Are you considering a visit to Armenia during the autumn season? Would you like your trip to be filled with exciting experiences, unforgettable encounters, and lasting memories? If so, don’t miss the chance to spend your days in Armenia during this beautiful season.
Autumn in capital city Yerevan and several other regions offers pleasant and sunny weather, bountiful harvests, and colorful nature. Memorable festivals from one another take place during this time, guaranteeing you a series of new and exciting experiences, unforgettable encounters, and heartfelt emotions.
If you have a desire to immerse yourself in the world of music, indulge in culinary delights, or explore the flavours of Armenian brandy and wine, we highly recommend attending Armenian festivals. These festivals are not limited to Yerevan alone, but also take place in other major cities, charming villages, and picturesque corners throughout the country.
Armenian festivals are celebrated as double holidays for people of all ages. During these festivals, both young and old come together to enjoy themselves, have a great time, savour delicious dishes, and witness fascinating innovations. In Armenia, you can participate in various festivals throughout the year, including barbecue or dolma festivals, honey or fruit festivals, and many more. In 2023, more than 30 different events are scheduled to take place in Armenia. Let’s explore some of the autumn festivals that will be held in Armenia.
Wine and Culture
This gastronomic festival takes place on September 2 in the city of Ashtarak, located in the Aragatsotn region of Armenia. Set against the foot of the majestic Aragats mountain, this festival brings together the finest winemakers from across the country, showcasing their exclusive and innovative products while offering visitors the chance to taste a variety of wines. This event provides a wonderful opportunity for tourists to indulge in traditional Armenian cuisine, immerse themselves in the vibrant sounds of Armenian music, and witness captivating performances by Armenian national dance groups.
“Cyberfest” international media art festival
During this second edition of an innovative festival in Armenia, over 60 specialists from various artistic fields and representatives of the scientific community come together. These include artists, theorists, programmers, media activists, and engineers. The 15th edition of the “Cyberfest” exhibition will take place from September 2 to 18 at three locations in Yerevan: the “HayArt” cultural center, Institute of Contemporary Arts, and Yerevan Botanical Garden. Within the festival, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the modern world, explore the advancements in robotics, and discover artworks created using information technologies.
Cultural Renaissance
On September 9th, the annual Pan-Armenian Festival of Arts and Crafts takes place in the scenic town of Dilijan, located in the Tavush region. This festival offers a wonderful opportunity for visitors to explore the creations of talented blacksmiths, potters, and woodworkers. Guests can also participate in master classes led by renowned Armenian chefs and enjoy captivating performances by dance groups and singers. With a wide range of activities available, there is something for everyone to enjoy at this festival.
Yerevan Night Music Festival
The name itself encapsulates the essence of the event. On September 9, music enthusiasts congregate at Charles Aznavour Square in the heart of Yerevan to indulge in performances by top-notch artists and revel in a diverse range of musical styles and genres. The city comes alive on this day as music resonates from the surrounding restaurants and cafes.
Harvest Festival: Rural Life and Traditions
The Harvest Festival will take place on September 16-17 in the village of Dzoraghbyur, located in the Kotayk region. This year marks its 10th anniversary. This festival offers you the opportunity to actively participate in the presentation of agricultural products from various companies and farmers across Armenia. Additionally, a friendly competition will be held among the participating farmers, with a prize awarded to the winner. Against the backdrop of live national music, guests can indulge in the flavours of fruits and vegetables sourced from different regions of Armenia.
Armenian gata is a traditional national sweet pastry that is filled with melted butter and sugar (choriz), sometimes accompanied by nuts and dried fruits. For the past 10 years, a festival dedicated to this pastry masterpiece has been held in the village of Khachik, located in the Vayots Dzor region. This year, the festival is scheduled to take place at the end of September. By attending this festival, you will have the opportunity to not only taste the traditional gata, but also sample various Armenian dishes, dried fruits, and jams. As part of the festival’s tradition, a gigantic gata is prepared each year. For instance, in 2017, the main gata had a diameter of 4 meters, and in 2019, it expanded to 4 and a half meters. It will be fascinating to see how the experienced pastry chefs will surprise us this time.
Ballon Festival
Are you interested in soaring above the clouds, observing the world from a bird’s-eye view, and experiencing an adrenaline rush? If so, the International Aviation Festival, scheduled to take place in Yerevan from October 14 to 18, 2023, is the perfect event for you. Over 20 balloons from both Armenia and other countries will simultaneously grace the sky. Whether or not you have the courage to take flight yourself, witnessing this spectacle is an absolute must.
Pumpkin Festival
In numerous countries, dithyrambs are sung in praise of this vibrant orange fruit. If you visit Hovk village in the Tavush region at the end of October, you will have the opportunity to indulge in pumpkin dishes, pumpkin juice, nuts, honey, and other agricultural products. Immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of autumn and delight in the traditional dances and music. The festival showcases a wide array of decorative items crafted from various types of pumpkins, which will add a burst of vibrant colours to your home.
While this is not an exhaustive list of festivals held in Armenia, we aim to provide you with a captivating glimpse into the national, cultural, and entertainment celebrations that await you during this season. Autumn in Armenia is characterized by the vibrant city of Yerevan, lively festivals filled with colours, music, and dance, abundant and aromatic feasts, and the warm hospitality of the locals. When you visit Armenia in autumn, you can expect to witness all of these wonderful experiences firsthand.
