Naadam Festival Mongolia: A Traveler’s Guide to Mongolia’s Biggest Celebration
- Jan 16
- 5 min read
Naadam is a traditional Mongolian festival that dates back hundreds of years. It celebrates Mongolia’s independence, strength, and nomadic heritage. At the heart of the festival are the famous “Three Manly Games”:
Wrestling
Horse Racing
Archery
But Naadam is not just about sports. It is a vibrant cultural celebration filled with music, traditional clothing, local cuisine, and colorful ceremonies that bring communities together across the country.
The main Naadam Festival takes place every year from July 11 to July 13 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital. This is the largest and most spectacular celebration, featuring a grand opening ceremony, parades, and national competitions.
However, smaller local Naadam festivals are also held across the country throughout July, especially in rural provinces. Many travelers prefer these countryside festivals for a more authentic and less crowded experience, where you can connect closely with local families and traditions.
The Three Manly Games Explained
1. Mongolian Wrestling
Wrestling is the most popular sport at Naadam. Known locally as Bökh, it has no weight classes, and matches continue until one wrestler touches the ground with any part of the body other than the feet.
Wrestlers wear colorful traditional outfits and perform an eagle dance before each match, symbolizing strength and pride.
2. Horse Racing
Unlike modern racetracks, Mongolian horse races take place across the open steppe. Races can range from 15 to 30 kilometers, and the jockeys are often children.
The sight of hundreds of horses racing across the vast grasslands is breathtaking and reflects the deep bond between Mongolians and their horses—a connection shaped by centuries of nomadic life.
3. Archery
Archery competitions are calm but intense. Both men and women compete using traditional bows, aiming at small targets from long distances.
Archers wear beautiful traditional clothing and are encouraged with rhythmic chants from teammates and spectators, creating a unique and ceremonial atmosphere.
During Naadam, Mongolia truly comes alive:
People proudly wear traditional deel clothing
Streets fill with music, dancing, and parades
You can taste traditional foods like khuushuur (fried dumplings), buuz, and airag (fermented mare’s milk)
Families gather, celebrate, and warmly welcome visitors
Many travelers say Naadam feels like stepping back in time—into the living history of Mongolia.
Travel Tips for Visiting Naadam
Book early: Hotels and tours fill up quickly in July
Arrive a few days early to adjust and explore Ulaanbaatar
Dress comfortably and prepare for hot days and cool evenings
Respect local traditions, especially during ceremonies
Consider visiting a countryside Naadam for a more intimate experience
Naadam Festival Mongolia: A Traveler’s Guide to Mongolia’s Biggest Celebration
Naadam is the perfect introduction to Mongolia. It showcases the country’s pride, resilience, and nomadic heritage in a powerful and colorful way.
Whether you are passionate about culture, history, photography, or adventure travel, the Naadam Festival offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience that truly captures the heart of Mongolia.
1. What is the best month to attend the Naadam Festival in Mongolia?
The peak time to experience the national Naadam Festival is in July, with the official national celebrations held annually from July 11 to July 13.
2. What are the "Three Manly Games" celebrated during Naadam?
The heart of the Naadam Festival revolves around three traditional sports testing nomadic skills: Mongolian wrestling (Bökh), long-distance horse racing across the open steppe, and traditional archery.
3. Where is the main Naadam Festival held?
The largest, most formal national celebration is held in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar at the National Sports Stadium, while the horse racing events take place on the open grasslands of Khui Doloon Khudag, about 30 kilometers west of the city.
4. Can I experience Naadam outside of Ulaanbaatar?
Yes, smaller provincial (Aimag) and village (Soum) Naadam festivals take place across rural Mongolia throughout July, offering travelers a highly authentic, less crowded, and intimate look at local herder traditions.
5. How do I get tickets to the Naadam opening ceremony in Ulaanbaatar?
Opening ceremony tickets are highly sought after and usually go on sale in late May or June; because stadium capacity is strictly limited, it is best to secure your entrance pass through a pre-booked travel package with an expert operator like Vacations Mongolia.
6. What is the unofficial "fourth manly game" of Naadam?
Anklebone shooting (Shagai) is the unofficial fourth sport of the festival, where players use a customized bone toggle to flick domino-like sheep anklebones at a target grid with intense precision.
7. What is unique about Mongolian horse racing at Naadam?
Unlike Western track racing, Mongolian races are epic tests of endurance held over 15 to 30 kilometers of open steppe terrain, featuring hundreds of native horses ridden by highly skilled child jockeys aged 5 to 13.
8. What do the traditional outfits worn by Mongolian wrestlers signify?
Wrestlers wear a unique open-chest jacket (zodog) and tight shorts (shuudag); historical legend states the open-front design was mandated to guarantee all competitors are men after a woman famously won the tournament centuries ago.
9. What is the "Eagle Dance" performed by Mongolian wrestlers?
Before and after each single-elimination match, wrestlers perform a stylized eagle dance (devekh) around the state flag to mimic the grace, strength, and soaring power of a bird of prey.
10. Do women compete in the Naadam Festival sports?
Yes, women proudly compete alongside men in the traditional archery tournaments and girls frequently ride as jockeys in the horse races, though the wrestling category remains exclusively male.
11. What is the official street food to eat during the Naadam Festival?
The ultimate festival food is khuushuur, a crispy, deep-fried flat pastry pocket filled with minced mutton or beef that locals eat by hand hot off the grill.
12. What traditional drink should I try at the festival grounds?
You should try airag, a traditional nomadic beverage made from fermented mare’s milk that is slightly sour, mildly alcoholic (around 2%), and deeply refreshing during hot summer days.
13. What is the State Nine White Banners ceremony?
To officially kick off Naadam in Ulaanbaatar, horse soldiers in traditional military uniforms ceremonially escort the State Nine White Banners—made of white stallion horse hair—from the Government Palace across Sukhbaatar Square to the National Stadium.
14. What should I wear when attending the Naadam Festival?
While comfortable, sun-protective casual clothing is recommended, many locals and tourists proudly wear a deel, the elegant, brightly colored traditional Mongolian tunic, often paired with modern accessories.
15. Can I combine a Gobi Desert tour with a Naadam Festival itinerary?
Yes, highly recommended packages, like those from Vacations Mongolia, combine a 1 to 2-day immersion at a Naadam celebration with a multi-day 4x4 overland expedition to see Gobi highlights like the Flaming Cliffs and Khongor Sand Dunes.
16. Is the Naadam Festival suitable for family travel with young children?
Yes, families love the festive atmosphere, grand parades, colorful traditional costume shows like the "Deeltei Mongol" parade, and the open-air countryside horse races, though staying hydrated and sun-protected is vital.
17. How far in advance should I book a Mongolia Naadam tour?
You should book your tour 6 to 9 months in advance, as July is peak tourist season across Mongolia and international flights, domestic connections, central hotels, and premium ger camps sell out rapidly.
18. What photography rules should I follow at the festival?
Naadam is a photographer’s paradise; however, you should always be respectful, avoid walking into the direct paths of active archers or racing horses, and ask for permission before taking close-up portraits of athletes or local families.
19. Why is the Naadam Festival culturally significant to Mongolians?
Inscribed on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Naadam traces its roots back to ancient military training exercises under Chinggis Khan, serving today as a powerful symbol of national independence, pride, and nomadic survival.
20. Why should I use a local tour operator for a Naadam trip?
Booking with a local expert like Vacations Mongolia guarantees your festival tickets, coordinates all airport transfers and 4x4 transport between the spread-out event sites, and provides English-speaking guides to decode the rules of the games so you do not miss a single historic detail.
Comments