Mongolia hosts various festivals throughout the year, celebrating its rich cultural heritage and nomadic traditions. The year 2024 will see various events, including the Reindeer Festival, Crane Festival, Silver Reeds Festival, Tea Road Festival, and more. Each of these celebrations provides a window into the vibrant livelihoods of Mongolian nomads, offering an immersive experience in nomadic culture. While there are numerous noteworthy festivals, here, we highlight some of the prominent annual events.
Thousand Camel Festival, 1-3 February
The Ten Thousand Camel Festival, held annually in Dalanzadgad, the provincial capital city of Southern Gobi, stands as one of the pioneering initiatives dedicated to showcasing and preserving nomadic cultures and heritages. Following the harsh winter, herders come together to participate in this unique event, engaging in fierce contests that test the agility and strength of both herders and their camels. The festival features captivating exhibitions, allowing spectators to marvel at the displays and immerse themselves in the distinctive nomadic culture.
Date: 1-3 Feb, 2024
Location: Dalanzadgad town, Umnugovi province
Mongolian Lunar New Year – Tsagaan Sar, 10-12 February
Tsagaan Sar, also known as the Mongolian Lunar New Year, is a widely celebrated national holiday in Mongolia. It symbolizes the conclusion of winter and marks the arrival of the new season.
Date: 10-12 Feb, 2024
Ice Festival, 2-4 March
Ice festivals in Mongolia include activities such as ice sculptures, ice skating, traditional Mongolian games on ice, and cultural performances. These festivals aim to embrace the winter season and showcase the unique aspects of Mongolian culture in a snowy and icy setting. Here is our Ice Festival tour.
Date: 2-3 Mar, 2024
Location: Khuvsgul lake
Spring Eagle Festival, 9-10 March
The Golden Eagle Festival is a captivating event that showcases the traditional practice of eagle hunting, a skill passed down through generations among Kazakh nomads. The festival features eagle competitions, where these majestic birds demonstrate their hunting abilities and eagle trainers showcase their bond with the eagles. Spring Eagle Festival offers an opportunity to witness this ancient culture near Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. Our tour to Spring Eagle Festival.
Date: 9-10 Mar, 2024
Location: Chinggisiin Khuree Complex, Ulaanbaatar
Naadam Festival, 11-12 July
Naadam is a traditional Mongolian festival celebrated annually, showcasing the “Three Manly Games” – wrestling, horse racing, and archery. Rooted in nomadic culture, the festival highlights the skills historically essential for survival on the steppes. Wrestlers engage in intense matches, horse races cover vast distances, and archers display precision with traditional bows. Beyond sports, Naadam features cultural performances, traditional music, dance, and vibrant costumes. The festival promotes national unity, preserves cultural heritage, and symbolizes Mongolia’s resilience. It serves as a dynamic celebration, combining athleticism, cultural expression, and a deep connection to Mongolia’s nomadic past. We have national and local Naadam festival tous.
Date: 11-12 Jul, 2024
Yak Festival, 23 July
The Yak Festival celebrated in remote mountain regions, is a cultural event that aims to promote the benefits of yaks. During the festival, attendees can witness exciting activities such as yak races, lassoing, yak polo, and yak milking competitions. Additionally, there are various dairy products and other goods derived from yaks that can be enjoyed during the festival. The festival provides an excellent opportunity to celebrate the vital role that yaks play in the traditional way of life in Mongolia. Here is our Yak Festival Tour.
Date: 23 Jul, 2024
Location: Bat-Ulzii soum, Uvurkhangai province
Danshig Naadam, 3-4 August
The religious celebration in Mongolia, known as Danshig Naadam, originated in 1639 during the enthronement of the 1st Bogd Jebtsundamba Khutukhtu. Revived in 2015, Danshig Naadam has grown into a significant religious festival featuring diverse cultural performances such as Tsam dance. Various religious and cultural performances are organized during the festival including competitions between lamas, traditional Mongolian wrestling, archery, and knuckle-bone shooting.
Date: 5-6 Aug, 2024
Location: Khui Doloon Khudag Festival ground
Sagsai Golden Eagle Festival, 17-18 September
Among the various Golden Eagle Festivals, the Sagsai Golden Eagle Festival stands as the second-largest in the series. While the competitions remain largely similar, the distinct advantage of the Sagsai Eagle Festival lies in the increased photo opportunities it provides for photographers. The smaller crowd compared to the main Eagle Festival enhances the chances of capturing unique and captivating moments.
Date: 17-18 Sep, 2024
Location: Sagsai soum, Bayan-Ulgii province
Golden Eagle Festival, 5-6 October
The Golden Eagle Festival is an annual celebration of the ancient tradition of eagle hunting in Mongolia, and it takes place in the Western Mongolian province of Bayan-Ölgii. There are a few different festivals and the largest one is held during the first weekend of October. During the festival, eagle hunters from across Mongolia gather to compete in a series of events that showcase the skill and bravery of the hunters and their eagles. Here is our Golden Eagle Festival tour.
Date: 5-6 Oct, 2024
Location: Ulgii town, Bayan-Ulgii province
Steppe Winter Horses, 16-17 November
The Steppe Horse Festival, also known as Taliin Tumen Aduu, is held in Batnorov soum, Uvurkhangai province. As the birthplace of Chinggis Khaan, the residents of Khentii province take great pride in their heritage and horse culture. This event provides travelers and enthusiasts with a unique opportunity to observe the horse culture that has been passed down through generations on the vast steppes of Mongolia.
Date: 16-17 Nov
Location: Batnorov soum, Khentii province
