A feast for the senses filled with culture and pageantry, the Naadam Festival is Mongolia's biggest celebration of the year, held July 11–15, 2026. During Naadam, Mongolians honor their heritage and compete in the Three Manly Sports: wrestling, archery and horse racing.

Nomadic Life and Naadam

Any visit to Mongolia is unforgettable, but a trip during Naadam is simply magical, as the entire nation celebrates and showcases nomadic culture. Join Blue Silk Travel, July 9–21, 2026, for Nomadic Life and Naadam, our exclusive small group journey across Mongolia featuring the best of the Naadam Festival!

On the morning of July 11, Mongolians gather at Ulaanbaatar's National Central Stadium for the Naadam Opening Ceremony, a grand celebration of Mongolian dance, music and culture. Attending the ceremony is a dream of travelers and Mongolians alike. Blue Silk Travel guarantees sought-after opening ceremony tickets for our travelers.

In 2026, Naadam commemorates the 105th anniversary of the Mongolian Revolution, the 820th anniversary of the Mongol Empire and the 2,235th anniversary of the Hunnu Empire.

During Naadam, horses race long distance across the open steppe. Horses are categorized by age, while jockeys are children who ride bareback.

Thousands of spectators pack the fairgrounds outside Ulaanbaatar for the Naadam horse races. Blue Silk Travel provides tickets for seats in the exclusive reserved section near the finish line so our travelers can enjoy the festivities while being assured of an excellent view.

Wrestling in the National Naadam Festival takes place in the National Central Stadium in Ulaanbaatar. The nation's top 512 wrestlers compete for two days in nine untimed, single-elimination rounds.

Mongolian wrestling is a complex, tradition-rich sport. Our tour leaders' knowledge helps Blue Silk Travel guests understand and enjoy the action on the field.

Mongolia's archery prowess has shaped world history, allowing Genghis Khan to conquer the world. The National Naadam Festival features both men's and women's competitions at the National Archery Field next to Ulaanbaatar's Naadam Stadium.

Naadam is paradise for photography enthusiasts. Thanks to our years of experience with the Naadam Festival, Blue Silk Travel provides travelers tips on getting the best shots of archery and the rest of Naadam.

In the tradition-rich game of anklebone shooting, competitors fling a domino-like deer antler bullet, trying to knock down a row of sheep anklebones.

The chanting and passion of the shooters make anklebone shooting a traveler favorite, but it's easy to overlook when trying to "Do Naadam" in one day. By spreading out our time at Naadam across multiple days, Blue Silk Travel lets visitors enjoy all facets of the festival.

Naadam celebrations extend beyond just the opening ceremony and sports competitions. In the days around the Naadam Festival, Ulaanbaatar is filled with cultural events. From the Mongolian Deel Festival, an annual celebration of Mongolian clothing, to special exhibits at museums and galleries, to public concerts on Sukhbaatar Square, the city offers something for everyone.