There are many different Tibetan festivals. Tibetan New Year, the Shoton Festival, and the Thangka Festival, when a giant Buddha painting is unfurled, are the highlights. Other festivals are associated with Buddhist monasteries and local traditions and customs.
| Festival | Venue | Events | The year 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tibetan New Year | All Tibetan areas | Tibetan New Year is characterized especially by dancing, music, and a general spirit of merrymaking... Read More>> |
Feb. 28 |
| The Monlam Prayer Festival | Jokhang Monastery | Monks perform traditional Tibetan Buddhist dances during Monlam Prayer Festival, and cakes are made with butter sculptures... Read More>> |
Mar.3 - 24 |
| The Butter Lamp Festival | Jokhang Monastery | People sing and dance throughout the night, and thousands of lights are kept burning until dawn... Read More>> |
Mar. 14 |
| Saga Dawa | Lhasa | Saga Dawa is the peak time to worship Buddha for Tibetans, and a peak time for pilgrimages... Read More>> |
Jun. 11 |
| The Thangka Unveiling at Tashilunpo | Tashilunpo Monastery | The big Thangka with a Buddha image on it is unfolded, and the people all gather in front of the Thangka to pray... Read More>> |
Jul. 9-11 |
| Zamling Chisang (Samye Dhoede) |
Samye Monastery | The Festival is is to celebrate Guru Rinpoche's subjugation of the local deities and the founding of the Samye Monastery... Read More>> |
Jul. 10 |
| Gyantse Horse Race Festival | Gyantse | An annual athletic contest on the fourth lunar month of the Tibetan calendar... Read More>> |
Jun. 5-23 |
| Buddha's Sermon Festival | All Tibetan areas | The Festival is to commemorate Shakyamuni Buddha's first teaching and the first turning of the Wheel of Dharma... | N/A |
| The Ganden Thangka Showing | Ganden Monastery | A big Thangka with a Buddha image on it is unveiled at Ganden Monastery... Read More>> |
Aug. 9 |
| Nagqu Horse Racing Festival | Nagqu | Horse Racing Festival is the grandest annual event in western China's Nagqu Prefecture... Read More>> |
Sep. 2 (Duration ranges from 5 to 15 days) |
| Shoton Festival | Lhasa | A big thangka with an image of Buddha on it is unveiled at Drepung Monastery. People enjoy yogurt together on this day... Read More>> |
Aug. 23 |
| Tibetan Bathing Festival (Garma Ri Gi) |
Lhasa | Tibetans of all ages go to the rivers to take a holy bath for washing away evil omens or illnesses... | Aug. 29 - Sep. 4 |
| Buddha's Descent Day (Lhabab Duchen) |
Lhasa | A Tibetan Buddhist festival that commemorates Buddha returning to earth after going to the 33 Heaven at the age of 41... | Nov. 11 |
| Palden Lhamo Festival | Lhasa | This festival is to honor a wrathful deity called Palden Lhamo... | Dec. 4 |
Related Readings
- Tibet Travel Permit - Who Needs One and How to Get it
- How to Plan a Tibet Trip — Suggestions and Ideas
- Tibet Weather-Best Time to Visit Tibet
- Tibet Transportation — Getting to Tibet and Traveling Around
Experience Tibetan Festivals with Us in Tibet and Surrounding Areas
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- 10-Days Beijing-Lhasa-Shanghai
- 8-Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour
- 7-Days Tibet Tours by Train from Xining
- 4-Days Lhasa Highlights Comfort Tour
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