Celebrating Mongolia’s traditions, communities and contemporary culture.
Several of our small group journeys are timed to coincide with Mongolia’s festivals and seasonal celebrations, from the winter gathering of Tsagaan Sar to summer Naadam and the eagle festivals of western Mongolia.
However, the festival is only one part of the journey. Our itineraries also include time with local families, everyday encounters, remarkable landscapes and the quieter moments between destinations.
Explore our upcoming festival departures below. If you have a particular celebration in mind, we can also help you consider how it might fit into a tailor-made journey.
Festival dates in Mongolia can change, sometimes with very little notice, and programmes are often released only a day or two beforehand. Even when arrangements are confirmed, start times may shift and waiting is often part of the experience.
Our advice is to allow time and enjoy the wider atmosphere rather than focusing too closely on the schedule. There are conversations to be had, food stalls to explore, people to watch and plenty happening beyond the main events. Embrace the more flexible approach to time, settle into the celebrations and let the day unfold.
Held every two years on the frozen surface of Khar Us Nuur in western Mongolia’s Khovd Province, the Silver Reeds Festival brings together wildlife conservation, local culture and winter celebrations. Initiated by WWF Mongolia to celebrate the return of the rare Dalmatian pelican to the lake, the festival raises awareness of wetland conservation while showcasing the traditions, music and winter sports of one of Mongolia’s most ethnically diverse regions.
For those interested in wildlife, the festival can also be combined with time spent alongside local herders trained through WWF-supported conservation initiatives to monitor snow leopards and other wildlife in the surrounding mountains.
Tsagaan Sar, or White Month, marks Mongolia’s Lunar New Year and is one of the country’s most important family celebrations. Traditionally held in late winter, it brings generations together to welcome the new year, honour elders, share food and renew family and community connections. Homes are prepared, traditional dishes are made and visits to relatives form an important part of the celebrations.
Our Tsagaan Sar Insight journey offer the opportunity to experience this important celebration alongside Mongolian families. .
Held annually in Mongolia’s southern Gobi Desert, usually near the provincial capital, Dalanzadgad, the Thousand Camel Festival celebrates the Bactrian camel and its importance to the region’s herding communities. Established by a local NGO to support camel conservation and traditional herding livelihoods, the festival brings families together during the quieter winter months.
Camel races, camel polo, traditional music and dancing all contribute to the lively atmosphere, offering a glimpse into the lives and communities of the Gobi beyond the summer tourist season.
Find out more about our Thousand Camel Festival winter journey, which combines the celebrations with time exploring the Gobi and meeting local families.
Held over two days on the frozen surface of Khovsgol Nuur in northern Mongolia, the Khovsgol Ice Festival brings together local families and visitors from across the country for a lively winter celebration. Originally established to encourage tourism outside the summer season, the festival takes place near the lakeside community of Khatgal, with activities including ice sculpting, ice sumo wrestling, traditional ankle bone shooting and horse sled races.
The frozen lake becomes a gathering place filled with competitions, laughter and the bustle of people enjoying winter together.
Explore our Khovsgol Ice Festival journey, which combines the celebrations with time experiencing northern Mongolia in winter.
Usually held in early March at the Chinggis Khaanii Khuree complex in Ulaanbaatar, the Spring Eagle Festival brings around 20 Kazakh eagle hunters from western Mongolia to the capital. The event celebrates the tradition of hunting with golden eagles, giving residents of Ulaanbaatar and international visitors an opportunity to watch the hunters and their eagles demonstrate their skills without travelling to the Altai Mountains.
The festival also helps raise awareness of Kazakh cultural heritage within Mongolia. Dates can vary, so check the Chinggis Khaanii Khuree Facebook page for updates, or watch this video for a glimpse of the celebrations.
Nauryz, meaning ‘new day’, marks the spring equinox and is celebrated across Central Asia. In western Mongolia’s Bayan-Ölgii Province, it is an important celebration for the Kazakh community, bringing families and friends together to welcome spring.
In Ölgii, the celebrations include a colourful community parade, horse races, traditional games and informal eagle festivals. Among the highlights is kokpar (also known as buzkashi), a fast-paced horseback competition in which riders compete for possession of a goat carcass.
Explore our Shared Lives Of The Altai small group journey, which combines the celebrations of Nauryz with time spent alongside Kazakh families in western Mongolia.
Held in the mountain landscapes of Yolyn Am in Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, the Saikhan Yak Festival celebrates an unexpected part of life in Mongolia’s southern Gobi: yak herding. Although yaks are more commonly associated with Mongolia’s northern and central highlands, the cooler, higher-altitude valleys of the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan Mountains also support small yak-herding communities.
Traditionally organised by the Ömnögovi provincial authorities, the festival brings together local herders for yak-related competitions and celebrations, highlighting a lesser-known aspect of the Gobi’s rural livelihoods. The festival was held annually before the pandemic, although its current schedule is uncertain.
Held each June beside Tsagaan Lake in Khentii Province’s Binder district, the Crane Festival celebrates Mongolia’s remarkable birdlife, with a particular focus on the endangered white-naped crane. Mongolia is home to six of the world’s fifteen crane species, and the festival helps raise awareness of the importance of protecting the wetlands and grasslands on which these birds depend.
Alongside conservation activities, the celebrations bring together local communities for traditional wrestling, archery, horse racing and displays of herding life, combining wildlife conservation with the cultural traditions of Mongolia’s eastern steppe.
Naadam is Mongolia’s most important national celebration, bringing people together for wrestling, archery and horse racing — the country’s traditional ‘three manly sports’. Celebrations take place across Mongolia throughout the summer, with provinces, districts and smaller communities hosting their own festivals.
Only the State Naadam Festival in Ulaanbaatar has fixed dates, taking place annually on 11–12 July, although some competitions and associated events begin earlier. Commemorating Mongolia’s 1921 Revolution, it is a celebration of national identity, sporting achievement and cultural heritage. Despite sometimes being described as a tourist event, it remains a hugely important occasion for Mongolians, with families and friends gathering to enjoy the competitions and wider festivities.
Rural Naadam festivals have a different atmosphere, often more informal and closely connected to local communities. While provincial dates are generally announced in advance, smaller celebrations may be arranged according to the Mongolian lunar calendar and advertised locally, sometimes only a few days beforehand.
Both offer different perspectives on Mongolia, and neither should be considered more authentic than the other. Explore our Mongolia small group tours or contact us about including Naadam in a tailor-made journey.
Held near Ulaan Tsutgalan (Orkhon Waterfall) in Mongolia’s central heartland, the Orkhon Valley Yak Festival brings together local herding families and communities to celebrate the yak and its importance to their livelihoods. The festival also provides an opportunity for herders to connect, share ideas and strengthen relationships within the region.
Expect yak races, yak polo and even a yak beauty pageant — although exactly what makes a prize-winning yak isn’t always clear! Traditional music and dancing add to the festivities, creating a lively community gathering in the landscapes of the Orkhon Valley.
You can experience the festival as part of our Modern Nomads small group journey or explore including it in a tailor-made trip.
Danshig Naadam brings together Mongolia’s Buddhist traditions and the sporting celebrations of Naadam. Organised in partnership with Gandan Monastery, the festival celebrates Mongolia’s Buddhist heritage and honours Zanabazar, the country’s first Jebtsundamba Khutuktu and an important religious and cultural figure. First held in 1639 to mark his recognition as a spiritual leader, the festival remains an important expression of Mongolia’s Buddhist traditions.
Alongside wrestling, archery and horse racing, one of the highlights is the Tsam mask dance, a colourful Buddhist ritual performed by monks wearing elaborate masks and costumes.
Usually held in August at Khui Doloon Khudag, west of Ulaanbaatar, dates vary each year.
The Nomads World Cultural Festival brings together communities, craftspeople, performers and cultural practitioners from across Mongolia to celebrate the country’s diverse living traditions. Usually held in August near Ulaanbaatar, the festival showcases everything from traditional music, dance and craftsmanship to regional customs, games and sporting competitions.
Visitors can explore cultural displays representing different provinces and communities, watch demonstrations of traditional skills and discover aspects of Mongolia’s heritage that are not always encountered when travelling through the country. Horseback archery is among the sports featured, and the 2025 festival also hosted the World Horseback Archery Championship.
Organised annually, the festival provides an opportunity to discover the diversity of Mongolia’s cultural traditions in one place. Dates, locations and programmes should be confirmed each year although it took place For 2026, the festival took place on 21–23 August at the foot of Taij Khairkhan in Nalaikh, just outside Ulaanbaatar.
Horseback archery is experiencing a resurgence in Mongolia, with a growing number of competitions celebrating this traditional skill and its place in the country’s equestrian heritage. Bringing together Mongolian and international competitors, these events showcase impressive horsemanship as riders demonstrate speed, balance and precision, shooting arrows at targets while riding at a gallop.
Although not all competitions are guaranteed to take place every year, several events have become part of Mongolia’s horseback archery calendar. These include the National Horseback Archery Championship, the Khiimori International Horseback Archery Competition and the Spirit International Horseback Archery Competition. Typically held during August and September at equestrian venues near Ulaanbaatar, they offer an enjoyable day out for local families and visitors alike, while helping to celebrate and revive an important part of Mongolia’s sporting and cultural heritage.
Dates, venues and programmes can change, so it’s worth checking the current competition calendar before planning a visit.
Several eagle festivals are now held in late autumn in western Mongolia, each designed to celebrate and promote Kazakh culture and the ancient sport of hunting with eagles, traditionally marking the beginning of the eagle hunting season. Typically organised or sponsored by tour operators, with the support of the Mongolian Eagle Hunter’s Association or the Kazakh Falconry Association, these festivals bring together eagle hunters for intense and skillful competitions, showcasing the connection between the hunters and their eagles.
Eagle festival dates can vary, but typically, the Sagsai Festival typically takes place on September 17 and 18, the Tolbo Nuur festival on the third weekend in September, and the Golden Eagle Festival in Ulgii on the first weekend of October. Additionally, an early festival is usually held in Altai in early September. These festivals are similar in style and all are popular, often featuring the same eagle hunters and competitions, with none being more ‘authentic’ than the others. Each of these events offers a celebration of Kazakh culture and eagle hunting
If you would like to experience the eagle festival, take a look at our Altai & Eagles small group tour.
The ‘Steppe Horse Festival’ (Талын Түмэн Адуу Winter Horse Festival) takes pace in the small community of Batnorov village in Khentii province, Eastern Mongolia. Khentii, a region rich in history connected to Chinggis Khan and the unification of the Mongol tribes, is also home to the Buriats (or Buryats) one of Mongolia’s ethnic groups. Known for its traditional craftmanship, Batnarov is a centre for producing traditional Mongolian saddles and tack.
This annual two-day festival brings together horse trainers, horse herders, and riders to celebrate and preserve the heritage of Mongolia’s herding culture. The event showcases the skills and dexterity of the competing riding, whilst also supporting the livelihoods of the surrounding local communities.
For more details, read our article or get in touch for details on how we can incorporate the eagle festivals into your Mongolian experience.
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.
Xyyp Music Festival (XMF) brings together Mongolian and international musicians, bands and DJs for a celebration of contemporary music and youth culture. Its programme spans hip-hop, rock, pop and electronic music, with multiple stages offering a mix of established performers and emerging talent.
First established in 2017, Xyyp has become part of Mongolia’s growing summer music festival scene, providing a platform for local artists alongside international acts. Held near Ulaanbaatar, it offers another opportunity to experience the energy and creativity of Mongolia’s contemporary music scene.
Established in 2002, Playtime Music Festival is one of Mongolia’s best-known contemporary music events and a major celebration of the country’s independent music scene. Bringing together Mongolian and international performers, its programme spans indie rock, punk, folk-rock, electronic music and DJ sets, attracting music lovers from across Mongolia and beyond.
What began as a celebration connected to Mongolia’s pioneering grunge band, Nisvanis, has grown into a multi-stage festival that supports local musicians, emerging talent and the country’s wider creative industries. Playtime offers a different perspective on modern Mongolia, highlighting the energy, creativity and diversity of its younger generations.
The festival is now held at Playtime Field in Nalaikh, outside Ulaanbaatar, with dates announced annually.
XAOC Festival brings together experimental music, visual art and contemporary creative expression, offering a different perspective on Mongolia’s evolving arts scene. Featuring Mongolian and international artists, the programme includes live performances, sound art, film, multimedia installations and exhibitions that explore social, cultural and environmental themes.
The festival provides a platform for artistic collaboration and new ideas, connecting Mongolia’s creative community with artists from around the world. Its 2026 edition, Resurgence – A New Nomadic Spirit, explored migration, changing identities and the relationship between traditional and contemporary ways of life.
Held annually on 11 July as part of Mongolia’s Naadam celebrations, Ulaanbaatar Night is a free outdoor concert in the capital’s Sükhbaatar Square. Usually beginning around 9pm, the event brings together popular Mongolian bands, singers and DJs for an evening celebrating the country’s contemporary music scene.
The square fills with local families, friends and visitors enjoying live performances and the festive atmosphere of Naadam. With music continuing late into the evening and a fireworks display traditionally bringing the celebrations to a close, it’s an enjoyable opportunity to experience another side of Ulaanbaatar.
KHARKHORUM brings together contemporary electronic music and visual art, creating a festival experience built around sound, light and large-scale installations. Towering LED structures, some reaching 11 metres in height, form the backdrop for performances by Mongolian and international DJs, combining music with constantly changing visual displays.
The festival reflects the growing creativity of Mongolia’s contemporary arts and electronic music scene, offering a different perspective on the country’s modern cultural life.
Music is woven into everyday life in Mongolia, from the open steppe to the streets of Ulaanbaatar. In the countryside, you might hear herders singing or whistling as they work, using familiar calls and melodies to guide livestock or encourage animals to accept their young. At Naadam, archery competitions are accompanied by rhythmic calls, while young jockeys sing traditional songs before horse races. In Ulaanbaatar, contemporary hip-hop, rock and electronic music are part of the city’s soundtrack, alongside the familiar sound of karaoke drifting from family gatherings.
Traditional Mongolian music also reflects the country’s close relationship with its landscapes and animals. Instruments such as the morin khuur, or horsehead fiddle, evoke the sounds of horses, wind and the natural world. This musical heritage continues through everyday life as well as formal performances, where skilled musicians, singers and dancers bring different aspects of Mongolia’s cultural traditions together.
Ulaanbaatar has a range of cultural performances throughout the year, offering an opportunity to experience traditional music, dance and other performing arts. Explore our guide to cultural concerts in Mongolia, keeping in mind that programmes, venues and performance times may change.
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