Naadam festival, (11-12 July 2024), is the happiest time in Mongolia. (national holiday July 10-15)
It is also the peak of the tourist season.
In Mongolian Naadam is known as "eriin gurvan naadam" (эрийн гурван наадам),
meaning - the 3 games of men. The 3 games are horse racing, archery and Mongolian wrestling.
A large number of wrestlers (1024 in all ) will compete.
Some call it the Nomadic Olympic Games.
These games have existed for centuries and incorporate warrior skills.
The festival is performed throughout the country.
The central ceremonies and competitions are held in Ulaanbaatar.
All national Naadam events will take place in the city (Ulan Bator), except for the horse racing,
which will take place in the Khui Doloon Khudag horse racing fields
located west of Ulaanbaatar on the main road leading to Lun see map
Tickets
Tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies at the central UB stadium will become available only from 1st July 2024. Tour operators and hotels can purchase ahead of time for their customers.
Cost of package tickets for 11 and 12 July 2024 events at the stadium
It is also the peak of the tourist season.
In Mongolian Naadam is known as "eriin gurvan naadam" (эрийн гурван наадам),
meaning - the 3 games of men. The 3 games are horse racing, archery and Mongolian wrestling.
A large number of wrestlers (1024 in all ) will compete.
Some call it the Nomadic Olympic Games.
These games have existed for centuries and incorporate warrior skills.
The festival is performed throughout the country.
The central ceremonies and competitions are held in Ulaanbaatar.
All national Naadam events will take place in the city (Ulan Bator), except for the horse racing,
which will take place in the Khui Doloon Khudag horse racing fields
located west of Ulaanbaatar on the main road leading to Lun see map
Tickets
Tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies at the central UB stadium will become available only from 1st July 2024. Tour operators and hotels can purchase ahead of time for their customers.
Cost of package tickets for 11 and 12 July 2024 events at the stadium
80,000 (green) 100,000 (blue) 150,000 (red) MNT depending on location.
This year is the first time tickets can be purchased online.
https://enaadam.mn/english
Only 2 tickets per purchase
Ask assistance from a local Mongolian
The stadium contains 12,000 seats.
Free bus shuttle during Naadam competitions
Free bus rides to the stadium and to the horse race fields
will run during Naadam events from the following parking lots:
Misheel EXPO Мишээл EXPO
Dunjingarav Дүнжингарав
Train schedule July 10-14 2024
Schedule from the central UB train station
to the horse race: 7:20, 10:55, 14:04, 17:15
from the horse race fields
back to UB: 8:25, 12:10, 15:13, 19:00
Horse racing
Horse racing takes place at the horse racing fields - see Google map of racing location
The racing field is named "khui Doloon Khudag" (Mongolian: Хүй долоон худаг)
Racing during 10-11-12-13 July, each day from 07:00 am to late afternoon.
Deeltei Mongol Festival
Traditional dress festival
July 10th Sukhbaatar Square
These local events are aimed for the local communities, and are free of charge.
Each aimag decides what dates. The dates might change due to internal issues.
Tourists are welcome to join, but there are limited facilities for tourists.
Almost no English is spoken, there are no road signs directing you to the exact location of the Naadam celebration fields, your driver will have to ask around.
The events take place in open fields within a short drive from the Aimag (province) capital city.
* Population index (size of province by number of inhabitants)
Small: up to 10,000 inhabitants
Medium: 10,000 - 50,000 inhabitants
Large: 50,000 - 100,000 inhabitants
Free bus rides to the stadium and to the horse race fields
will run during Naadam events from the following parking lots:
Misheel EXPO Мишээл EXPO
Dunjingarav Дүнжингарав
Train schedule July 10-14 2024
Schedule from the central UB train station
to the horse race: 7:20, 10:55, 14:04, 17:15
from the horse race fields
back to UB: 8:25, 12:10, 15:13, 19:00
 |
| 10-14 July 2024 train schedule with all the in between stations |
Horse racing
Horse racing takes place at the horse racing fields - see Google map of racing location
The racing field is named "khui Doloon Khudag" (Mongolian: Хүй долоон худаг)
Racing during 10-11-12-13 July, each day from 07:00 am to late afternoon.
Deeltei Mongol Festival
Traditional dress festival
July 10th Sukhbaatar Square
Mongolia news in English
https://www.montsame.mn/en/Countryside Naadam
What to expect
Each aimag (province) and each sum (sub division of aimag) will celebrate a 2 day local Naadam festival during July 2024.These local events are aimed for the local communities, and are free of charge.
Each aimag decides what dates. The dates might change due to internal issues.
Tourists are welcome to join, but there are limited facilities for tourists.
Almost no English is spoken, there are no road signs directing you to the exact location of the Naadam celebration fields, your driver will have to ask around.
The events take place in open fields within a short drive from the Aimag (province) capital city.
In contrast to the main spectacular and somewhat touristic events in Ulaanbaatar,
the countryside events give you a much closer point of view,
you get to mingle with the locals,
and experience an authentic and traditional way of celebrating Naadam.
Naadam showcases the 3 Sports of Mongolia - wrestling, horse racing, and archery.
After the opening ceremony on the first day,
you will enjoy 2 days of wrestling, multiple horse races, and an archery event.
The Naadam horse race is 10-30 km long with dozens of local contestants.
Local foods are sold or shared by locals.
You will notice people consume large amounts of airag (fermented mare’s milk),
huushur (fried bread stuffed with meat), and aaruul (dried milk curds),
these are as important to Naadam as watching the events.
The competitions take place about 2-4 km out of the aimag capital city.
Taxis (private vehicles) to the fields cost about 2,000-8,000 MNT. Walking and hitchhiking is an option.
Horse races in some cases are away from the main event fields, and might require another taxi ride.
For better communication, and useful when asking directions -
copy from the table below the Mongolian names of the Aimag (province) and capital city you are heading to.
| Provinces | Naadam | Population* | Capital | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkhangai (Архангай) | Large | Tsetserleg (Цэцэрлэг) | ||||
| Bayan-Ölgii (Баян-Өлгий) | Large | Ölgii (Өлгий) | ||||
| Bayankhongor (Баянхонгор) | Large | Bayankhongor (Баянхонгор) | ||||
| Bulgan (Булган) | Large | Bulgan (Булган) | ||||
| Darkhan-Uul (Дархан-Уул) | Large | Darkhan (Дархан) | ||||
| Dornod (Дорнод) | Large | Choibalsan (Чойбалсан) | ||||
| Dornogovi (Дорноговь) | Large | Sainshand (Сайншанд) | ||||
| Dundgovi (Дундговь) | Medium | Mandalgovi (Мандалговь) | ||||
| Govi-Altai (Говь-Алтай) | Medium | Altai (Алтай) | ||||
| Govisümber (Говьсүмбэр) | Small | Choir (Чойр) | ||||
| Khentii (Хэнтий) | Large | Öndörkhaan (Өндөрхаан) | ||||
| Khovd (Ховд) | Large | Khovd (Ховд) | ||||
| Khövsgöl (Хөвсгөл) | Large | Mörön (Мөрөн) | ||||
| Ömnögovi (Өмнөговь) | Large | Dalanzadgad (Даланзадгад) | ||||
| Orkhon (Орхон) | Large | Erdenet (Эрдэнэт) | ||||
| Övörkhangai (Өвөрхангай) | Large | Arvaikheer (Арвайхээр) | ||||
| Selenge (Сэлэнгэ) | Large | Sükhbaatar (Сүхбаатар) | ||||
| Sükhbaatar (Сүхбаатар) | Large | Baruun-Urt (Баруун-Урт) | ||||
| Töv (Төв) | Large | Zuunmod (Зуунмод) | ||||
| Uvs (Увс) | Large | Ulaangom (Улаангом) | ||||
| Zavkhan (Завхан) | Large | Uliastai (Улиастай) | ||||
| Ulaanbaatar (Улаанбаатар) | 11-12.7 | Central | National Capital |
Small: up to 10,000 inhabitants
Medium: 10,000 - 50,000 inhabitants
Large: 50,000 - 100,000 inhabitants
NATIONAL ANNIVERSARIES
Celebrating the 225th anniversary of the Hun Empire
The establishment of the Hun state (Xiongnu, Хүн улс) by Toumen in the 3rd century BCE
marks the beginning of statehood on the territory of Mongolia.
His son Modu Shanyu conquered and unified various tribes.
At the peak of its power, the Hun confederacy stretched from Lake Baikal in the north (Russia today)
to the Great Wall of China in the south.
Celebrating the 818th anniversary of the Great Mongol Empire
The Mongol Empire was founded by Genghis Khan in 1206. At the peak of its power, the Mongol empire stretched all the way to Europe.
Celebrating the 113th anniversary of National Freedom
During the collapse of the Qing (Chinese) Dynasty in 1911, Mongolia declared independence. Bogd Gegeen was enthroned as Bogd Khaan (Great Khan, or Emperor) of Mongolia on 29 December 1911.
Celebrating the 103 anniversary of the People's Revolution
Under strong Soviet influence, the Mongolian People's Republic was declared in 1921. The revolution against the Chinese began on March 18, 1921 when 400 volunteer troops led by Sukhbaatar attacked the 2000 Chinese garrison in Kyakhta at the northern frontier of Mongolia. The Mongolian People's Party troops and Russian Red Army troops entered Urga (Ulaanbaatar of today) in July 1921.
Celebrating 34th year of democracy
After the breakdown of Soviet communist regimes in late 1989, Mongolia began its own democratic revolution in early 1990, which led to a multi-party system, a new constitution in 1992 and a transition to a market economy.
Past years dates of provinces celebrations 2013, 2014, 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 (2020 2021 Covid years) 2022 2023
The Naadam celebrations in the year of 2024 commemorate the various anniversaries of the Mongolian state through history.
Celebrating the 225th anniversary of the Hun Empire
The establishment of the Hun state (Xiongnu, Хүн улс) by Toumen in the 3rd century BCE
marks the beginning of statehood on the territory of Mongolia.
His son Modu Shanyu conquered and unified various tribes.
At the peak of its power, the Hun confederacy stretched from Lake Baikal in the north (Russia today)
to the Great Wall of China in the south.
 |
| Genghis Khan |
The Mongol Empire was founded by Genghis Khan in 1206. At the peak of its power, the Mongol empire stretched all the way to Europe.
Celebrating the 113th anniversary of National Freedom
During the collapse of the Qing (Chinese) Dynasty in 1911, Mongolia declared independence. Bogd Gegeen was enthroned as Bogd Khaan (Great Khan, or Emperor) of Mongolia on 29 December 1911.
Celebrating the 103 anniversary of the People's Revolution
 |
| Sukhbaatar and Choibalsan, revolution leaders. |
After the breakdown of Soviet communist regimes in late 1989, Mongolia began its own democratic revolution in early 1990, which led to a multi-party system, a new constitution in 1992 and a transition to a market economy.
Past years dates of provinces celebrations 2013, 2014, 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 (2020 2021 Covid years) 2022 2023
