Tibet is a land of breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, filled with mystery and vibrant festivals. These celebrations offer travelers an incredible opportunity to experience annual festivities alongside local Tibetans.

In this article, we’ll explore these unique festivals, so you’ll know when to witness Tibet’s cherished traditions and celebrations. By the end, you’ll be familiar with the key Tibetan festivals and learn how to fully immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere and spiritual rituals.

How to Immerse Yourself in the Tibetan New Year Festival?

To fully immerse yourself in the Tibetan New Year, being in the right place at the right time is key. For foreign tourists, Lhasa and Shigatse are prime destinations for tourists to experience the lively atmosphere of the Tibetan New Year. It is advised to arrive early and plan to spend the first three days of the New Year in these two cities. While the festival lasts 15 days, most of local events and celebrations happen within those first three days.

The Tibetan New Year, or Losar Festival, is the most important event in Tibet, beginning on December 29, Tibetan calender. Celebrations feature rituals symbolizing the battle between good and evil, with lamas chanting, fire torch processions, traditional dances, and reenactments of royal battles. People welcome the New Year with singing, dancing, and festivities.

Tip: Tibetan New Year in 2025 will be celebrated on February 28, 2025. If you’d like to experience it firsthand, please contact us to plan your trip in advance.

Tibetan people celebrations Tibetan New Year.

7 Days Tibet New Year Festival Tour

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyangtse - Shigatse - Lhasa

Price from USD p.p

How to Fully Delighted in the Peach Blossom Festival of Tibet?

Nyingchi’s peach blossoms are primarily found along the Niyang River and the route from Nyingchi Mainling Airport to Bayi town. For foreign tourists, the top spots to enjoy the Peach Blossom are Gala Valley, Bome Peach Blossom Valley, and Suosong Village in Mainling County.

The Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival, held from mid-March to early April, celebrates the blooming pink peach blossoms alongside vibrant Tibetan cultural events. Lasting 20 days, the festival features a lantern show, folk music, and thrilling events like horsemanship, archery, wrestling, and stone-carrying competitions, all rooted in local Tibetan traditions.

Tips: The official date for the 2025 Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival hasn’t been announced yet, but we’ll share it as soon as it’s confirmed.

Tibetan people celebrations Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival.

10 Days Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival Small Group Tour with Everest Base Camp in 2025

Tour Route: Nyingchi - Bomi - Basom tso Lake - Lhasa - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Shigatse - Lhasa

Price from USD1729 p.p

How to Experience the Saga Dawa Festival to the Fullest?

For those with limited time, Lhasa offers a vibrant experience, with hundreds of Tibetans circumambulating the Barkhor, Tsekhor (Potala circuit), and Lingkhor routes. People release fish into the Kyichu River, monks chant in monasteries, and locals line up at Drepung Monastery to make donations while butter tea is served during breaks.

For those with more time, Mt. Kailash is an excellent choice during Saga Dawa. This period offers a unique chance to complete the kora. Moreover, a new flagpole will be raised at Tarboche, where thousands of pilgrims from worldwide join the annual ceremony and circle the new flagpole together.

The Saga Dawa Festival, the most important religious celebration in Tibet, takes place on April 15 of the Tibetan calendar. This month-long festival honors Buddha Sakyamuni’s birth, enlightenment, and death. The festival features monks chanting, cham dances, and various religious rituals.

Tips: The Saga Dawa Festival reaches its peak on June 11, 2025. If you’re planning to attend, please contact us early to secure your journey for this important date.

Our traveller enjoy Mount Kailash Saga Dawa festival.

16 Days Kailash and Manasarovar Small Group Tour: Touching Mount Kailash with Spiritual Saga Dawa Festival Experience

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - EBC - Saga - Darchen - Kailash Trek - Darchen - Saga - Gyirong - Tingri - Lhasa

Price from USD2299 p.p

How to Enjoy the Shoton Festival: A Cultural Journey of Tibet?

For foreign tourists, the best way to experience the Shoton Festival is to arrive in Lhasa as the festival begins. Start at Drepung Monastery for the grand Thangka unveiling, then head to Norbulingka for vibrant Tibetan opera performances, and finish at the Lhasa Racecourse to enjoy thrilling horse races and horsemanship displays.

The Shoton Festival, or Yogurt Festival, dates back to the 11th century and begins on the last day of the sixth month in the Tibetan calendar, falling on August 23, 2025. Key events include the Thangka Unveiling, Yogurt Banquet, Tibetan Opera, and horse racing, with Tibetans dressed in traditional attire, enjoying dance, song, and sports like archery, wrestling, and horse racing.

Shoton Festival at Drepung Monastery.

5 Days Shoton/Yogurt Banquet Festival Tour

Tour Route: Lhasa

Price from USD p.p

How to Celebrate the Butter Lamp Festival: A Unique Perspective?

For the best experience, foreign tourists should choose the right spot to fully immerse themselves in the festivities. In Lhasa, the liveliest area is around Barkhor Street and in front of Jokhang Temple, where numerous lanterns are displayed. At night, the lanterns illuminate the streets as brightly as daylight, with people singing, dancing, and admiring the beautiful lights.

The Butter Lantern Festival, held on the 15th day of the first Tibetan month, includes daytime temple prayers and a night lantern show. Butter lanterns, crafted with sculptures of deities, animals, plants, and people. Some lanterns reach up to two or three stories high, and the event often features puppet shows, lasting several days.

Jokhang Temple Butter Lantern Festival.

5 Days Buddhist Festival Tour in Lhasa & Ganden Monastery

Tour Route: Lhasa

Price from USD p.p

How to Explore the other Enchanting Tibetan Festivals?

To fully immerse yourself in the other Tibetan festivals, consider joining our private tours specifically designed for these celebrations. You can either select your favorite festivals or share your travel dates with us. As one of the top local travel agencies since 1984, we will tailor your tour to ensure an unforgettable experience you won’t regret.

Nagqu Horse Racing Festival

Nagqu Horse Racing, the largest competition in northern Tibet, draws tens of thousands of herdsmen to the grasslands outside Nagqu city. After a grand opening, events like horse racing, yak racing, tug-of-war, stone lifting, and Tibetan opera performances take place. The festival is held every August and lasts from 5 to 15 days.

8 Days Nagchu Horse Racing Festival Tour

Tour Route: Lhasa - Namtso Lake - Yampanchen - Nagqu - Lhasa

Price from USD p.p

Linkga Festival

The Tibetans, deeply connected to nature, celebrate the Lingka Festival, also known as the Picnic Festival, a unique cultural tradition. Held in the fifth month of the Tibetan calendar, the festival lasts for one month and coincides with the best season for Lingka. During this time, people leave their homes to set up tents in the lush forests of Lingka, joyfully embracing the gifts of nature.

Tibetans are having picnic with their family in the open air.

Ongkor Festival

The Ongkor Festival, or "Bumper Harvest Festival," is a traditional Tibetan celebration held in the 8th month of the Tibetan calendar. It prays for a successful harvest and prosperity, lasting three days, which features monks perform rituals, a farmland parade, traditional performance, including Tibetan opera and mask dances, alongside sports like archery and horse racing.

The Ongkor Festival of Tibet.

More Insider Tips for an Unforgettable Festival Experience

1. Tibetan festivals are primarily held in the spring and summer, making the period from June to August and December to February the best times to experience these vibrant celebrations.

2. Street and outdoor festival celebrations are free to attend, but some events held inside Tibetan monasteries may require an entrance ticket for tourists.

3. Festivals in Tibet are deeply rooted in religious rituals. Be respectful of local customs, such as remove your sunglasses and avoiding wearing shorts when go to the monasteries.

4. Festivals can get crowded, especially during peak times. Book your trip well in advance to secure the best accommodations and guides.

Conclusion

Tibet’s festivals offer a unique way to experience its culture, traditions, and landscapes. From the Tibetan New Year and Shoton Festival to the Peach Blossom and Saga Dawa Festivals, each celebration reflects Tibet’s deep connection to spirituality and nature.

Whether participating in traditional sports, or admiring butter lanterns, these events provide an immersive cultural experience. With proper planning, you can fully embrace the festive spirit of Tibet. Contact us if you have more ideas or questions regarding Tibet festival tours.