Mongolian Naadam Festival: Strength, Skill, and Tradition
Updated: Oct 20
What is Mongolian NAADAM FESTIVAL?
Naadam is Mongolia's biggest national festival, held every year on 11–13 July. It celebrates the "Three Manly Games" — wrestling, horse racing, and archery — with the main opening ceremony and tournaments at the National Sports Stadium in Ulaanbaatar. Naadam is inscribed on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and every province and village in Mongolia holds its own local naadam in summer.
The Mongolian Naadam Festival is an annual event celebrated in Mongolia, where the country celebrates its rich nomadic culture through a series of traditional sporting events.
When is Mongolian NAADAM FESTIVAL?
The national Naadam Festival takes place every year from 11 to 13 July in Ulaanbaatar, coinciding with Mongolia's National Holiday. Local naadam celebrations in the countryside continue through July and early August, so travelers touring the provinces can often catch a smaller, more intimate naadam as well. The festival is a celebration of Mongolia's ancient nomadic heritage and features three main events, known as the "Three Manly Games of Mongolia".
The Three Manly Games: wrestling, horse racing, and archery
Each of these events has a long and rich history in the country and is seen as a way to honor the bravery of Mongolia's ancestors. The wrestling tournament is the most popular event during the festival. It is an ancient sport that is believed to have been practiced since the Bronze Age. The wrestlers wear traditional costumes and compete in single-elimination rounds over two days. Winning wrestlers earn ranked titles such as Nachin (Falcon), Zaan (Elephant), Arslan (Lion) and, for repeat champions, Avarga (Titan).
The horse racing event is also an important part of the Naadam Festival. Races are held on the open steppe at Khui Doloon Khudag outside Ulaanbaatar, with child jockeys riding distances of 12–27 km depending on the age category of the horses. The winning horse is praised in song and its trainer honored. The archery tournament is the third event of the Naadam Festival.
Archers — both men and women — compete in teams, shooting blunt arrows at small leather targets from about 75 meters for men and 65 meters for women. Judges standing beside the target raise their hands and sing out the results. The Naadam Festival is a great way to experience the ancient culture of Mongolia. It is a time for the people of Mongolia to come together and celebrate their rich history, and it is also a great opportunity for visitors to witness traditions that have been passed down for generations.
Plan your Naadam trip
Ready to see Naadam for yourself? Start with our Naadam Festival 2026 travel guide, taste the festival food in our guide to Mongolian food and drink, and add a few day trips around Ulaanbaatar before or after the festival days.
Naadam Festival FAQ
When is the Naadam Festival held?
The national Naadam is held every year on 11–13 July in Ulaanbaatar. Smaller local naadam festivals take place across the countryside from early July to mid-August.
Where does Naadam take place?
The opening ceremony, wrestling and archery are held at the National Sports Stadium in Ulaanbaatar, while horse racing takes place on the steppe at Khui Doloon Khudag, about 40 km west of the city.
Can tourists attend the Naadam Festival?
Yes. Tourists are welcome, and opening-ceremony tickets are usually arranged through local tour operators because they sell out quickly. July is peak season in Mongolia, so book accommodation and tours well in advance.
What are the three games of Naadam?
Mongolian wrestling, cross-country horse racing and archery — the "Three Manly Games", although women now compete in archery and girls ride in the horse races. Knucklebone shooting (shagai) is also an official Naadam competition.
