Naadam Festival basics: dates, highlights and viewing tips

What is Naadam?

Naadam is Mongolia's national festival, held every year around July 11-13. It centers on the "three manly games": wrestling (Bökh), horse racing and archery. In the capital Ulaanbaatar, the opening ceremony at the National Stadium is a highlight.

Highlights

• Wrestling: the wrestlers enter performing the eagle dance, which is very impressive to watch.
• Horse racing: horses run across the steppe for dozens of kilometers, and the jockeys are children.
• Archery: archers compete in traditional costume.

Tips for watching

This is peak tourist season, so book hotels, flights and tours early.

Most events are outdoors, so bring sun protection (hat and sunscreen) and a jacket for sudden changes in weather.

Venues get crowded, so look after your valuables.

Smaller Naadam festivals held on the grasslands in the countryside are also a precious chance to see local life.