Naadam Holiday for the year 2024 is celebrated/observed on Tuesday, July 11th. There are until the next observance.

The Naadam Holiday is observed in Mongolia every year from July 11 to July 15. Over the course of five days, Mongolians fervently remembered their nomadic lifestyle and heritage. The celebration begins on Revolution Day, Mongolia’s National Day, which marks the country’s independence from China on July 11, 1921. The Naadam festival is officially hosted in Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar, and admission to the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as some other activities such as wrestling, is needed. The festivities, also known as “the three games of man,” center on three nomadic sports: archery, horse racing, and Mongolian wrestling.

📆 When is Naadam Holiday?

This year, Naadam Holiday is on July 11th. It is the 2nd Tuesday in July; in 2024, it is on Thursday.

Countdown to Naadam Holiday

Did you know: On September 17, 2011, 6,002 wrestlers competed in the Mongolian National Wrestling Match. It was the world’s largest wrestling competition, according to Guinness World Records.

You can also learn all fun things you didn’t know about and facts about July 11, 2023.

📜 History of Naadam Holiday

In many cases, wrestling is the first sport to be introduced. A knockout tournament with 512 or 1,024 contestants serves as the main wrestling event. Since it is believed that a woman once broke into the games and defeated the males, the wrestler must enter the arena bare-chested. Therefore, before the wrestling starts, each wrestler must demonstrate his manhood. Second on the list is archery. Since Genghis Khan’s time in power, Mongolian archers have been famous for their skill and accuracy with a bow. In the games, there are three different archery disciplines, each with their own bows, arrows, and ranges.

The third sport is riding a horse. The ability to ride horses was a determining factor in the Mongols’ supremacy over the steppe. They created stirrups so that Mongol riders could ride without reins and have their hands free for combat. The Naadam festival’s historical importance was recognized in 2010 when it was included on the list of intangible cultural heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Its origins may be found in the military processions and athletic traditions that used to go along with other events, such as weddings or religious gatherings. It was later employed to train warriors for battle.

☑️ Naadam Holiday facts

Wrestling champions are given titles
The first-time wrestling champion is known as “Arslan” (the lion), the runner-up is known as “Zaan” (the elephant), and the “Arslan” who wins the competition twice in a row is known as “Titan “Avarga.”

Opening with Nine White Banner
The Naadam festival begins with a rite in which nine white banners are carried by nine white-horsed troops, much as they did in ancient Mongol times.

Horse jockey children are very young
Mongolian youngsters, some as young as two years old, learn to ride horses at a young age.

Things to do on Naadam Holiday

Watch the festival
The event is gaining popularity among foreign visitors, with around 20% of all visitors going to Mongolia in July to watch the games. Join them if at all feasible.

Take a stroll
During the Naadam holidays, this is the best time to travel around Mongolia. Take a stroll in your neighborhood park or garden, or attend regional events in towns and villages that are frequently free and much more personal.

Food is the answer!
Traditional Mongolian food is offered at the various pop-up stalls and includes a variety of meat-filled dishes. If you can’t make it, look up some recipes and make your own.

📅 Naadam Holiday Observances

YEAR DATE DAY
2023 July 11 Tuesday
2024 July 11 Thursday
2025 July 11 Friday
2026 July 11 Saturday
2027 July 11 Sunday

You can view all July holidays, including Cultural and other Festivities holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and fun facts about Naadam Holiday. So be sure to check back soon.