Stihia Festival

View on map
Arts & CultureMuynak/Aral Sea
DatesDates TBACheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsStihia's defining feature is its setting
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: UZS
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Stihia Festival in Muynak/Aral Sea

Stihia is an annual electronic music, art, and science festival held in Uzbekistan since 2017, most famously staged on the dried bed of the former Aral Sea amid a rusting ship graveyard in Moynaq. It pairs international DJ lineups with a scientific forum addressing the region's ecological collapse.

Few festivals anywhere in the world stage themselves on the floor of a vanished sea, but that is exactly what Stihia did from its first edition in 2017, setting up stages and a tent city on the cracked, salt-white seabed near Moynaq, once a thriving Aral Sea fishing port and now stranded some 150 kilometers from the nearest water.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Stihia's defining feature is its setting: the inaugural and most editions have taken place on the desolate, salt-crusted seabed of the vanished Aral Sea, surrounded by the beached hulks of Moynaq's former fishing fleet, a stark backdrop chosen deliberately to draw attention to one of the world's worst human-made ecological disasters

02

The mystery stays covered

The festival pairs electronic genres ranging from ambient and techno to acid techno and hardcore with a genuine scientific forum where researchers and experts discuss the Aral Sea crisis, fusing eco-activism with music in a way few festivals attempt

03

The city starts moving

Its lineup has expanded dramatically from a 2017 debut featuring artists from Uzbekistan, Georgia, and Russia to international performers from the US, Canada, Germany, Sweden, France, the Netherlands, China, Iran, Egypt, Japan, India, Kazakhstan, Karakalpakstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Stihia deliberately fuses global electronic music culture with local Karakalpak identity and craft traditions

Water and renewal

Living ritual

using national clothing and craft fairs alongside its music program

The sacred route

Living ritual

while its scientific forum continues a tradition of using the Aral Sea site itself as a platform for ecological awareness

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA

Getting around

For Stihia Festival, plan transport around the exact Muynak/Aral Sea venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Warm layers for chilly desert nights, which can fall to 5 to 10 degrees Celsius, combined with breathable, dust-resistant clothing for hot desert days and comfortable footwear for uneven...

Safety

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

Where to stay

For Stihia Festival, stay near the part of Muynak/Aral Sea you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

UZS

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map41.26 N, 69.22 EOpen in Google Maps

Muynak/Aral Sea, Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan

Nearest airportNCU — Nukus
TransportFor Stihia Festival, plan transport around the exact Muynak/Aral Sea venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Stihia Festival, stay near the part of Muynak/Aral Sea 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 Muynak/Aral Sea via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Muynak/Aral Sea, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare faresFestival gearWarm layers for chilly desert nights, which can fall to 5 to 10 degrees Celsius, combined with breathable, dust-resistant clothing for hot desert days and comfortable footwear for uneven sand and salt-crusted ground.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Uzbekistan and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Stihia Festival?

Stihia Festival is listed for Dates to be announced. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Stihia Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Muynak/Aral Sea, Uzbekistan. 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?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Muynak/Aral Sea, Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan

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 URLstihia.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA
Source statusOfficial source linked
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