Kolfest
Kolfest is an annual international music and arts festival located on Lake Issyk-Kul’s southern coastline near the village of Bokonbayevo. Kolfest portrays a similar aesthetic expressed in movements to that of Burning Man in Nevada, USA. Kolfest’s blend of Central Asian culture also provides a unique image rarely found outside of the region. Visitors can express their identity through fashion, art, music, film, and dance. Various local and foreign artists perform and display their work for people to connect with on a spiritual plane or by simply dancing the night away with new friends.
The three-day festival occurs in the summer when temperatures are suitable for vacationing in Kyrgyzstan’s popular lake region. A general admission ticket costs around $70 for unlimited entry into the festival grounds. This does not include accommodations or transportation to and from the festival. Yurt camps and private homestays scatter the area providing affordable accommodation and amenities such as wifi, outdoor restrooms and bathing facilities, and traditional Kyrgyz meals. It may seem tricky to navigate Kolfest from Bishkek. A round-trip ticket for $25 secures a seat in a private shuttle transferring festival goers between Bishkek and Kolfest.
Follow the Official Kolfest Instagram page to stay up to date with the latest details.
Pionerskiy Lagar Zorka
Adjacent to the festival is a collection of abandoned buildings. This was a small resort camp for members of the Soviet Union’s Young Pioneers. The coastline of Issyk-Kul is dotted with old Soviet sanatoriums that have been left to face the elements of the harsh winters.
A view of the Bel-Tam Yurt Camp and Kolfest from the sandy hills above.
The Rave Stage (left) and art gallery/cinema (right) are located in two industrial brick structures.
The Rave Stage
This room fills up with people dancing into the late hours of the night.
The Rave Bar (above) and the Main Bar (below). Nonalcoholic and Alcoholic drinks are purchaseable here.
The market is the main thoroughfare connecting the two sides of the festival. Visitors can load up on coffee and pastries as they peruse the tables topped with colorful ornate jewelry and custom clothing.
VISA chill zone
Relax in a bean bag overlooking the blue waters of the lake while you listen to new perspectives and opinions about life.
Yurts with fashion and makeup stations inside.
The food court provides many of the local cuisine found in Kyrgyzstan. Plov (above) is readily available for $5. Other dishes include Laghman, Manti, Ganfan, Samsa, and Shashlik.
The Chill Stage
The Chill Stage is a spiritual space with a silver ceiling that flows like the waves of the sea. Come here for a yoga session or to listen to the sounds of synth wave beats.
Visitors have the option to rent out a tent on the festival grounds. Quite the view!
Early birds waiting for the sun to appear over the snowcapped mountains surrounding the lake.