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Mongolia🇲🇳 | best festivalsExplore the 9 Best festivals in Mongolia

Mongolia stages its festivals on open steppe, not in town squares, and that changes everything about how you plan. The country's Naadam season in July dominates the calendar, with wrestling, archery and horse racing filling stadiums in Ulaanbaatar and grassy fields in every provincial center. Go to a village version and you pay almost nothing, sit among families sharing salty milk tea, and walk right up to the racecourse. The capital means bigger crowds, tickets and higher prices. In the far west, the Altai Kazakh eagle festivals in autumn mean long drives and cold mornings, yet they reward you with raptors on horseback against bare mountains. Winter brings ice and camel events in the Gobi and the north, with deep cold to match. Independent travelers can reach many of these by shared jeep, local bus or a hired driver. Pick your region first, then chase the date.

By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 18, 2026
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Why go?Why These festival Stand Out

Mongolia is a country built around nomadic herding, and its festivals grew out of the skills that keep a herder alive: riding, shooting and wrestling. That is why the biggest celebrations happen outdoors, with horses, felt tents and herders who ride in from distant valleys. Events are tied to the seasonal movement of livestock, so dates follow weather, grass and the lunar calendar more than tourist convenience. The country has around 3.4 million people spread across a landmass larger than Western Europe, so the experience varies sharply from the capital to the provinces. Expect space and authenticity rather than polish. Infrastructure is thin outside Ulaanbaatar: paved roads connect main towns, but reaching a remote gathering often means hours on dirt tracks, so transport is part of the adventure … read more 👉
Mongolia is a country built around nomadic herding, and its festivals grew out of the skills that keep a herder alive: riding, shooting and wrestling. That is why the biggest celebrations happen outdoors, with horses, felt tents and herders who ride in from distant valleys. Events are tied to the seasonal movement of livestock, so dates follow weather, grass and the lunar calendar more than tourist convenience. The country has around 3.4 million people spread across a landmass larger than Western Europe, so the experience varies sharply from the capital to the provinces. Expect space and authenticity rather than polish. Infrastructure is thin outside Ulaanbaatar: paved roads connect main towns, but reaching a remote gathering often means hours on dirt tracks, so transport is part of the adventure and part of the budget.

The Buddhist and shamanic heritage adds another layer. Monastery ceremonies, ovoo cairn rituals and masked dances sit alongside sporting contests, and each region leans in a different direction. The Kazakh communities of Bayan-Ölgii bring Turkic traditions found nowhere else in the country, while the Gobi and the north have their own animal-centered events.

Before choosing Mongolia for festivals, know that accommodation fills fast around the main summer dates, that prices in Ulaanbaatar jump in July, and that a festival at a remote location may have no hotel at all, only ger camps or your own tent. Bring cash in tugriks, since cards rarely work outside the capital. Treat distances seriously: a short stretch on the map can swallow a full day. Plan flexibly, and the steppe will reward you.
How the List Was Created
The list of best festivals in Mongolia is created based on energy, traditions, crowd experience, activities, and overall excitement. If you feel a festival is missing in this list, please let us know.

When to go?Seasonal Guide to Visiting

Best months for festivals: July is the best month for festivals in Mongolia because the short summer brings green grass, warm days of roughly 20 to 28°C in the central steppe, and the national summer celebrations. Roads are passable and ger camps run at full capacity. Rain peaks in July and August, usually in sudden afternoon downpours, with annual precipitation of only about 200 to 300 mm around Ulaanbaatar. Bring a waterproof layer and expect nights to drop to 8 to 12°C.
Shoulder seasons: June and August sit just beside the peak. Prices for tours, jeeps and ger camps drop noticeably compared with July, often by 10 to 25 percent, and crowds thin out. Late September to early October opens the window for the western Altai region, where autumn days hover around 0 to 10°C and nights fall below … read more 👉
Best months for festivals: July is the best month for festivals in Mongolia because the short summer brings green grass, warm days of roughly 20 to 28°C in the central steppe, and the national summer celebrations. Roads are passable and ger camps run at full capacity. Rain peaks in July and August, usually in sudden afternoon downpours, with annual precipitation of only about 200 to 300 mm around Ulaanbaatar. Bring a waterproof layer and expect nights to drop to 8 to 12°C.
Shoulder seasons: June and August sit just beside the peak. Prices for tours, jeeps and ger camps drop noticeably compared with July, often by 10 to 25 percent, and crowds thin out. Late September to early October opens the window for the western Altai region, where autumn days hover around 0 to 10°C and nights fall below freezing. Snow can close high passes, so allow spare days. Spring is a poor choice for travel: dust storms, mud and cold nights of -5 to 5°C in April and May make driving unpredictable, and few events run.
Winter: Winter, from December to March, is for committed explorers. Daytime highs sit around -15 to -5°C in Ulaanbaatar and can plunge to -30°C or lower in the north and the west. Tourist services shrink: many ger camps close, and shared transport runs less often. You gain empty landscapes, local prices and clear blue skies, but need proper gear, including insulated boots rated to -30°C, plus a driver who knows frozen roads.
Booking pressure: Around the peak July dates, book flights, hostel beds and drivers at least two to three months ahead. In the western provinces, book as soon as the dates are confirmed.

festival hoppingPlanning Your Route Efficiently

How long a multi-festival trip takes: A trip combining several festivals in Mongolia needs 14 to 21 days, because distances are huge and roads slow. Overland speeds on unpaved tracks average 30 to 50 km/h, so a 300 km leg can take most of a day. Treat travel as part of the journey, not a gap to be squeezed.
Which regions group well: Central Mongolia clusters naturally. Ulaanbaatar, Kharkhorin, the Orkhon Valley and Khövsgöl link by paved and semi-paved roads, with 4 to 8 hours between stops. The Gobi forms a second cluster reached south from the capital, with 8 to 10 hours of driving to Dalanzadgad or a 1.5 hour flight. The far west, centered on Ölgii, is its own world. Fly there from Ulaanbaatar in about 3 hours, and reckon on 2 to 3 days minimum for any stop in Bayan-Ölgii. Overland from … read more 👉
How long a multi-festival trip takes: A trip combining several festivals in Mongolia needs 14 to 21 days, because distances are huge and roads slow. Overland speeds on unpaved tracks average 30 to 50 km/h, so a 300 km leg can take most of a day. Treat travel as part of the journey, not a gap to be squeezed.
Which regions group well: Central Mongolia clusters naturally. Ulaanbaatar, Kharkhorin, the Orkhon Valley and Khövsgöl link by paved and semi-paved roads, with 4 to 8 hours between stops. The Gobi forms a second cluster reached south from the capital, with 8 to 10 hours of driving to Dalanzadgad or a 1.5 hour flight. The far west, centered on Ölgii, is its own world. Fly there from Ulaanbaatar in about 3 hours, and reckon on 2 to 3 days minimum for any stop in Bayan-Ölgii. Overland from the capital takes 2 to 3 days of hard driving, so most travelers fly.
Direction of travel: Start in Ulaanbaatar, where you can book transport and adjust to the altitude (about 1,350 m). Loop through the center, then head west by plane if the calendar demands it, and finish where flights home are easy. If the western stop is in autumn and the central one in summer, do the central leg first and treat the west as a separate extension.
Time per stop: Allow 2 to 3 days at each festival location, which covers arrival, the event itself and a buffer. In remote areas, 4 days is safer.
Common planning mistakes: Travelers often cram three regions into ten days and spend everything in a jeep. Choose two regions and go deeper. Another error is booking tight flight connections; Mongolian domestic flights get delayed or canceled in bad weather, so leave a spare day before any fixed date. Also avoid arriving on the festival morning. Arrive the day before, when you can secure a bed, ask locals about timing and spot the best viewing position.

The ListThe Best festivals of Mongolia

1 Naadam

wrestling, horse racing, archery

Join crowds for Mongolia’s largest festival, where competitors in traditional dress test their strength, speed, and precision.

2 Golden Eagle Festival

eagle falconry, Kazakh traditions, rugged mountains

Observe skilled hunters and their golden eagles in timed contests, surrounded by the dramatic landscapes of Bayan-Ölgii province.

3 Tsagaan Sar

lunar new year, family gatherings, traditional foods

Mark the Mongolian new year by visiting homes, sharing festive meals, and observing customs that honor ancestors and community ties.

4 Thousand Camel Festival

camel races, Gobi herders, Bactrian camels

Watch camel herders parade and race their animals, celebrating the importance of Bactrian camels in desert life and culture.

5 Altai Kazakh Festival

Kazakh culture, eagle hunters, western steppe

Join Kazakh families in the Altai for eagle hunting displays, traditional music, and competitions that highlight nomadic customs.

6 Khovsgol Ice Festival

frozen lake, ice sports, northern Mongolia

Experience winter on the vast frozen surface of Lake Khovsgol, where locals compete in ice wrestling, horse sled races, and traditional games.

7 Yak Festival

yak races, herder skills, mountain pastures

Watch herders showcase yak riding, milking, and lassoing in high-altitude valleys, offering a close look at rural Mongolian life.

8 Danshig Naadam

Buddhist rituals, wrestling, Ulaanbaatar gathering

Attend a festival blending religious ceremonies with wrestling and archery, rooted in Mongolia’s Buddhist heritage and national identity.

9 Nomads Festival

horseback archery, nomadic sports, steppe contests

See athletes compete in horseback games and ancient skills, reflecting the daily realities and traditions of Mongolia’s nomads.

Loading the map 🌍

Expert viewInsights from Locals and Experts

How many to attend: Two festivals in a single trip is the number I advise, three at the very most. Mongolia's distances turn every extra event into days of driving, and a rushed visit leaves you watching through a jeep window instead of standing in the crowd. Two lets you pair one big, loud gathering with one small, quiet one, and still have time to sit in a ger with a herder family. You get the dust, the horse hooves and the shared airag bowl without burning out.
Choosing a kind: Sports festivals suit most first-timers: they are loud, easy to follow and open to all. Pick a village version if you want low cost and real local company, or the capital if you need easy transport and a bed guaranteed. Cultural and religious ceremonies fit travelers who like slow, atmospheric days, but go with a … read more 👉
How many to attend: Two festivals in a single trip is the number I advise, three at the very most. Mongolia's distances turn every extra event into days of driving, and a rushed visit leaves you watching through a jeep window instead of standing in the crowd. Two lets you pair one big, loud gathering with one small, quiet one, and still have time to sit in a ger with a herder family. You get the dust, the horse hooves and the shared airag bowl without burning out.
Choosing a kind: Sports festivals suit most first-timers: they are loud, easy to follow and open to all. Pick a village version if you want low cost and real local company, or the capital if you need easy transport and a bed guaranteed. Cultural and religious ceremonies fit travelers who like slow, atmospheric days, but go with a guide or a local contact so you understand what you see. The western eagle events suit photographers and anyone happy to trade comfort for an epic backdrop. Winter gatherings suit cold-tolerant adventurers with flexible schedules. If time is short, stay central and skip the far west.
What it costs: Budget US$40 to 70 a day for independent travel in Mongolia, covering a hostel bed or ger camp (US$10 to 30), local meals (US$4 to 10) and some transport. Add a hired jeep and driver at roughly US$100 to 150 a day, split among up to 4 people, when you head beyond the main roads. Entry to major events ranges from free in provincial fields to around US$10 to 30 for seats at the main stadium. A local guide or interpreter runs US$40 to 80 a day and is worth it for ceremonies where etiquette matters. Domestic flights to the west cost roughly US$150 to 250 each way. Carry tugriks in small notes, because cash rules in rural areas.
Safety on the ground: Crowds at big events are friendly, but pickpockets work the capital's stadium and the packed rows; keep your phone and wallet in a front pocket or zipped bag. Horse racing happens on open ground with riders and animals galloping past, so stay behind marked lines and never step onto the track. Weather can swing from sun to hail within an hour, so carry a rain shell and a warm layer even in July. Drinking is common at festivals, and drunk drivers share the road, so avoid night driving on rural tracks. Pay attention to altitude and sun: the steppe offers no shade, and sunscreen and a wide hat pay off by midday.
Cultural manners: Ask before photographing riders, wrestlers or elders, and tip a few thousand tugriks if you pose with an eagle handler. Accept offered food or drink with your right hand, supported by the left at the elbow. Taking a sip or a taste is polite even if you do not finish it. Never step on a ger threshold or point your feet at the hearth. At Buddhist ceremonies walk clockwise around sacred objects, and at an ovoo cairn do the same three times. Dress modestly at religious sites, and keep voices low during rituals. Do this and you will be welcomed to the table, and that is where the real stories of the steppe are told.

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best Stay Options in Mongolia

Backpacking Mongolia is easy on the wallet, with dorm beds in Ulaanbaatar running roughly US$8 to 15 a night, and most hostels doubling as tour desks that set up the multi-day jeep trips to the countryside, while outside the capital you sleep in family-run guesthouses or ger camps in towns like Kharkhorin and Mörön. In the capital, the densest cluster sits in central Sükhbaatar District around Peace Avenue and Sükhbaatar Square, where you can walk to the museums, cafés and the bars of Seoul Street, though traffic noise and pickpockets near the State Department Store come with the location. West toward Gandan Monastery, beds are a little cheaper and nights quieter, but you will lean on buses … read more 👉
Backpacking Mongolia is easy on the wallet, with dorm beds in Ulaanbaatar running roughly US$8 to 15 a night, and most hostels doubling as tour desks that set up the multi-day jeep trips to the countryside, while outside the capital you sleep in family-run guesthouses or ger camps in towns like Kharkhorin and Mörön. In the capital, the densest cluster sits in central Sükhbaatar District around Peace Avenue and Sükhbaatar Square, where you can walk to the museums, cafés and the bars of Seoul Street, though traffic noise and pickpockets near the State Department Store come with the location. West toward Gandan Monastery, beds are a little cheaper and nights quieter, but you will lean on buses or taxis to reach the center and its nightlife.

If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option.

Best hostels in Mongolia


Best quality hotels in Mongolia

MongoliaWhere to Go Next

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