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EagleHunters Opening Ceremony

EXPERIENCE MONGOLIA

FESTIVALS and EVENTS

"Despite their different ethnic backgrounds, and being dispersed over such a large area, the nomads share close bonds as they unite against their common hardships … and when they do come together, they play, and they play hard!"

Keegan Benn, NomadsLand

Mongolians love to celebrate, and their festivals are filled with energy, tradition, and community spirit. From ancient customs to modern gatherings, every event is a chance to come together, share food, and enjoy music, dance, and sports.

Naadam, the most famous festival, showcases Mongolia’s “three manly sports”—wrestling, horse racing, and archery. Families gather to cheer on competitors, eat traditional food, and enjoy the festive atmosphere. Tsagaan Sar, the Lunar New Year, is another major celebration where families visit each other, exchange gifts, and feast for days.

Beyond these well-known events, Mongolia has many unique festivals. There are yak festivals, felt festivals, and camel festivals, each celebrating an important part of nomadic life. In the western provinces, the Kazakh people host highly regarded eagle festivals, where skilled hunters compete with their trained golden eagles. These lesser-known events offer visitors an authentic and unforgettable glimpse into Mongolia’s rich cultural traditions.

calendar

18 Feb 2026

Tsagaan Sar marks the Mongolian New Year and is a time for families to gather, exchange gifts, and honour ancestors. Traditional foods like buuz (dumplings) are prepared and shared.

10 Mar 2026

A unique winter celebration on frozen Khuvsgul Lake featuring activities like ice skating, horse sleigh races, dog sledding, and ice sculpture contests.

1 Jul 2026

Fairfield's Private Naadam and Cultural Event is a hands-on cultural immersion into Mongolia's greatest festival, moving beyond spectating to active participation. The day features an opening ceremony, then locals competing in 'The Three Manly Sports' (Wrestling, Archery and Horse Racing).  You are then invited to participate hand-on in wrestling, archery, and anklebone competition. All this is followed up with a traditional Mongolian feast with celebratory khorkhog (meat cooked with hot stones) and khuushuur (fried dumplings).

10 Jul 2026

Often called the "Three Manly Sports," Naadam features traditional wrestling, horse racing, and archery, showcasing the country’s historic skills and nomadic spirit.

23 Jul 2026

Every year on July 23rd, the nomads in the Orkhon Valley host the Yak Festival, a celebration of the yak, an animal central to nomadic life. The day is packed with traditional events that honor the yak's importance. Herders compete in yak racing and show off their skills in handling the animals. There are also demonstrations on how yak wool is traditionally prepared. This festival is an essential cultural event that helps keep yak herding traditions alive and gives everyone a chance to see the unique nomadic lifestyle up close.

9 Sept 2026

Held in western Mongolia, this festival celebrates the ancient tradition of eagle hunting, with competitions in skill, speed, and beauty among Kazakh eagle hunters and their majestic birds. Horsemanship and other events are also a part of these festivals.

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