Know your Tibetan Holiday: Calendar of Major Tibetan Festivals and Events in 2015 and 2016
The culture of Tibet is unique in the world. Before planning a Tibetan culture trip, know the Tibetan holidays and festivals so as to make the most of your vacation in Tibet, as well as learn more about the Tibetan people and culture.
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Calendar of Major Tibetan Holidays, Festivals and Events |
2015 Tibetan: Wood Sheep |
2016 Tibetan: Fire Moneky |
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Losar |
The Tibetan New Year is the most important festival in the Tibetan calendar, the largest Tibetan festival, celebrated by all. Losar starts on the first day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar, and lasts 3 to 15 days. On the eve of New Year’s Eve, the 29th day of the 12th month, Tibetans eat guthuk with their families.
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February 19 |
February 8 |
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Butter Lantern Festival |
The Butter Lantern Festival, January 15th of the Tibetan calendar, marks the close of the Tibetan New Year festivals. On this day, people migrate to the temples to burn incense to worship the Buddhas.
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March 5 | February 23 |
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Sagar Dawa Festival |
Sagar Dawa represents April in the Tibetan Calendar. In Buddhism it is believed that Sakyamuni was born, became Buddha and died in April. In and around Lhasa, this festival is held to worship the Buddha.
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May 19 – June 16 | May 7 – June 4 |
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Shoton Festival of Lhasa |
“Shoton” in Tibetan means “yoghurt banquet”. As Tibetan operas are performed and Buddha paintings are exhibited at this time, it is also called the “Tibetan Opera Festival” or “Buddha Exhibition Festival.” The Shoton Festival traditionally begins with exhibitions of Buddha paintings. During this period, Tibetan operas and gala parties are held, as well as yak racing and horsemanship displays. The Shoton Festival starts on the 30th day of the 6th month according to Tibetan calendar (usu. later half of August) and lasts five days.
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August 14-20 |
August 2 – August 8 |
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Bathing Festival |
The Bathing Festival is held in the first ten days of July, according to the Tibetan calendar. In Tibetan, this festival is called “Gamariji”, the Tibetan name for the planet Venus. It is so called because the rising of Venus in the sky signals the beginning of this festival where Tibetans bathe in rivers and lakes believed, at this special time, to possess beneficial properties.
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August 1 – 10 | August 3 – 13 |
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Ongkor Festival (BumperHarvest Festival) |
The Ongkor Festival is a traditional Tibetan harvest festival held in the farming areas of Tibet each August, according to Tibetan calendar.
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September | September 1 – 30 |
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Horse Racing Fair and Archery Festival |
Horse Racing and Archery Fairs are unique events held in the plains of Tibet. They are held between June and July, according to the Tibetan calendar, when the pastures are lush and the horses and cows are stout and strong. While horse racing occurs each year, large events occur only once every three years. Events last several days, with the longest ones lasting ten days or more. The most well known events are the Kyagqen Horse Racing Art Festival of Nagqu and the Darma Festival of Gyangze.
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Between July 16 and August 13 | July 4 – August 2 |
