Mongolia's national festival is Naadam, held each July.
Three sports manifested in one festival, and the whole country basically stops for it.
Naadam is wrestling, archery and horse racing — three sports you're most likely less familiar with. But Naadam has kids as young as five riding flat out across open steppe, which is a feat of skill it's unlikely you'll see elsewhere.
It's been going in some form for centuries and takes place in July. If you're ever going to go to Mongolia, go then.
The 'three games of men' — wrestling, archery and horse racing — that stops the whole country each July.
The 2026 edition runs 11–13 July, with the main events in Ulaanbaatar's National Stadium and horse races out on the steppe. Book accommodation now — the capital fills months ahead.
Mongolia's national festival is Naadam, held each July.
It's been going in some form for centuries and takes place in July. If you're ever going to go to Mongolia, go then.
Last year's edition drew record crowds to the National Stadium opening ceremony in Ulaanbaatar.