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 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 Tibetan Festivals in 2024. Check the following calendar and start your dreamy festival tours of Tibet!
Tibet Festival in 2024
| Tibetan Festivals | 2025 Solar Calendar | 2024 Solar Calendar | Tibetan Calendar | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tibetan New Year/Losar Festival (The most important one) | Feb 28 | Feb 10 | Jan 1 | TAR |
| Monlam Prayer Festival | Feb 5 - Mar 14 | Feb 13 - Feb 20 | Early Jan | Jokhang Temple |
| Butter Lantern Festival | Mar 14 | Feb 24 | Jan 15 | Jokhang Temple |
| Tsurphu Cham Dance Festival | Jun 25 | May 18 | Apr 10 | Tsurphu Monastery |
| Saga Dawa Festival (The holiest one) | Jun 11 | May 23 | Apr 15 | TAR |
| Tashilhunpo Thangka Festival | Jul 11 | Jun 21 - Jun 23 | May 14 to 16 | Tashilhunpo Monastery |
| Gyangtse Horse Racing Festival(Gyantse Damar Festival) | Jun 25 | Jul 5 | Mid Apr | Gyantse |
| Samye Dhoede(Zamling Chisang) | Jun 10 | / | May 14 | Samye Monastery |
| Chokor Duchen Festival | Jul 28 | Jul 9 | Jun 4 | TAR |
| Ongkor Festival | Aug 9 | Jul 9 - Jul 26 | Jun 4 - Jun 20 | TAR |
| Nagqu Horse Racing Festival | / | Aug 10 | / | Nagqu |
| Ganden Thangka Festival | Aug 15 | Jul 21 | Jun 15 | Gandan Monastery |
| Shoton Festival (The most popular one) | Aug 23 | Aug 4 | Jun 30 - Jul 6 | TAR |
| Bathing Festival | Sep 16 - Sep 22 | Sep 19 - Sep 25 | Jul 25 - Aug 1 | Lhasa |
| Drak Yerpa Thangka Festival | Sep 2 | / | Jul 10 | Drak Yerpa |
| Damxung Horse Racing Festival | / | / | Jul 10 | Damxung |
| Buddha's Descent Day(Lhabab Duchen) | Nov 11 | Nov 22 | Sept 22 | TAR |
| Tibetan New Year in Kongbo Area | Nov 21 | / | Oct 1 | Nyingchi |
| Palden Lhamo Festival(Fairy Day) | Dec 4 | Dec 15 | Oct 12 | Lhasa |
| Galdan Namchot(Tsongkhapa Butter Lamp Festival) | Dec 14 | Dec 25 | Oct 25 | Lhasa |
Top 3 Tibetan Festivals
Losar Festival - Tibetan New Year
Tibetan Losar is the most important festival for Tibetan people. What is Losar? When is Losar? How do Tibetan people celebrate Losar? Check this post and find the answer.
Saga Dawa Festival
The Saga Dawa Festival is considered highly significant in Tibet. It's celebrated for remembering the birthday, enlightenment, and death of Sakyamuni.
Shoton Festival
This post introduces one of the most important festivals in Tibet - Shoton Festival, including the history, venue, and what you can expect during it, helping travelers explore Tibetan culture and Buddhism.