TrekUnity
When
July
Attendance
hundreds of thousands
Admission
Ticketed
Setting
Outdoor
Naadam is Mongolia's greatest national festival — a July celebration of the "three manly games" of wrestling, horse racing, and archery, with roots stretching back centuries to the era of Genghis Khan. The main events fill Ulaanbaatar's National Sports Stadium with a spectacular opening ceremony, bare-chested wrestlers, and costumed processions, while cross-country horse races thunder across the steppe outside the city.
A UNESCO-recognized heritage, Naadam is a vivid window into nomadic culture, easily paired with a trip into Mongolia's vast grasslands and ger camps.
Want to go? Turn Naadam Festival into a trip you plan with your group.
Creates an editable trip seeded with a starter itinerary, hotels & eats.
Event details
Typical dates
July 11–13 (national holiday)
Admission
Stadium events ticketed · street & steppe events free
Parking
Ulaanbaatar traffic is heavy during Naadam — use taxis; horse races are outside the city (arrange transport).
Nearest airport
Chinggis Khaan International (UBN) — ~50 min
Typical weather
Warm Mongolian summer — 70s–80s °F days, cool nights; sun protection and a layer for the steppe.
Official website
Location
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Where to stay
Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar
International luxury in the capital.
The Blue Sky Hotel
Landmark tower on Sükhbaatar Square.
Steppe ger camps
Traditional felt-tent stays outside the city.
Where to eat & drink
Khuushuur
Fried meat pastries — the classic Naadam food.
Buuz & Mongolian barbecue
Steamed dumplings and grilled meats.
Airag
Fermented mare's milk, the traditional festival drink.
Nearby attractions
Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue
A colossal steel statue on the steppe near the city.
Gandan Monastery
Ulaanbaatar's great Buddhist monastery.
Terelj National Park
Dramatic rock formations and ger camps nearby.
A sample itinerary
1Arrive + city
- •Fly into UBN
- •Afternoon: Sükhbaatar Square + Gandan Monastery
- •Evening: khuushuur dinner
2Naadam day
- •Morning: opening ceremony + wrestling
- •Afternoon: archery + the steppe horse races
3Steppe + depart
- •Day: Terelj National Park + a ger camp
- •Head to UBN
Make it yours — an editable trip you can share with your group.
Travel tips
- Get stadium tickets early for the opening ceremony and wrestling.
- Arrange transport to the steppe horse races outside the city.
- Pair Naadam with a ger-camp stay in the grasslands.
Frequently asked questions
When is Naadam?
July 11–13, Mongolia's national holiday, centered in Ulaanbaatar.
What are the "three manly games"?
Wrestling, horse racing, and archery — the traditional contests at the heart of Naadam.
Should you leave the city for it?
Yes — the horse races run across the open steppe outside Ulaanbaatar, and a ger-camp stay deepens the experience.
Going with friends?
TrekUnity keeps the whole group on the same page — vote on plans, split costs, and see who's arriving when.
Start planning freeTrekUnity is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Naadam Festival or its organizers. Dates, prices, and details are provided for informational purposes and can change — always confirm on the official event website before booking.