marc Romboy, the duo Simple Symmetry, and Serbian DJ Kristijan Molnar. This open-air event marked the end of a season that gathered electronic music fans in the mountains of Almaty all summer long.
The same day, Spekto Open Air was held in Oi-Qaragai, where renowned representatives of the electronic scene — PAN-POT, KAS, and Toto Chiavetta — shared the stage. They were joined by Kazakh artists Akkujava b2b Midclassgypsy, Nazira b2b E.T., Branko & Kai, and others.
Outside the city, in Konaev, from August 28 to 30, Family Rock Fest took place, bringing together rock music fans.
The summer house season was closed by the VIHOD: Last Summer Dance party, held on August 28 on the grounds of Kazakhfilm. Two stages operated for guests throughout the night. The main artist of the evening was singer Ayau, who performed together with DJ SLEEPYTALK, blending live vocals with electronic music. The lineup also included Korean DJ CO.KR, a member of the Gudu Records label.
On the last weekend of August, the Qyzqaras Film Festival concluded, which ran in Almaty from August 20 to 30. During the festival, 21 feature films were screened, including five directed by women from Central Asia. The program also included short films, lectures, and discussions. After the festival, guests headed to an afterparty at Atelier, where they continued the evening with music.
All these events are part of a thriving creative industry. Major events attract visitors to Almaty from other cities and countries. They book hotels, dine at restaurants, use taxis, and spend money in the city, contributing to the local economy. For Almaty residents, concerts and parties are another reason to meet friends and have a good time.
Summer is over, but party lovers won't have to wait long. Ahead are themed Halloween parties, autumn festivals, and the first gatherings where you'll need to wear a jacket.