Tibetan Festivals - Tibetan New Year, Shoton Festival, Saga Dawa and all Festivals in Tibet

No more temple visits and lengthy introductions. Join the fascinating Tibetan festivals and eye-opening cultural festivities that would make the essence of Tibetan culture come to life; You will closely explore the deeply-seated Buddhist traditions that run through every facet of Tibetan life and understand better about locals’ eternal love for this holy land, etc.

To help you time your visit for exhilarating Tibetan festivals, we keep you updated with the latest Tibetan festivals. Check the up-to-date Tibetan festival calendar and recommended Tibetan festival tours for a journey of a lifetime with us.

Get a Glimpse of Tibetan Festivals & Calendar in 2023

Tibetan Festivals
Date in 2023
Highlights
Region
Early Bird

Tibetan New Year (Losar)
Feb.21
Entire Tibet
Inquiry

Peach Blossom Festival
To be determined
Nyingchi
Inquiry

Saga Dawa Festival (The holiest one)
June 4
Entire Tibet
Inquiry

Tashilhunpo Thankga Festival
Jul.4
Tashilhunpo Monastery
Inquiry

Gyantse Horse Racing Festival
Jul.17
Gyantse
Inquiry

Nagqu Horse Racing Festival
Jul.30
Nagqu
Inquiry

Ongkor Festival
End of Sep.
Entire Tibet
Inquiry

Shoton Festival (The most popular)
Aug.16
Entire Tibet
Inquiry

Bathing Festival
Aug.22
Entire Tibet
Inquiry

Tibetan Fairy Day
Nov.19
Entire Tibet
Inquiry

Tsongkhapa Butter Lamp Festival
Mar.7
Lhasa
Inquiry

Top 3 Tibetan Festival Tours

Below are the top three most important festivals and celebrations of Tibet. Whether to celebrate the exotic Tibetan New Year with locals’ family at Losar Festival, enjoy the Buddha exhibition while savoring Tibetan yogurt at Shoton festival, or do the Kailash Kora with the sincere pilgrims at Saga Dawa Festival, you will have a great time experiencing the best highlights of Tibetan festival tour.

5 Days Shoton/Yogurt Banquet Festival Tour
Tour Route:Lhasa

This Tibet festival tour will take you to experience the grandest festival for Tibetans - Shoton Festival. It starts on the last day of the sixth month in Tibetan Calendar and lasts for a few days.

Price upon Request

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7 Days Tibet New Year Festival Tour
Tour Route:Lhasa - Gyangtse - Shigatse - Lhasa

Travel to Tibet during Tibetan New Year, the most important festival for Tibetans, you will get a wonderful Tibetan culture experience and have a great time with local people. During the festival, people celebrate by some ancient ceremonies, dancing, and many local events.

Price upon Request

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15 Days Kailash Tour in Saga Dawa Festival
Tour Route:Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - EBC - Lake Manasarovar - Kailash Trek - Saga - Sakya - Shigatse - Lhasa

The festival of Saga Dawa marks the enlightenment of Sakyamuni, and occurs on the full moon day of the fourth Tibetan month. Saga dawa is particularly popular time to visit mount Kailash as Tibetan from every parts of Tibet gather in Darchen.

Price upon Request

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Other Can’t-miss Tibetan Festivals

Apart from the top three Tibetan festivals mentioned above, Tibet offers you a wide spectrum of choices to discover a totally different Tibet you can’t normally see. From incredible Tsongkhapa butter lamp festival to spectacular Nagqu horse racing festival and grand Thangka festivals in Ganden and Tashilhunpo Monastery, etc. The opportunity for discovery is unlimited.