Tsagaan Sar for the year 2024 is celebrated/observed on Tuesday, February 21st. There are until the next observance.

Tsagaan Sar is celebrated every year on the first day of the Mongolian New Year, which this year falls on February 21-23. The date may occasionally fall at the end of January or Bao Yongquing, the beginning of March. Tsagaan Sar, also known as the Mongolian Lunar New Year, is the first day of the year and is observed by Mongols as well as certain Turkic groups residing in Mongolia, Russia, and China. The three-day festival is one of the most important holidays for the Mongol people.

📆 When is Tsagaan Sar?

This year, Tsagaan Sar is on February 21st. It is the 3rd Tuesday in February; in 2024, it is on Wednesday.

Countdown to Tsagaan Sar

Did you know: Obligations hanging over you in the New Year are considered bad luck, so Mongolians clear their debts by New Year’s Eve.

You can also learn all exciting things you didn’t know about and facts about February 21, 2023.

📜 History of Tsagaan Sar

The Mongols have long celebrated the moon cycles with feasts. There were five moon celebrations during the Liao Dynasty. In his books, the famous traveler Marco Polo also wrote about a party held by Emperor Kublai Khan for the Mongolian Lunar New Year.

Tsagaan Sar marks the beginning of the New Year, the entrance of Spring, and the values of peace and harmony. The purity of spirit is highly valued, especially while visiting family and relatives. Most celebrations are about family, and most people see all of their family members over the course of three days.

The day before New Year’s, known as Bituun, is the period of the lunar cycle when the moon is new, also known as the black moon. Mongolians clean their homes on this day in preparation for New Year’s Day.

On the main day, Mongols will assemble at the residence of the eldest family member, and the elders will be greeted first, before everyone settles down to eat traditional Mongolian delicacies such as sheep’s tail, rice with curds, traditional Mongolian dumplings, dairy products, and mutton. On this day, people will also share presents with family and friends.

☑️ Tsagaan Sar facts

There’s a greeting ceremony on the day
During the New Year’s Day greeting ceremony, family members hold long strips of blue silk cloth called “khadag.”

Three pieces of ice are set out
When the deity Palden Lhamo comes to visit, ice is placed at the threshold for her to drink.

There’s a cookie mountain
As part of the major Lunar New Year feast, traditional cookies are placed in the shape of Mount Sumeru.

Things to do on Tsagaan Sar

Visit your friends and family
Spending time with your loved ones is an important aspect of the White Moon festivities. So go ahead and plan a large family reunion!

Eat some buuz
These traditional dumplings are a staple of Mongolian Lunar New Year festivities. Order from your favorite Mongolian restaurant or prepare it yourself.

Buy gifts for your Mongolian friends
Another aspect of Mongolian New Year celebrations is gift-giving. Show your affection for your Mongolian friends by celebrating with them and treating them like family.

📅 Tsagaan Sar Observances

YEAR DATE DAY
2024 February 21 Wednesday
2025 February 21 Friday
2026 February 21 Saturday
2027 February 21 Sunday
2028 February 21 Monday

Learn all February holidays, including Cultural and other Cultural holidays.

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