A celebration of Mongolian culture, strength and talent, Nadaam Festival is a one-of-a-kind-spectacle, which is beloved by the Mongolians. This festival is referred to as the Mongolian version of the Olympic Games. The main festive entertainment is the so-called "three manly games," namely wrestling, archery, and horse racing, all of which are considered Mongolian national sports.
Naadam Celebration in Ulaanbaatar
The biggest celebration of Naadam takes place in the country's capital Ulaanbaatar, at the National Sports Stadium, The preparations for the Ulaanbaatar celebration begin well in advance due to a massive demand. Approximately 12,000 people attend the event every year. While at the stadium, you'll have a chance to witness wrestling matches, horse racing, archery, knuckle-bone shooting, Mongolian dances, and parades. The spectacle is a great reminder of the beauty and glory of Mongolian culture. Tickets to the event range from 80,000 to 150,000 Mongolian tugriks.
Naadam in Other Cities
Though the grand celebration can be found in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar at its National Sports Stadium, you may actually find a more authentic experience in smaller little-known settlements across the country. Such cities, like Chinggis, Tsetserleg, Darkhan, and many other municipalities across Mongolia hold their own Naadam festivals, with the scale no less impressive than the one in Ulaanbaatar.
Dates & Weather
The Naadam Festival is held every summer for three days from July 11th to July 13th. Though summer is the high tourist season, its main drawback is frequent rain, so consider grabbing an umbrella for your trip.
