The Balkhash Tour Fest 2026 on the shores of Lake Balkhash attracted about 75,000 guests, becoming one of the largest tourism events of the year in Kazakhstan. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
For two days, the lake shore turned into a vast venue for sports, creativity, family recreation and entertainment. On the first day, about 35,000 people visited the festival, including guests from Kazakhstan and abroad.
One of the key events was a record-breaking kazyburger weighing 86.4 kg. Earlier, Kursiv reported that the dish was 39 cm high and 89 cm in diameter. It was made with assorted meat, vegetables and sauce. The record was officially recorded by a representative of the Kazakhstan Book of Records.
Another highlight was a drone show featuring 500 drones that created light paintings over Balkhash dedicated to Kazakhstan and the region.
The program also included a mass swim, Cuprum Swim, with about 300 athletes from different regions of the country. Rescuers were on duty along the distance for safety.
The festival also featured a two-day dance tournament with teams from Kazakhstan and Russia. The Grand Prix was won by dancer Rufina Lu from Astana, who received a ticket to an international dance camp in Shanghai.
The festival ended with a concert by Kazakh artists, culminating in a festive fireworks display over the lake.
Organizers note that Balkhash Tour Fest will become an annual event. In the future, the venue is planned to be used for summer events, including concerts, exhibitions and family celebrations.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that the festival "Alakol Alaulary – 2026" dedicated to the opening of the tourist season was held on the shore of Lake Alakol in the Abai region.