Tsagaan Sar 2025 in Mongolia

Tsagaan Sar, or the Mongolian Lunar New Year, is one of the most significant holidays in Mongolia, marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Translating to “White Moon,” Tsagaan Sar is a celebration of renewal, family, and hope for prosperity in the coming year. Visitors to Mongolia during this time can expect a rich cultural experience, featuring vibrant traditions, intricate rituals, and warm hospitality. Families across the country prepare to welcome guests, offering traditional foods and participating in ceremonial greetings. For travelers, it is an opportunity to witness firsthand Mongolia’s deep-rooted cultural heritage and to partake in the warmth and joy of this festive period.

When is Tsagaan Sar

Tsagaan Sar usually falls on three days between January and February or March, which are determined by a Buddhist leader beforehand. The success of the festival depends on the correct choice of the date. If it is slightly late, warm temperatures may deprive the attendees of a delicious specialty called "buuz," traditional meat dumplings, millions of which are stored outside in the frost before the start of the feast. Just hope the meat doesn't spoil and you are in for a great feast!

Regarding weather conditions, the end of winter and the beginning o​f spring are marked with strong winds and sandstorms, so it is advisable to wear a scarf to protect yourself.

How Mongolians Celebrate

In some regions of Mongolia, families burn candles at the altar on this day. Mongols also visit families to exchange gifts and perform a traditional zolgokh greeting by holding each other by the elbows. It's common to see people in national Mongol costumes carrying khadag—a blue, silk cloths. After a lavish dinner with buuz, sheep tails, and mutton, people socialize and drink airag—an alcoholic drink made of fermented horse milk.

Tsagaan Sar Tours

Many tour operators in Mongolia offer special Tsagaan Sar packages, providing travelers with a unique opportunity to experience this important holiday. These tours typically include visits to nomadic families, where guests can participate in traditional customs, such as exchanging greetings known as zolgokh, and sharing holiday meals. Some itineraries feature cultural performances, including traditional Mongolian music and throat singing, while others might include excursions to scenic locations like the Gobi Desert or Terelj National Park. For those seeking a deeper understanding of Mongolian traditions, these tours provide insight into the customs and lifestyle of the Mongolian people during one of their most cherished holidays.

Holiday Foods

Central to the celebration is the preparation of buuz, steamed dumplings filled with savory meat. Families spend days crafting hundreds of these dumplings to serve to guests, with their quality often a point of pride and lively discussion. Store-bought dumplings are rarely considered, as homemade buuz symbolize the family’s dedication and honor.

Another hallmark of the Tsagaan Sar table is the Shiniin Idee, a layered offering of biscuits symbolizing the balance of life. The structure must consist of an odd number of layers, as Mongolian beliefs dictate that “two layers of happiness frame a layer of evil,” ensuring good fortune in the year ahead. Guests honor the Shiniin Idee by carefully taking a sweet or biscuit with their right hand while touching the base of the structure with their left hand, a gesture steeped in respect and tradition.

Tsagaan Sar offers a sensory and cultural feast that celebrates Mongolia’s enduring values of family, resilience, and hope. For visitors, it’s a chance to be embraced by the warmth of Mongolian hospitality.