Looking for the best festival in Mongolia for 2025? From vibrant city celebrations in Ulaanbaatar to breathtaking regional traditions, festivals in Mongolia in 2025 promise unforgettable moments for every type of traveler. Whether you’re planning your first visit or returning for more, this guide covers the top festivals in Mongolia.
1. Ulaanbaatar Winter Festival – January 27-28
Where: Ulaanbaatar city
Winter games at the Ulaanbaatar Winter Festival
📝 Celebrate Mongolia’s stunning winter season, rich traditions, and unique culture at the Ulaanbaatar Winter Festival! This exciting event introduces locals to thrilling winter sports and activities while passing on cherished values to the younger generation. It’s the perfect opportunity for families to come together and enjoy one of the most beloved festivals in Mongolia.
🎉 Festival Highlights
- Curling, ice archery, sleigh rides
- Snowboarding, alpine skiing, and family relays
- Tug-of-war competitions & parachute show
💡 Pro Tip: The temperature hovers around -10°C, so make sure to bundle up and embrace the winter outdoors while creating lasting memories with your loved ones. Try not to let the cold bother you. The fun and warmth of the festival will keep you energized!
2. Thousand Camel Festival – February 1-3
Where: Umnugobi province
Меdее.mn
📝 Experience the culture of Bactrian camels! Organized by local herders, this festival promotes the preservation of Bactrian camels. The festival includes camel races, polo matches, and traditional Mongolian music and dance. Visitors can even ride camels across the vast Gobi landscape.
🎉 Festival Highlights
- Camel races & polo matches
- Traditional Mongolian music and dance
- Camel rides across the Gobi
💡 Pro Tip: This traditional Mongolian festival offers a unique opportunity to experience the nomadic lifestyle and get up close with one of Mongolia’s iconic animals, the Bactrian camel.
3. Khuvsgul Ice Festival – February 13-23
Where: Khuvsgul province
Festivals in Mongolia during the wintertime
📝 Discover the Blue Pearl of Mongolia at the Ice Festival! Held at Mongolia’s largest freshwater lake, this festival offers a captivating blend of ice sculpting, horse sledding, and even ice sumo wrestling. The frozen lake turns into a lively playground, with reindeer herders from the north participating in vibrant cultural exhibitions.
🎉 Festival Highlights
- Ice sculpting & horse sledding
- Ice sumo wrestling
- Cultural exhibitions by northern reindeer herders
💡 Pro Tip: With over 50,000 visitors last year, this festival’s popularity continues to soar, offering a one-of-a-kind chance to immerse yourself in Mongolia’s winter charm.
4. UB Food Festival – April 8-14
Where: Ulaanbaatar city
📝 A flavorful kickoff to Mongolia’s tourism season! The UB Food Festival returns this May, showcasing a rich mix of traditional and international cuisine. Though typically held in August, the event is moved to spring this year to align with the launch of the tourism season.
🎉 Festival Highlights
- This year’s spotlight is on Uzbekistan, with an Uzbek master chef presenting signature dishes like plov, shashlik, kazan kebab, and samsa. A special highlight is the preparation of these dishes in a one-ton iron cauldron by monks from the Central Monastery.
- Visitors can enjoy DJ sets & live music, the Ulaanbaatar Theatre show, food competitions, and more. This is the typical vibe of festivals in Ulaanbaatar.
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t set your expectations too high, especially when it comes to Mongolian cuisine, which is heavily meat-based. If you’re not big on meat, it might not be your favorite. Instead, come with an open mind, enjoy the atmosphere, and take the chance to experience another country’s culinary traditions firsthand.
5. Power Expo & Festival – May 9-11
Where: Ulaanbaatar city
Festivals in Ulaanbaatar
📝 A must-see for auto and motorcycle enthusiasts! The Power Expo Festival, formerly known as the “Vip Auto Moto Festival,” is Mongolia’s largest and one of the best festivals in Ulaanbaatar for auto and motorcycle enthusiasts. It’s an exciting event that highlights exhibitions from the best athletes and showcases the latest in the auto and motorcycle industries.
🎉 Festival Highlights
- Auto and motorcycle exhibitions
- Thrilling competitions with athletes from Mongolia, China, and Japan
- A dynamic platform for innovation and skill
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re a fan of motorsports or looking for an adrenaline rush, the Power Expo Festival is the place to be!
6. Shaman Festival – May 24-27
Where: Hui Doloon Hudag, Ulaanbaatar City
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Did you know that many Mongolians follow Tengerism, or sky worship, rather than Buddhism? Tengerism has been central to Mongolian spirituality since the time of Chinggis Khan. That’s why the Shaman festival is one of the oldest traditional festivals in Mongolia. In 2023, the Shamans Association and Ulaanbaatar’s Tourism Department started organizing the international Shaman Festival to celebrate this unique tradition.
🎉 Festival Highlights
- Last year, around 900 shamans from 27 countries participated, including Mongolia, South Korea, France, Poland, the USA, Canada, Russia, China, Japan, and others.
- You’ll see a variety of traditional shamanic rituals, including sun worship, honoring the shamanic flag, and ceremonies for world peace.
- Shamans from different countries showcase their rituals, each with their own unique traditions and customs.
💡 Pro Tip: The Shaman Festival is a unique opportunity to explore Mongolia’s spiritual heritage. Especially if you come from a different religious background, the festival will immerse you in a world of ancient rituals and beliefs. And it’s not just during the festival, mountain worship ceremonies and other shamanic rituals take place throughout the year in Mongolia.
7. Ulaanbaatar Marathon – May 25
Where: Ulaanbaatar city
📝 Race through Ulaanbaatar! The Ulaanbaatar Marathon has attracted thousands of participants from around the world since 2014. The event transforms the city into a car-free zone, creating a vibrant atmosphere for both athletes and spectators. It’s one of the best festivals in Ulaanbaatar for active people.
🎉 Festival Highlights
- 5 km, 21 km, and family runs
- Global participation from over 30,000 runners
- A unique chance to explore Ulaanbaatar on foot
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t miss this annual event where Ulaanbaatar becomes a vibrant, car-free city for the day, perfect for runners and spectators alike!
8. PlayTime Festival – July 4-7
Where: Ulaanbaatar city
📝 Mongolia’s ultimate music festival! For 23 years, PlayTime has been a favorite among Mongolia’s youth, featuring local talents and world-famous bands. With past performances by artists like Cigarettes After Sex, it’s earned its place as one of the best festivals in Ulaanbaatar.
🎉 Festival Highlights
- A diverse lineup of a mix of local and international music acts
- A celebration of music, fashion, and unforgettable moments
- An opportunity to experience Mongolia’s vibrant youth culture
💡 Pro Tip: Whether you’re into indie rock or electronic beats, PlayTime has something for every music lover, a true celebration of sound and style! Think of it as Mongolia’s version of Coachella. So dress to impress and immerse yourself in the vibrant vibe of PlayTime!
9. Naadam Festival – July 11–15
Where: Nationwide (The largest celebration in Ulaanbaatar)
Highlight of the traditional Mongolian festival – СNN
📝 The most significant and traditional Mongolian festival, Naadam, often referred to as the “Three Manly Games,” is a national celebration of wrestling, horse racing, and archery, traditional sports dating back to the Mongol Empire. As a public holiday, some local shops and businesses may be closed for up to 4 days.
By the way, please note that Naadam celebrations in each province and soum may vary from the national dates or follow their own schedule. For the specific Naadam dates in each province, visit Enaadam.mn.
🎉 Festival Highlights
- Wrestling, horse racing, and archery competitions take place across Mongolia. During Naadam, you’ll see Mongolians dressed in their traditional “deel” almost everywhere. The sight of horseback riders, especially on the Naadam field, feels like stepping back into the 13th century, the era of Great Chinggis Khan.
- In Ulaanbaatar, the grand opening ceremony at the National Sports Stadium officially marks the start of Naadam nationwide, featuring performances that bring Mongolian history, music, and dance to life. While every province hosts its own opening ceremony, each has its own unique touch.
- Horse racing in Ulaanbaatar takes place at Hui Doloon Hudag, 32 km from the city center. In provinces and soums, races happen near their central areas. Imagine horse races unfolding in the vast, open steppe, surrounded by tents selling food, toys, and just about everything you’d find at a Naadam festival.
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re planning to watch Naadam’s grand opening, check here for the agenda and schedule in Ulaanbaatar and all 21 provinces. In Ulaanbaatar, the grand opening takes place at the National Sports Stadium, and tickets often sell out quickly, so it’s best to get yours as early as possible!
10. Danshig Naadam – August 3-4
Where: In Ulaanbaatar – Hui Doloon Hudag
Zindaa.mn
📝 Similar to Naadam, the Danshig Naadam is like a mini traditional Mongolian festival. It features horse racing, wrestling, archery, and bone knuckling. While Naadam is celebrated for its deep cultural significance, the Danshig Naadam stands out for its strong spiritual and cultural roots.
First organized in 2015 in collaboration with Mongolian Buddhist monasteries and the Office of the Governor of the Capital, Danshig Naadam commemorates the 380th anniversary of Bogd Undur Gegen Zanabazar, Mongolia’s first religious leader. It revives traditions that once played a key role in Mongolia’s Buddhist heritage.
🎉 Festival Highlights
- Tsam Dance – A mesmerizing ritual performed during a traditional Mongolian festival, where dancers wear elaborate masks and costumes to embody characters from Buddhist legends. This sacred tradition is believed to purify negative energy and ward off evil spirits.
- Special Exhibitions – During Naadam and Danshig Naadam, the Bogd Khan Palace Museum hosts exclusive exhibits like “Dance of the Mascots” 그리고 “Assembly of the Twenty-One Forms of Tara,” offering a glimpse into Mongolia’s rich spiritual traditions.
- Monks’ Competition: A unique highlight of the Naadam is the monastic competitions, where Buddhist monks showcase their spiritual skills and knowledge. Such as “Chanting Masters or Unzad”, monks who lead sacred Buddhist chants with deep, rhythmic voices, creating a mesmerizing experience.
💡 Pro Tip: It’s clear that Mongolians have a deep love for celebrating their heritage. Take a chance and visit religious museums like the Bogd Khan Palace Museum. It will be an unforgettable experience.
11. Spirit of Gobi – August 8-11
Where: Umnugobi province
📝 Contemporary art & Electronic music festival! Held in the expansive 고비 사막, this unique traditional Mongolian festival blends traditional folk songs with the pulsating rhythms of electronic music. It offers an artistic exploration of modern human relations, light, energy, and time, all set against the dramatic landscape of the desert.
🎉 Festival Highlights
- Folk music & electronic music fusion
- Artistic performances on themes of human relations, light, and energy
- Celebration of Mongolia’s heritage and wisdom
💡 Pro Tip: The festival can be the best festival when it comes to embracing the ideals of humanistic morality and harmony, inviting visitors to reflect on the importance of protecting our motherland, an unforgettable experience set in the heart of Mongolia’s vast desert.
12. The Golden Eagle Festival – September 17-18
Where: Bayan-Ölgii province
One of the oldest traditional Mongolian festivals – iKon.mn
📝 Celebrate the ancient tradition of eagle hunting! This festival showcases the skills of Kazakh eagle hunters as they release their trained golden eagles to catch prey. Visitors can also enjoy horse racing, archery contests, and cultural performances.
🎉 Festival Highlights
- Eagle hunting displays
- Horse racing & archery contests
- Traditional performances
💡 Pro Tip: The Eagle Festival is the most photogenic event in Mongolia. Make sure your camera is ready to capture the beauty of the golden eagles in action!
13. Book Festival – May 23-25 & September 12-14
Where: Ulaanbaatar city
📝 A celebration of Mongolia’s literary tradition! The UB Book Fair and National Book Festival bring together authors, translators, and publishers from across Mongolia and beyond. These literary events draw an average of 250,000 visitors each year, highlighting the popularity of these festivals in Ulaanbaatar.
🎉 Festival Highlights
- Over 200 publishers and 300 authors
- Thousands of books to explore and purchase
- A celebration of Mongolia’s growing literary culture
💡 Pro Tip: With an average of ₮10 billion spent on books every year, the Book Festivals in Ulaanbaatar, held twice a year, offer a fantastic opportunity to dive into Mongolia’s literary world and support local authors!
Mark Your Calendar for Mongolia’s Best Festivals!
If you’re lucky enough to visit in 2025, don’t miss out on these top events in Ulaanbaatar. The best festivals in Mongolia offer a diverse experience that goes beyond typical tourism, immersing you in the heart of Mongolian culture.
작성자:: 쿨란 멘사이칸
자주 묻는 질문:
1. What are the best festivals in Ulaanbaatar in 2025?
Ulaanbaatar hosts some of the most vibrant and exciting festivals in Mongolia, including the Naadam Festival, which features traditional sports, music, and performances. Additionally, the Food, Book, and PlayTime Festival is the popular events that showcase the city’s cultural vibrancy and artistic expression.
2. When is the best time to visit Mongolia for festivals?
The best time to visit Mongolia for festivals is during the summer months, especially in 7월 for the Naadam Festival, which is a national celebration of Mongolia’s culture. For those seeking winter festivals, the Khuvsgul Ice Festival in February offers a unique experience of Mongolian winter traditions.
3. Are there any unique cultural festivals in Mongolia’s countryside?
Yes! Mongolia’s countryside offers a variety of unique festivals, such as the Gobi Camel Festival in the Gobi Desert, which celebrates traditional camel races, and the Mongolian Eagle Festival in the Altai Mountains, where visitors can witness incredible falconry displays and cultural performances.
4. What are the winter festivals in Ulaanbaatar?
For now, only the Ulaanbaatar Winter Ice Festival is an annual event held in the capital, featuring ice sculptures, ice fishing, and traditional winter sports. It’s a great way to experience Mongolia’s winter culture and explore its unique winter traditions in a lively urban setting.
5. Can I participate in the festivals or do I just watch?
While many of Mongolia’s festivals are spectator events, there are also opportunities for visitors to participate. For example, during the Naadam Festival, tourists can try traditional Mongolian games like archery or wrestling. Additionally, some rural festivals allow visitors to join in cultural activities like horseback riding and traditional music performances.
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