Yakutia's 2026 Holiday Calendar: From Reindeer Herders to Diamond Polishers
Not just New Year«s. Yakutia also celebrates its own significant dates, which even residents of the republic sometimes haven»t heard of. For example, did you know that we have Children«s Movement Day? Or that Yakutians established their own Day of National Unity? Now you will know. For convenience, all dates are divided into several blocks: beginning, middle, and end of the year.
Beginning of the Year
January for Yakutians is marked only by New Year holidays, with no own holidays this month. But on 13 February, the first celebration is observed — the Day of Native Language and Writing, founded in 1996. The day is dedicated to the birthday of Semyon Novgorodov, the creator of the Yakut alphabet and the first textbooks in the native language.
Next comes National Health Day, celebrated since 2000 on the last Sunday of February. In its honor, events are held in the republic throughout the week to popularize a healthy lifestyle. National Health Day was founded by the first president of Yakutia, Mikhail Nikolayev.
On 5 March, folk masters celebrate their professional holiday. It was established in 2012 to preserve and develop national crafts, such as wood carving, birch bark work, and jewelry making. 17 March is declared Day of the Reindeer Herder. This celebration — one of the newest — was established in 2020. Reindeer herding professionals not only share experience at events but also compete in northern all-around: reindeer sled races, jumping over sleds, axe throwing. So Yakutian reindeer herders are famous not just for pastures. By the way, you can read a bit about the life of one of them here.
The last March holiday is also dedicated to the north — 19 March marks Arctic Day. It was founded in 2014 to support and develop Arctic regions, honor strong-spirited northerners, and demonstrate the importance of the Arctic, where cultural events take place. During events, activists and authorities discuss issues of northern territory development, construction, and science.
Every year on 21 March — it«s Day of the Horse Herder, celebrated since 2017. Horses are sacred animals for residents of Yakutia, playing an important role in the people»s life and culture. For example, March in the republic is called «kulun tutar,» which translates to «foal catching,» meaning this month begins the corresponding season in horse breeding. 14.RU published an interview with hereditary owners of two horse herds; you can read it here.
A couple of days later — 23 March — Day of Legal Knowledge is celebrated. The holiday for improving residents« legal culture was established in 2010. 2 April is appointed Day of the Civic Activist, created in honor of volunteers, public figures, and other engaged individuals in 2017.
The next April holiday — the most beloved by the male half — is Hunter«s Day, celebrated on the first Saturday of April; in 2026, the date falls on the 4th. On this day, round tables, competitions, and honors for hunters take place, as their trade is important for the region. The holiday was established in 2012.
Next comes another important holiday for men — Father«s Day, celebrated on 5 April. It was established in 1999. By the way, the all-Russian fathers» holiday was established only in 2021. After Father«s Day, sons are honored; the holiday was approved in 2017. Usually, it takes place every second Sunday of April; this year, the date falls on the 12th. Both holidays aim to strengthen family values.
27 April — the most important holiday for Yakutians — Republic Day. That very day when the Yakut Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was formed in 1922. Many official events are held, but republic residents have come up with their own, for example, in recent years, motorcades with regional flags have become popular.
Typically, owners of a certain car brand gather in a column and ceremoniously drive through the city; the reaction to such columns is consistently positive: people wave, film videos, and shout approvingly.
Middle of the Year
The most comfortable month in Yakutia — May — is marked by Day of Song, celebrated on the 21st. Also one of the newcomers in the region«s holiday series — it was established by Aisen Nikolayev in 2022. This was done to preserve the song creativity of the republic»s peoples.
A day later, on 22 May, Sayylyk Day is celebrated, meaning the long-awaited start of summer. It was established in 2018. Translated from Yakut, «sayylyk» means a summer camp for household management. On this day, Yakutian housewives traditionally cook duck soup obtained by the head of the family, fry pancakes, and hold folk festivities after the long and foggy winter.
25 May — Day of Osuokhai, another fresh holiday established in 2023. Osuokhai is the national circular dance of the Yakuts, included in the list of 100 masterpieces of Russia«s intangible heritage.
21 June is another important date for Yakutians — Ysyakh. This ancient holiday welcomes summer, the rebirth of nature, and a new life cycle. It was first mentioned by Danish merchant Evert Ides in the 17th century. In 1991, it received national holiday status. You can see how Ysyakh went in 2025 here; the spectacle is at least captivating.
On 1 July, two dates are celebrated at once: Day of National Press and Day of Combat Veterans. The first holiday is dedicated to journalists who write in their native language; it was established by Aisen Nikolayev in 2020 and dedicated this date to the release of the first Yakut newspaper «Sakha Doĭduta» (Yakut Land — Ed. note). Day of Combat Veterans was also founded just a few years ago — in 2021 by decree of Aisen Nikolayev; on this holiday, defenders of the homeland from the republic are honored.
On 2 July, Yakutians thank the great Lena River; the holiday was established in 2013 to draw attention to river preservation and develop ecological tourism.
The autumn series of holidays opens with Day of Sobriety Promotion, established in 2015. It is allocated for every second Friday of September; in 2026, the date falls on the 11th. The next day, 12 September, cycling enthusiasts celebrate their day — Day of Cycling Sport. Despite the world celebrating cyclists on 31 May, Yakutia has its own holiday, observed since 2010.
On 27 September, lone individual entrepreneurs rejoice and can hold a corporate event, as it is Entrepreneur«s Day, approved in 2001.
End of the Year
Yakutians also have their own Mother«s Day, which in 2026 falls on 18 October, as it is the third Sunday of October. The mothers» holiday was established by Mikhail Nikolayev in 1993. A few days later — 23 October — workers of the jewelry and diamond polishing industry celebrate their professional holiday. It was established by the second president of the republic, Vyacheslav Shtyrov, in 2010.
In November, there are three significant dates: 13 November — Day of Innovations, first celebrated in 2023. Aisen Nikolayev dedicated it to the first president Mikhail Nikolayev and chose the date not by chance — Nikolayev was born on this day. 26 November is dedicated to Olonkho — the Yakut heroic epic, included in the UNESCO list of masterpieces of intangible heritage. The date was established in 2006.
At the end of the month, 30 November, Yakutians celebrate Day of the Khomus — the national musical instrument. The date was established in 2011, and during celebrations, concerts, exhibitions, and other events are held.
December is not rich in any dates. So, on 5 December, Children«s Movement Day is celebrated. The holiday appeared in 2014 to support children»s leadership, initiative, and civic position. Yakutia also has its own Day of National Unity, called Day of National Cultures and celebrated since 2023 on 6 December.
