Turkmen Horse Festival

جشنواره اسب ترکمن

View on map
Sports & AdventureGonbad-e Kavus/Bandar Turkmen
DatesDates TBACheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCompetition, enduranceA dedicated beauty competition, distinct
Language["fa"]Currency: IRR
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

Turkmen Horse Festival in Gonbad-e Kavus/Bandar Turkmen

Gonbad-e Kavus, Aq Qala, and Bandar Torkaman have run organized Turkmen horse races since 1974, drawing thousands of spectators to Friday meets each spring and fall, plus additional winter races at Gonbad-e Kavus and a separate beauty competition for breeding stallions and mares held in Sufian village.

Official horse racing in Iran's Turkmen Sahra region has run continuously since 1974 across three towns, Gonbad-e Kavus, Aq Qala, and Bandar Torkaman, with Gonbad-e Kavus hosting the largest meets and drawing crowds estimated between roughly three thousand and six thousand spectators per race day.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

A dedicated beauty competition, distinct from the races, judges stallions and mares purely on conformation and bloodline rather than speed, giving breeders a separate showcase for animals descended from the now-extinct original Turkoman horse line, prized historically for endurance and long, muscular legs suited to covering distance rather than sprint speed

02

The mystery stays covered

The races themselves mix serious competition with an auction and craft-market atmosphere, so the horses being judged for beauty are often the same bloodlines competing on the track days later

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Friday spring and fall horse races across three Turkmen Sahra towns

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a separate conformation-judged beauty festival for stallions and mares in Sufian village

The sacred route

Living ritual

horses featured prominently in Turkmen weddings and holiday celebrations

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA

Getting around

For Turkmen Horse Festival, plan transport around the exact Gonbad-e Kavus/Bandar Turkmen venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Casual outdoor clothing suited to an open racetrack, sun protection for daytime meets, and warmer layers for the winter competitions at Gonbad-e Kavus.

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Turkmen Horse Festival, stay near the part of Gonbad-e Kavus/Bandar Turkmen you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

["fa"] · IRR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map35.69 N, 51.42 EOpen in Google Maps

Gonbad-e Kavus/Bandar Turkmen, Golestan, Iran

Nearest airportGBT — Gorgan
TransportFor Turkmen Horse Festival, plan transport around the exact Gonbad-e Kavus/Bandar Turkmen venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Turkmen Horse Festival, stay near the part of Gonbad-e Kavus/Bandar Turkmen you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Gonbad-e Kavus/Bandar Turkmen via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Gonbad-e Kavus/Bandar Turkmen, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare faresFestival gearCasual outdoor clothing suited to an open racetrack, sun protection for daytime meets, and warmer layers for the winter competitions at Gonbad-e Kavus.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Iran and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

We may earn a small commission from trusted travel partners at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Turkmen Horse Festival?

Turkmen Horse Festival is listed for Multiple months. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Turkmen Horse Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Gonbad-e Kavus/Bandar Turkmen, Iran. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Gonbad-e Kavus/Bandar Turkmen, Golestan, Iran

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA
Source statusNeeds editorial review
Related festivals

Continue the route.

Photo pending

Argungu Fishing Festival

Past edition: 11–14 February 2026

Argungu, Nigeria
Photo pending

Bay to Breakers

Past edition: 17 May 2026

San Francisco, United States
Photo pending

Daytona 500

Past edition: 15 February 2026

Daytona Beach, United States
Photo pending

Daytona Bike Week

Past edition: 27 February–8 March 2026

Daytona Beach, United States

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →