Naadam Festival

View on map
Sports & AdventureUlaanbaatar
DatesDates TBA · Usually JulyCheck locally before booking
Duration5 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCompetition, enduranceNaadam is Mongolia's most significant
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: MNT
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

Naadam Festival in Ulaanbaatar

Naadam is Mongolia's national holiday, celebrating the Three Manly Games of wrestling (bokh), archery and horse racing each July 11-13 in Ulaanbaatar. The opening ceremony, wrestling finals and archery take place at the 60,000-seat National Sports Stadium, while horse racing runs on the open steppe at Khui Doloon Khudag, roughly 30 kilometers west of the city.

Each July, Mongolia's capital turns toward a set of games that trace their lineage back to the founding of the Mongol Empire.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Naadam is Mongolia's most significant national holiday, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2010, with games tracing back to Chinggis Khan's 12th- and 13th-century military training exercises

02

The mystery stays covered

The three events - wrestling, archery and horse racing - are known as the Three Manly Games, and Ulaanbaatar hosts the largest staging of the holiday nationwide

03

The city starts moving

The 60,000-seat National Sports Stadium anchors the celebration with its opening ceremony, wrestling finals and archery, while horse racing takes place on the open steppe at Khui Doloon Khudag, letting riders as young as five race across open terrain rather than a constructed track

04

The water draws everyone in

The stadium spectacle and steppe racing together give Ulaanbaatar's Naadam both ceremonial grandeur and a direct connection to Mongolia's nomadic traditions

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Naadam centers on the Three Manly Games - wrestling

Water and renewal

Living ritual

archery and horse racing - which trace back to military training exercises used by Chinggis Khan's forces in the 12th and 13th centuries during the founding of the Mongol Empire

The sacred route

Living ritual

The festival was granted UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status in 2010

The local code

Living ritual

recognizing wrestling

Tradition 5

Living ritual

archery and horsemanship as living traditions still central to Mongolian identity

Tradition 6

Living ritual

with local and regional Naadam festivals held across the country alongside the national celebration in Ulaanbaatar

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually July

Getting around

For route-based days, arrive early and expect normal streets around Ulaanbaatar to work differently.

What to wear

Casual, comfortable clothing suited to July heat works for the stadium events, with sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen) essential for the steppe horse racing at Khui Doloon Khudag...

Safety

At Naadam Festival, respect barriers, moving equipment and marshal guidance; photos are never worth stepping into active areas.

Where to stay

Base yourself where the last trip of the day stays easy, especially if Naadam Festival runs late.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

MNT

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map47.91 N, 106.88 EOpen in Google Maps

Ulaanbaatar, Ulaanbaatar/Nationwide, Mongolia

Nearest airportULN — Buyant-Ukhaa
TransportFor route-based days, arrive early and expect normal streets around Ulaanbaatar to work differently.
Stay areaBase yourself where the last trip of the day stays easy, especially if Naadam Festival runs late.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Ulaanbaatar via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Ulaanbaatar, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for July.Compare faresFestival gearCasual, comfortable clothing suited to July heat works for the stadium events, with sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen) essential for the steppe horse racing at Khui Doloon Khudag, where there is little shade. Closed, sturdy shoes are useful for walking on the open steppe ground around the racing venue, and a light layer helps for cooler mornings and evenings even in summer.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Mongolia and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

We may earn a small commission from trusted travel partners at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Naadam Festival?

Naadam Festival is listed for Past edition: 11–15 July 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Naadam Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

5 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Ulaanbaatar, Ulaanbaatar/Nationwide, Mongolia

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLtoursmongolia.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually July
Source statusOfficial source linked
Related festivals

Continue the route.

Photo pending

Argungu Fishing Festival

Past edition: 11–14 February 2026

Argungu, Nigeria
Photo pending

Bay to Breakers

Past edition: 17 May 2026

San Francisco, United States
Photo pending

Daytona 500

Past edition: 15 February 2026

Daytona Beach, United States
Photo pending

Daytona Bike Week

Past edition: 27 February–8 March 2026

Daytona Beach, United States

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →