Tea Festival in Baku 2026: A Six-Metre Armudu Glass, Karabakh Herbal Teas and Chinese and Uzbek Traditions on Baku Boulevard
⚠️ Important. This piece is purely informational: Karavan neither organises the festival nor books visits, and it cannot answer questions about the event. If the festival is held again, check dates, rules and conditions directly with the organiser, the Seaside Boulevard Administration.
In short. From 12 to 18 October 2026, Baku Boulevard hosted a Tea Festival. Visitors found a tea garden, a six-metre replica of the armudu glass, teas from Azerbaijani producers, herbal blends from Karabakh and East Zangezur, and the tea traditions of China and Uzbekistan.
In the evenings you could spot it from far down the promenade: a pear-shaped glass as tall as a two-storey house, glowing among the greenery. On the site were a tea garden, samovars and corners for conversation. For a whole week, Baku’s seafront celebrated the drink that no gathering here goes without.
The festival at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | 12–18 October 2026 |
| Opening hours | daily, 12:00 to 23:00 |
| Venue | Seaside National Park (Baku Boulevard), next to the Abdulla Shaig Azerbaijan State Puppet Theatre |
| Landmark address | 36 Neftchilar Avenue, the puppet theatre building |
| Entry | free |
| Organiser | Seaside Boulevard Administration |
Where it was held
The festival was set up in the Seaside National Park, as Baku’s Caspian boulevard is called. The Abdulla Shaig Puppet Theatre served as the landmark; its building on Neftchilar Avenue opened in 1910. Reports on the event pointed out that tea drinking and the boulevard have long gone together.
The site had a tea garden, with greenery-decked corners for conversation alongside it.
What was on
A six-metre armudu. The festival’s emblem was a decorative replica of the pear-shaped tea glass, six metres tall. Staff of the Seaside Boulevard Administration made it by hand.
Tea from local producers. Leading Azerbaijani tea makers brought their products, so visitors could compare different teas without leaving the boulevard.
Herbal teas from Karabakh and East Zangezur. Blends brought from these regions were also on show.
Regional sweets. Sweets and pastries from around the country were served with the tea, along with dishes that traditionally share the tea table.
Samovars and tableware. Visitors could take a look at traditional tea-table items, samovars and decorative pieces.
Tea from abroad. Visitors could discover the tea traditions of Uzbekistan and China, the birthplace of tea.
Why it was held
The organisers named three aims: to introduce visitors to the national tea culture, to support local producers, and to present tea not merely as a drink but as a cultural tradition that brings people together.
Why tea in Azerbaijan is more than just a drink
In 2022, the tea culture of Azerbaijan and Türkiye was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, under the title “Culture of Çay (tea), a symbol of identity, hospitality and social interaction”.
UNESCO’s description notes that tea is served hot and freshly brewed, in pear-shaped cups made of glass, porcelain, faience or silver. It comes with sweets, sugar, lemon slices, jams and dried fruit, and in some parts of Azerbaijan cinnamon, ginger or thyme go into the brew. The text also says tea marks important moments in community life and helps people keep their ties strong.
In the south of the country, tea is grown in Lankaran, Astara and Masalli.
Will the festival return?
At the time of publication, the Seaside Boulevard Administration had announced neither an extension nor dates for another festival. Reports on the event did not give an edition number either.
Baku has hosted a tea festival before: in 2023, one was held in the Gala Reserve, organised by the Icherisheher Reserve Administration and the Azeri Home Chef community. It featured a “Tea Set” cooking contest for the country’s best amateur chefs, while diplomatic missions laid tea tables in the traditions of their own countries.
If the boulevard festival comes back, follow the news on the Seaside Boulevard Administration’s website, bulvar.gov.az: in 2026, reports about the festival appeared the day before it opened and on opening day.
If you missed it
Autumn in Baku carries on. The Baku International Arts Festival opens on 28 October and runs until 8 November, the day the city marks Victory Day. Dates, venues and tips for drivers are collected in our guide to Baku in autumn 2026.
To taste tea where it’s grown, head south. Our weekend itinerary for Lankaran and Lerik makes the trip easy to plan.
Karavan Rent A Car in Baku will rent you a car for a trip like this even for a single day. Delivery runs around the clock, to the airport terminal, your hotel or wherever suits you, and the delivery service manager arrives with the keys and a rental agreement already prepared in your name. Adding a second driver costs nothing. To travel deposit-free, pick the full “All Risks Zero” insurance or add the “No Deposit” service to a standard policy.
FAQ
When was the Tea Festival in Baku?
From 12 to 18 October 2026, daily from 12:00 to 23:00.
Was there an entry fee?
No, entry to the festival was free.
Where exactly was it held?
In the Seaside National Park on Baku Boulevard, next to the Abdulla Shaig Azerbaijan State Puppet Theatre (36 Neftchilar Avenue).
Will it take place next year?
Nothing had been announced at the time of publication.
The bottom line
In one week, the Tea Festival brought local producers, regional sweets, Karabakh herbs and the traditions of two tea-loving countries to Baku Boulevard. And you don’t need to wait for another festival to taste Azerbaijani tea where it grows. Planning to drive south yourself? Message a Karavan Rent A Car in Baku manager, who will pick a suitable car and have it delivered to the starting point of your trip.
Message a manager on WhatsApp · WhatsApp and Telegram: +994-55-455-22-45
