Tibetan Festivals
There are numerous grand festivals held in Tibet every year, such as Tibetan New Year, Shoton Festival, Saga Dawa Festival... During the holidays in Tibet, it is the best time for tourists to experience Tibetan culture.
The main Tibetan festivals have strong religious characteristics. No matter what kind of festivals, they are closely related to Tibetan Buddhism. Activities such as pilgrimage, sacrificial offerings, prayers, and unfolding Buddhism images have penetrated into various holidays in Tibet. Nowadays, with the progress of the times and the continuous development of Tibet's tourism industry, the entertainment component of Tibetan holidays is becoming more and more intense. But no matter how it changes, during the festival of Tibet, it's the best time to explore local traditions and customs. See also important Tibetan festivals and events.
Great Tibet Tour has sorted out Tibetan Festivals in 2023. Check the following calendar and start your dreamy festival tours of Tibet!
Tibet Festival in 2023
| Tibetan Festivals | 2023 Solar Calendar | Tibetan Calendar | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tibetan New Year/Losar Festival (The most important one) | Feb 21 | Jan 1 | TAR |
| Monlam Prayer Festival | Feb 24 - Mar 7 | Early Jan | Jokhang Temple |
| Butter Lantern Festival | Mar 7 | Jan 15 | Jokhang Temple |
| Tsurphu Cham Dance Festival | / | Apr 10 | Tsurphu Monastery |
| Saga Dawa Festival (The holiest one) | Jun 4 | Apr 15 | TAR |
| Gyangtse Horse Racing Festival(Gyantse Damar Festival) | Jul 17 | Mid Apr | Gyantse |
| Tashilhunpo Thangka Festival | Jul 4 | May 14 to 16 | Tashilhunpo Monastery |
| Samye Dhoede(Zamling Chisang) | / | May 14 | Samye Monastery |
| Chokor Duchen Festival | / | Jun 4 | TAR |
| Nagqu Horse Racing Festival | Aug 1 | / | Nagqu |
| Ganden Thangka Festival | / | Jun 15 | Gandan Monastery |
| Shoton Festival (The most popular one) | Aug 16 | Jun 30 - Jul 6 | TAR |
| Bathing Festival | / | Around Jul | Lhasa |
| Drak Yerpa Thangka Festival | / | Jul 10 | Drak Yerpa |
| Damxung Horse Racing Festival | / | Jul 10 | Damxung |
| Ongkor Festival | End of Sept | Between Jul and Aug | TAR |
| Buddha's Descent Day(Lhabab Duchen) | Nov 4 | Sept 22 | TAR |
| Tibetan New Year in Kongbo Area | / | Oct 1 | Nyingchi |
| Palden Lhamo Festival(Fairy Day) | Nov 19 | Oct 15 | Lhasa |
| Galdan Namchot(Tsongkhapa Butter Lamp Festival) | Dec 7 | Oct 25 | Lhasa |
