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Tibet Festival Calendar 2025/2026
| Tibetan Festivals | Tibetan Calendar | 2025 Solar Calendar | 2026 Solar Calendar (Subject to change.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tibetan New Year/Losar Festival | Jan 1 | Feb 28 | Feb 18 |
| Shoton Festival | Jun 30 – Jul 6 | Aug 23 | Aug 12 |
| Saga Dawa Festival | Apr 15 | Jun 11 | May 31 |
| Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival | / | Mar 10 - Apr 10 | Late March to early April |
| Monlam | Jan 15 | Feb 24 | Feb 13 |
| Tashilhunpo Thangka Festival | May 14 - May 16 | Jun 20 - Jun 22 | / |
| Nagqu Horse Racing Festival | Late July | Aug 1 - Aug 15 | Late July to mid August. |
| Bathing Festival | Jul 6 - Jul 12 | Sep 20 - Sep 26 | / |
| Butter Lamp Festival | Jan 15 | Mar 23 | / |
| Fairy Day | Oct 15 | Dec 4 | Dec 4 |
| Ongkor Festival | Late July | Oct 23 | / |
Tibetan New Year Festival (藏历新年) - The Most Important Traditional Festival
The Tibetan New Year Festival, also called Losar, begins on the first day of the Tibetan calendar and spans fifteen days. In 2025, Losar falls on February 28th. This is the most significant holiday of the year for Tibetans, and families throughout the Tibetan plateau participate in religious rituals to usher out the old year and welcome the new.
The festive atmosphere is comparable to the Chinese New Year celebrations you might see in Chinatowns around the world. The first five days of Losar are typically the most vibrant.
| About Tibetan New Year Festival | Details |
|---|---|
| Open celebrations | From the fourth day onwards, you can see Tibetan opera, horse racing, and wrestling performances. |
| Preparations in Every Household | Tibetan people generally begin their New Year preparations one to two months in advance. This includes cleaning the house, painting auspicious symbols on the door with highland barley wine and tsampa, and replacing prayer flags. |
| Celebrations in Every Household | Three things are essential: wearing traditional Tibetan robes, making offerings of Quiema (a ritual container filled with tsampa and barley), and enjoying a family reunion with a feast. |
What's It Like to Attend Tibetan New Year Festival?
For the most intense Tibetan holiday atmosphere, head to Lhasa's Barkhor Street.
You'll encounter Tibetans on the streets greeting each other with "Losar Tashi Delek" (meaning "Happy New Year"). They will likely be on their way to reunite with their families.
During the festive meals, you'll find dishes like Guthuk (a noodle soup), Khapse (fried dough twists), and Kapsey (sweet biscuits). It's also customary to present white silk scarves (khata) to family members as a symbol of good wishes, accompanied by a gentle forehead-to-forehead touch.
How to Plan a Tibet Trip for Tibet New Year Festival?
Why not plan a 5 Days Tibetan New Year Losar Festival Tour? You can see amazing sights like the Potala Palace, and even better, get to hang out with a real Tibetan family!
You'll get to see how they celebrate, make some yummy Tibetan steamed bun together, and toast with barley wine, saying "Tashi Delek!"
Traveling to Tibet is only possible through travel agencies authorized by the Tibet Tourism Bureau. You'll also need a travel agency to help you apply for the Tibet Travel Permit. Asia Odyssey Travel has been operating locally for over ten years and is qualified to assist you in experiencing Tibet during the New Year.
Shoton Festival (雪顿节) - Most Lively Summer Celebration
Another highlight of the Tibet festival is the Shoton Festival, or the Yogurt Festival, as it's commonly known. This vibrant summer festival is a feast for the senses, featuring captivating Tibetan opera and the unveiling of giant Buddha Thangkas.
The festival spans five days. It is celebrated in the sixth or seventh Tibetan month. In 2025, it begins in Lhasa on August 23rd. Originally a religious event where monks retreated to monasteries during the warmer months, the Shoton Festival saw locals welcome them back with yogurt.
It's one of Tibet's most exciting events.
| About Shoton Festival | Details |
|---|---|
| What to See and Do | Drepung Monastery unveils the Thangkas. Sera Monastery and Norbulinka (the Dalai Lama's Summer Palace) offer yogurt. Daily Tibetan opera take place in Norbulinka Park. |
A Firsthand Look at the Shoton Festival
Hundreds of meters before Drepung Monastery, you couldn't miss the giant 500-square-meter thangka. The crowd was a real crush, so it was slow going. When you finally got there, people were throwing white hadas at the painting - a simple but moving act of prayer.
Norbulinka was packed with families picnicking and camping. You could get some seriously sour yogurt and snacks and have a picnic. You can see Tibetan opera in Norbulinka and Zongjiao Lukang Park.
Planning Your Tibet Trip for the Shoton Festival
Many visitors to the Shoton Festival opt for a 5 Days Tibet Shoton Festival Tour. This itinerary typically includes visits to Lhasa's Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and the Barkhor Street.
A highlight is the thangka unveiling ceremony at Drepung Monastery, followed by observing the lively debates at Sera Monastery. Finally, a relaxing picnic in the beautiful Norbulinka rounds out the experience.
Book your Tibet travel through an authorized local agency like us. We will arrange your Tibet Travel Permit.
Contact Asia Odyssey Travel's Tibet experts for Lhasa Shoton Festival tours.
Saga Dawa Festival (萨嘎达瓦节) - The Most Sacred Festival
One of the sacred festivals in Tibet is the Saga Dawa Festival, also known as the Release Life Festival. Celebrated throughout the fourth month of the Tibetan calendar, it begins on June 11th, 2025. This holy month commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Buddha Shakyamuni.
| About Saga Dawa Festival | Details |
|---|---|
| Key Activities | Two essential activities on this day are the kora and the releasing of animals. |
Most people go to Mount Kailash and walk 13 circuits around a 25-meter prayer pole at its base. Some people release fish, sheep, and other animals in the Lhasa River and other places. In the monasteries, monks perform masked dances to pray for good fortune.
Inside Saga Dawa Festival
Over 10,000 people gathered at the foot of Mount Kailash for the prayer flag ceremony. The atmosphere was electric as the new prayer flags were raised, with everyone chanting "SuoSuoSuo," a sound that resonated with the spirit of renewal.
Lungta fluttered in the air, mingling with the rising smoke of incense. You could joined in turning the prayer wheels, surrounded by the chanting of monks, the fragrant incense, and the gentle shower of tsampa flour from above.
You'll experience a deep connection and shared joy, making this a truly immersive pilgrimage.
Participating in Saga Dawa Festival: Your Tibet Travel Itinerary
A typical 16-day Mount Kailash Group Tour focuses on the Saga Dawa Festival. The journey starts in Lhasa, where you'll spend a few days exploring iconic sites like the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, etc.
Next, you'll travel to Everest Base Camp (EBC) for magnificent views of Mount Everest.
The culmination of the trip is the Mount Kailash Trekking, coinciding with the Saga Dawa Festival. This trek offers both a physical challenge and a profound spiritual experience.
Tibet travel requires joining a tour group. Besides your Visa and Passport, you need a Tibet Travel Permit. Only agencies authorized by the Tibet Tourism Bureau can organize tours.
Asia Odyssey Travel has been operating in Tibet for more than a decade. We're fully qualified to arrange your trip at lowest prices. Contact us to plan your Saga Dawa festival tour.
Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival (林芝桃花节) - Admiring Peach Blossoms
The Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival is usually held from late March to mid-April every year in Nyingchi City, Tibet, marking the beginning of spring in Tibet. The festival has been held for over 20 years.
You can go directly to the first village of Gala Peach Blossom Township - the Gala Peach Blossom Village. There are more than 1,200 wild peach trees, covering an area of more than 270 acres, which is a famous spring punch-in spot.
Take A Closer Look at Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival
Stepping into the vast peach forest, you'll feel like you've entered a natural painting. The pink and white peach blossoms bloom all over the mountains and fields, beautifully complementing the snow-capped mountains, highland barley fields, and traditional Tibetan houses.
During the event, you can also watch traditional Tibetan song and dance performances and taste local delicacies.
Plan Your Tibet Trip for Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival
Travelers usually arrange a 9 Days Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival.
Nyingchi's peach blossoms are just the start. The areas around Nyingchi are awesome – snowy peaks, lush forests, and crystal-clear lakes. From there, explore Lhasa, then make your way to Shigatse, where you'll find even more incredible scenery.
Highlights of Scenic Spot Around Nyingchi:
- Segrila Pass, where you can enjoy the highest peak of the Eastern Himalayas, Namjagbarwa Peak.
- Lulang Forest with its charming natural scenery.
- The crystal-clear Guxiang Lake.
- Bomi Peach Blossom Valley, the largest peach blossom valley in China.
- Ranwu Lake, the source of the Pailong Zangbu River.
- Laigu Glacier, one of the oldest glaciers in Tibet.
- Lhasa City: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Sera Monastery.
- Yamdrok Lake, the heavenly lake.
- Karola Glacier: one of the most beautiful glaciers in Tibet.
- Tashilunpo Monastery, the largest monastery in the Tsang Area of Tibet.
Lesser-Known but Interesting Tibetan Festivals
Tibet also has many lesser-known festivals beyond the top three. You can learn a bit about them and consider adding them to your Tibet travel itinerary if you're interested.
Nagqu Horse Racing Festival (那曲赛马节) - The Nomads' Olympics
Held around August each year on the Nagqu grasslands in northern Tibet, this is an energetic event featuring horse races (including speed races and obstacle courses) and other traditional sports.
Visitors have the chance to experience the nomadic lifestyle firsthand.
Butter Lamp Festival (酥油灯节) - Illuminating the Night
The festival falls on the fifteenth day of the first Tibetan month, the same day as the Lantern Festival. Temples light countless butter lamps. These lamps illuminate the night, symbolizing light overcoming darkness.
Visitors can light butter lamps during the Butter Lamp Festival. These lamps are all handmade by monks.
Monlam (大祈愿节) - A Grand Tibetan Buddhist Assembly
Held on the fifteenth day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar (after Tibetan New Year), the Monlam Prayer Festival is one of the most important religious gatherings in Tibetan Buddhism.
Tens of thousands of monks and devotees congregate at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa to chant prayers for the happiness of all beings. Visitors are welcome to observe the ceremonies but should be respectful of religious customs.
Fairy Festival (仙女节) - Tibetan Women's Festival
This festival is exclusively for women and takes place on the fifteenth day of the tenth month of the Tibetan calendar. Legend says this is the day celestial fairies descend to earth. Women dress in their finest clothes, sing, and dance, celebrating their beauty and wisdom.
In some regions, visitors are allowed to join in the dancing.
Ongkor Festival (望果节) - Celebrating the Harvest
Tibetan farmers celebrate the Ongkor Festival in the seventh or eighth Tibetan month, just before harvest. They parade around their fields, praying for a bountiful harvest. The festival offers visitors a chance to experience traditional farming life through sacrifices, songs, dances, and games.
Tashilhunpo Thangka Festival (扎什伦布唐卡节) - Showcasing Tibetan Painting
Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse is the central location for this festival, which showcases exquisite Thangka (Tibetan Buddhist painting) art. The festival features not only Thangka exhibitions but also demonstrations of the creation process.
For visitors, this is an excellent opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Tibetan culture and religious beliefs.
Bathing Festival (沐浴节) - A Tibetan Cleansing Ritual
Also known as the "Sangjemanla Festival," the Bathing Festival is generally celebrated between the sixth and twelfth days of the seventh month of the Tibetan calendar. During this time, people go to rivers to bathe and cleanse themselves, praying for health.
This is a very personal ritual.
Things to Note for Tibetan Holiday
When observing festivals in Tibet, there are several important rules to keep in mind:
- Do not enter temples without permission: You should not enter any temple without the permission of the temple staff.
- No smoking: Smoking is prohibited within temple grounds. This shows respect for the monks and the Buddhist faith.
- Do not touch statues: Statues of Buddha and sacred scriptures within the temples are considered holy objects. Do not touch them.
- No unauthorized photography: Before taking photos inside a temple, ask for permission. Many temples allow photography outside, but prohibit it inside to avoid disrupting religious ceremonies.
- Respect the circumambulation direction: When entering temples or religious sites, it's customary to walk clockwise (from left to right). (In Bon monasteries, the direction is counter-clockwise, from right to left.) Do not step over ritual objects or braziers.
- Dress respectfully: When visiting temples, dress modestly. Avoid revealing clothing or overly casual attire to show respect for the sacred space.
Plan Tibet Festival Tour with Asia Odyssey Travel
Tibet has numerous festivals, making it impossible to experience them all in a single trip.
Therefore, we recommend focusing your travel plans around one of the most popular festivals for visitors: Tibetan New Year Festival (Losar), the Shoton Festival, or the Saga Dawa Festival.
We can provide Tibet tour services during these Tibetan festivals, including accommodations and transportation arrangements.
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