Tbilisoba

Origins and history

The festival began on 28 October 1979 under Eduard Shevardnadze, who led the Georgian Communist Party. Soviet authorities introduced the celebration to promote secular state customs and curb religious observances. Officials aimed to foster local pride while discouraging nationalist movements, but the event had the opposite effect. It deepened public interest in Georgian national history and the capital's 1,500-year past. Following a pause during the civil unrest of the early 1990s, the municipal celebration was revived in 1995 and has taken place every year since.

Festivities and harvest fairs

The historical district of Old Tbilisi serves as the heart of the celebrations. Public spaces host live performances featuring traditional music and folk dance troupes. Alongside the arts, communities from every corner of Georgia travel to the capital to present goods from their home regions. These displays include fairs dedicated to the autumn harvest and Rtveli, the traditional grape harvest. Through these gatherings, the event unites rural traditions with the urban life of the capital, turning public streets into shared spaces of cultural exchange.

Civic awards and community life

Beyond concerts and markets, Tbilisoba incorporates official civic duties. The city government uses the festival as an occasion to award honorary citizenship to distinguished individuals who have contributed to the community. The holiday honors both the ancient foundation of Tbilisi and its modern identity. What began as a managed political initiative has turned into a widespread social gathering where residents and visitors celebrate regional diversity, local identity, and shared urban life in the autumn season.

How Tbilisoba is kept

During the festival, crowds gather across Old Tbilisi for outdoor cultural programs. Performers stage open-air concerts with regional music and traditional dances. Farmers and artisans from different provinces set up stalls for harvest fairs, showcasing local produce linked to the grape-picking season of Rtveli. Municipal authorities conduct formal ceremonies to confer honorary citizenship upon selected community figures, while residents and visitors wander through the historic centre to attend public exhibitions.

When and where

The festival takes place every year during the autumn season. It is typically scheduled in the latter half of October, a timing that aligns with regional harvest activities across Georgia.

The festivities take place in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Most of the concerts, fairs, and public gatherings are concentrated within the historical area known as Old Tbilisi.

What Tbilisoba means

The festival represents the shared heritage and cultural diversity of Georgia's capital. By marking fifteen centuries of urban life, it links past history with modern identity. It also connects city dwellers with rural farming communities through harvest rituals, reflecting a unified sense of national history across different regions.

Tbilisoba dates: 2026, 2027, 2028

Questions people ask about Tbilisoba

See also

RtveliA Georgian harvest festival marking the grape picking season with feasts and folk songs.ChichilakiA shaved hazelnut branch crafted as a Georgian Christmas tree and burned at EpiphanyNowruzThe Iranian new year at the March equinox, kept with fire, greenery and picnicsHoliA spring festival of colours and bonfires that marks the end of winter and the triumph of good over evil.

Good reading and sources

• Tbilisoba on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-04.