Baku in Autumn 2026: Pomegranate Festival, BIAF with Dodin’s “The Seagull” and the 8–10 November Holidays — All in One Guide
⚠️ Please note. This article is for information only: Karavan does not sell tickets for or organise these events. Dates and programmes may change — please check with the organisers.
In short. From late October to 10 November 2026, three reasons to travel come together in Azerbaijan. The Pomegranate Festival in Goychay, inscribed on UNESCO’s intangible heritage list, usually takes place in late October or early November, with the exact date set according to the harvest. The Baku International Arts Festival (BIAF) runs from 28 October to 8 November and opens its theatre programme with Lev Dodin’s “The Seagull” on 29 and 30 October. And 8, 9 and 10 November are three days off in a row: Victory Day, National Flag Day and a transferred day off.
There are rare weeks when one trip can fit everything: world-class theatre, a village harvest fair and a national holiday with fireworks over the Caspian. Late October and early November 2026 is one of them. The weather is still mild, the summer crowds are gone, and there are enough events to fill a week.
Calendar: what, where and when
| Event | Dates | Where | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pomegranate Festival | late October — early November, exact date set by the harvest | Goychay, about 220 km from Baku | fair: over 60 pomegranate varieties, narsharab and juices; concerts |
| BIAF | 28 October — 8 November | leading venues in Baku | over 20 events: theatre, ballet, concerts |
| Lev Dodin’s “The Seagull” | 29 and 30 October | Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theatre | opening of the BIAF theatre programme |
| Victory Day | 8 November, Sunday | Baku and the whole country | concert and fireworks, ceremonial marches |
| National Flag Day | 9 November, Monday | Baku and the whole country | festive events |
| Transferred day off | 10 November, Tuesday | — | the third day off in a row |
1. The Pomegranate Festival in Goychay
Goychay is Azerbaijan’s pomegranate capital. The Pomegranate Festival has been held here every year since 2006, during the harvest. In 2020, “Nar Bayrami” — the traditional pomegranate festivity and culture — was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
What to see and taste
- The variety fair. Growers from nearby villages bring over 60 pomegranate varieties. The best known are Veles, Shirin, Gulesha and Shikhbaba.
- Narsharab. This thick pomegranate sauce, a staple of the Azerbaijani table, is sold here straight from the women who make it.
- Pomegranate juices, jams and sweets — easy to take back to Baku.
- The Pomegranate Museum in Goychay — according to reference sources, the only one of its kind in the world.
- Concerts, folk dances and contests in the town park.
When to go
The festival usually takes place in late October or early November. The exact date is set according to the harvest and announced closer to the event, so check the district’s official news before you travel. If the festival coincides with the 8–10 November holidays, it’s the perfect moment for a trip from Baku.
A day trip by car
Goychay is about 220 km away, so it makes an easy day trip by car — leave in the morning, come back in the evening.
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 8:00 | leave Baku |
| around noon | Goychay: the fair, tastings, shopping |
| 14:00 | lunch — dishes with narsharab, of course |
| 15:30 | the Pomegranate Museum or a walk around town |
| 17:00 | drive back to Baku |
Tips for the trip:
- Set off early: during the festival, visitors come from all over the country.
- Bring cash manats: not every stall at a village fair takes cards.
- Leave room in the boot for pomegranates and narsharab.
- Head back in daylight: it gets dark early in November.
2. BIAF: the Baku International Arts Festival
The second Baku International Arts Festival (BIAF) runs from 28 October to 8 November 2026. Supported by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture, it features over 20 events: theatre, ballet, concerts, film screenings and meetings with artists from Azerbaijan, the UK, Israel, Canada, Monaco, Russia, the USA, France and other countries.
Lev Dodin’s “The Seagull” — the headline for Russian-speaking audiences
The festival’s theatre programme opens on 29 and 30 October with “The Seagull”, based on Chekhov’s play and directed by Lev Dodin. The Maly Drama Theatre — Theatre of Europe production will be staged at the Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theatre. The cast includes Elizaveta Boyarskaya, Igor Chernevich, Sergei Kuryshev, Anna Zavtur and others.
Other BIAF highlights
| Date | Event | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 29–30 October | “The Seagull”, Maly Drama Theatre — Theatre of Europe, directed by Lev Dodin | Musical Theatre |
| 4 November | concert by violinist David Garrett | Heydar Aliyev Center |
| 6–7 November | English National Ballet | Musical Theatre |
| 7 November | LAC by Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo — a new version of “Swan Lake” | Heydar Aliyev Palace |
The main programme also includes a tour by the Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theatre.
Tickets and parking
- Tickets are sold on the festival’s official website, biaf.az — buy only there to avoid fakes.
- Parking. The festival venues are in central Baku, where spaces are scarce in the evening. Arrive 40–60 minutes before the start and never leave the car where parking is prohibited: tow trucks operate in the centre.
- An alternative. Leave the car at your hotel, take the metro or a taxi to the theatre, and use the car for out-of-town trips.
3. 8–10 November in Baku: three days off, fireworks and road closures
In 2026 the holidays line up into a long weekend:
- 8 November, Sunday — Victory Day.
- 9 November, Monday — National Flag Day.
- 10 November, Tuesday — a day off, transferred from the Sunday holiday.
Fireworks and concert
In recent years, Victory Day has been marked with an evening concert in Seaside National Park, by the Clock Tower on the Boulevard, followed by fireworks at around 21:00. The exact time for 2026 will be announced closer to the holiday.
Road closures: what drivers should expect
- Morning marches. In past years, ceremonial marches passed through central streets on 8 November from 10:00 to 12:00, with traffic closed during that time.
- The Victory Monument area. Traffic was restricted on roads leading to the Ag Shahar boulevard from Neftchilar and 8 November avenues.
- The evening on the Boulevard. During the concert and fireworks the waterfront is crowded, and nearby parking fills up quickly.
The Baku traffic police usually publish the 2026 closure plan a day or two before the holiday — keep an eye on the news.
How to fit it all into one trip
With a week and a half, you can catch everything:
- 29 or 30 October — Dodin’s “The Seagull” at the Musical Theatre.
- 4–7 November — David Garrett, English National Ballet or Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo.
- 8 November — festive Baku, with fireworks on the Boulevard in the evening.
- 9 or 10 November — a drive to Goychay if the festival is still on, either overnight or there and back in a day.
A car for these dates
The 8–10 November long weekend and the festival weeks are a time of high demand, so it’s best to book a car in advance. At Karavan Rent A Car in Baku you can rent one for as little as one day — say, just for the trip to Goychay — and collect and return it at any time of day or night, including at the airport. All rental terms are in our guide to car rental requirements in Baku, and details on day rentals are in our article on car rental for 1 day.
FAQ
When is the 2026 Pomegranate Festival?
Usually in late October or early November. The exact date is set according to the harvest and announced closer to the event.
How far is Goychay from Baku?
About 220 km, so it makes an easy day trip by car.
When is Dodin’s “The Seagull” showing in Baku?
On 29 and 30 October 2026 at the Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theatre, as part of BIAF.
Where can I buy BIAF tickets?
On the festival’s official website, biaf.az.
Is 10 November 2026 a day off?
Yes. Because Victory Day falls on a Sunday, 10 November has been declared a day off.
Where can I watch the 8 November fireworks?
In recent years the fireworks took place on the Boulevard, by the Clock Tower in Seaside National Park, at around 21:00. The exact time for 2026 will be announced closer to the holiday.
Conclusion
Late October and early November 2026 is a rare window when world-class theatre, a UNESCO-listed harvest festival and national celebrations with fireworks all fall into one trip. Plan ahead, check the dates with the organisers and book your car before the holidays. Message a Karavan Rent A Car in Baku manager on WhatsApp or Telegram at +994-55-455-22-45 — they’ll find the right car for your route.
Read also
- Car rental at Baku Airport (GYD): step-by-step guide: read the article
- 24/7 car rental in Baku: read the article
