Tibetan Festivals
There are numerous grand festivals held in Tibet every year, such as the Tibetan New Year, the Shoton Festival, the 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 Buddhist 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 the Tibetan Festivals in 2026. Check the following calendar and start your dreamy festival tours of Tibet!
Tibet Festival in 2026
| Tibetan Festivals | 2026 Solar Calendar | 2025 Solar Calendar | Tibetan Calendar | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tibetan New Year/Losar Festival (The most important one) | Feb 18 | Feb 28 | Jan 1 | TAR |
| Monlam Prayer Festival | Feb 22- Mar 5 | Feb 5 - Mar 14 | Early Jan | Jokhang Temple |
| Butter Lantern Festival | Mar 4 | Mar 14 | Jan 15 | Jokhang Temple |
| Tsurphu Cham Dance Festival | May 26 | Jun 25 | Apr 10 | Tsurphu Monastery |
| Saga Dawa Festival (The holiest one) | May 31 | Jun 11 | Apr 15 | TAR |
| Gyangtse Horse Racing Festival (Gyantse Damar Festival) | Jun | Jun 25 | Apr 10 - Apr 28 | Gyantse |
| Samye Dhoede (Zamling Chisang) | / | Jun 10 | May 14 | Samye Monastery |
| Tashilhunpo Thangka Festival | Jun 28- Jun 30 | Jul 11 | May 14 to 16 | Tashilhunpo Monastery |
| Chokor Duchen Festival | Jul 18 | Jul 28 | Jun 4 | TAR |
| Ganden Thangka Festival | Jul 29 | Aug 9 | Jun 15 | Gandan Monastery |
| Ongkor Festival | Aug | Aug 9 | Jun 4 - Jun 20 | TAR |
| Nagqu Horse Racing Festival | Aug 10 | Aug 10 | Late Jul - early Aug | Nagqu |
| Damxung Horse Racing Festival | Aug 10 | Aug 10 | Jul 10 | Damxung |
| Shoton Festival (The most popular one) | Aug 12 | Aug 23 | Jun 30 - Jul 6 | TAR |
| Bathing Festival | Aug 30 - Sep 5 | Sep 16 - Sep 22 | Jul 25 - Aug 1 | Lhasa |
| Drak Yerpa Thangka Festival | / | Sep 2 | Jul 10 | Drak Yerpa |
| Buddha's Descent Day (Lhabab Duchen) | Nov 3 | Nov 12 | Sept 22 | TAR |
| Tibetan New Year in Kongbo Area | Nov 9 | Nov 21 | Oct 1 | Nyingchi |
| Palden Lhamo Festival (Fairy Day) | Nov 24 | Dec 4 | Oct 12 | Lhasa |
| Galdan Namchot (Tsongkhapa Butter Lamp Festival) | Dec 3 | Dec 14 | Oct 25 | Lhasa |
