Discover Exciting Festivals in Mongolia

Mongolia hosts a diverse array of festivals throughout the year, each offering a unique insight into the country’s heritage and cultural traditions. Many festivals, like Naadam and Tsagaan Sar, are deeply rooted in Mongolian customs, embodying a rich history that has been passed down through generations. These traditional celebrations showcase everything from wrestling, horse racing, and archery to spiritual rituals and community gatherings, forming an essential part of the Mongolian cultural landscape.

In recent years, newer festivals have also emerged, celebrating aspects of Mongolia’s evolving culture and identity. These events, often organised or sponsored by local authorities or tourism organisations, NGOs, or tour operators highlight regional specialities, folk arts, and even environmental conservation. For travellers, these festivals offer an immersive experience, blending ancient traditions with modern innovations, and creating opportunities to connect with Mongolian communities.

Our guide provides an overview of some of Mongolia’s must-see festivals, though new events are continually added, enriching the country’s cultural calendar.

Dates & Programmes

Please note that festival dates can occasionally shift, sometimes with little notice, and that event programmes are typically released only a day or two before the event. Additionally, start times may be delayed,  and waiting periods are common. But, instead of approaching a festival with a Western concept of punctuality, try to embrace the relaxed, flexible Mongolian approach to time – immerse yourself in the experience, enjoy the atmosphere, and let the festival unfold at its own pace.

Mongolia’s Music Festivals

For those interested in music as a window into a country’s culture, Mongolia’s music festivals offer a different perspective on the country’s evolving art scene. These festivals capture a range of sounds including contemporary genres that reflect the fusion of local and global influences. Towards the bottom of the page, you’ll find a list of some of Mongolia’s top music festivals.

For more information, click on the respective boxes. Or, if you have any questions about any of the festivals in Mongolia, please reach out. We’re here to help you plan your journey to experience the heart of Mongolia’s culture.

Silver Reeds Festival | January-February | Khar Us Nuur, Khovd Province

Tsagaan Sar | Mongolian Lunar New Year | January-March | Countrywide

Thousand Camel Festival | Feb 1-3 | Southern Gobi

Khovsgol Ice Festival | Around March 3 -5 | Khovsgol Nuur National Park

Spring Eagle Festival | Early March | Chinggis Khaan Khuree Complex, Ulaanbaatar

Nauryz Festival | March 21 & 22 | Western Mongolia

Gobi Yak Festival | May/June | Yolyn Am, Southern Gobi

Annual Crane Festival | June | Binder, Khentii Province

Naadam Festival | Rural June – August | Countrywide

National Naadam Festival | July 11 & 12 | Ulaanbataar

Yak Festival | July 23 | Orkhon River Valley

Danshig Naadan | August 4-6 | Khui Doloon Khudag, Ulaanbaatar

Spirit Of Horseback Archery Tournament | September | Ulaanbaatar

Eagle Festival | September & October | Western Mongolia

Winter Horse Festival | November | Batnarov, Khentii Province

Mongolia Music Festivals

The variety of music festivals taking place in Ulaanbaatar and elsewhere in Mongolia can be surprising. Mixing international and Mongolian bands, DJs, musicians, and creative artists, the festivals are a celebration of visual arts and music.

Playtime Music Festival | Mid-July | Ulaanbaatar

Spirit Of Gobi | Mid-August | Southern Gobi

KHARAKHORUM | Changing dates | Ulaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar Night | July 11 | Sukhbaatar Square, Ulaanbaatar

Cultural Concerts | Various dates & locations in Ulaanbaatar


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