ASTANA — Kazakhstan will host a series of major international concerts in 2026 featuring global music stars, as officials step up efforts to develop festival tourism and attract foreign visitors, Kazakh Tourism Chairman Talgat Gazizov said at a Jan. 27 government meeting. “At least five major concerts are expected to take place this year,” he said, adding that they expect more than 75,000 international visitors. In comparison, more than 25,000 international visitors attended concerts in Kazakhstan in 2025. Large-scale music and entertainment events are increasingly viewed by officials as drivers of inbound tourism and international visibility. Gazizov said Kazakh Tourism is developing festival tourism by forming a dedicated task force to create travel packages linked to concerts and major cultural events.