Mongolia's festivals are among the most spectacular in Asia. Two in particular are worth planning a trip around.
Naadam is the national festival, held in Ulaanbaatar on July 11–13 to mark Mongolia's independence. The centerpiece is the Three Games of Men — wrestling, horse racing, and archery. The wrestling takes place in an indoor stadium and goes on for days, with hundreds of competitors and elaborate titles awarded: nachin (falcon), zaan (elephant), arslan (lion), and the highest, avarga (titan). Horse racing happens on open steppe outside the city, with children aged five to twelve as jockeys, racing distances of 15 to 30 kilometres. Archery is contested by both men and women. Smaller Naadam festivals take place in towns and provinces throughout early July — if you can't get to Ulaanbaatar, the provincial versions are less crowded and often more atmospheric.
The Golden Eagle Festival takes place the first weekend of October in Olgii, the capital of Bayan-Olgii province in western Mongolia. Kazakh eagle hunters (berkutchi) compete with their trained golden eagles in speed, agility, and accuracy. The hunters ride in traditional dress, and the eagles are enormous — wingspans over two metres. It is one of the most photographed events in Central Asia, and deservedly so. Getting to Olgii requires a flight from Ulaanbaatar or an overland journey through dramatic mountain scenery. Book accommodation in Olgii well in advance.
Tsagaan Sar (White Month) is the Mongolian Lunar New Year, usually falling in late January or February. It is primarily a family holiday — not particularly accessible to visitors — but in Ulaanbaatar you will notice the city empty out as everyone returns to their home region, and the weeks before are busy with buuz-making preparations.
Ice Festival on Lake Khovsgol runs for two or three days in February or March, when the lake freezes solid. Events include ice sports, dog sledding, horse races on the ice, and throat singing performances. A good reason to brave the cold.