Naadam Opening Ceremony: Book One of These Tours

The National Naadam Opening Ceremony is the hardest ticket to score in Ulaanbaatar. Here are a few useful tips for attending.

Experiencing Naadam, Mongolia’s biggest and most important national festival, is one of the best things you can do on a trip to Mongolia.

As someone who has lived here for more than 7 years, it’s one of my favorite times of year to be in the country.

The colors, the excitement, the history, and the pride of the locals participating and watching – there really is no better time to be in Mongolia than during Naadam.

The dates for the National Naadam Opening Ceremony in Ulaanbaatar are:

July 11 – 12, 2025

Are you planning your trip last minute?

🚕 Book a Cheap Airport Transfer (great, budget-friendly option when landing in Mongolia)

🛌 Best Places to Stay:

Hostel One (favorite overall hostel with central location and clean facilities)

Urgoo Hotel (local boutique hotel with clean rooms and great location)

H9 Hotel Nine (boutique hotel located next to Sukhbaatar Square)

👉 Top Things to Do in Ulaanbaatar:

Cooking Class in a Local Home (unique way to spend a day and meet a local family!)

Mongolian Calligraphy Class: 1-Hour Lesson (try your hand at traditional Mongolian script)

Ulaanbaatar City Tour (best way to get to know the city with a local guide)

🐴 Most Popular Day Trips from Ulaanbaatar:

Brief Introduction to Mongol Horse (the most Mongolian experience you can have!)

Day Trip to Terelj National Park and the Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue (the perfect day trip for active travelers)

Bogd Khan National Park Hiking Day Trip (a beautiful hike with views of the city in the world’s first ever national park)

What is the Naadam Opening Ceremony?

Every year on July 11, the National Naadam Opening Ceremony marks the beginning of this important national festival in Ulaanbaatar.

The Opening Ceremony is held at the National Stadium and getting a seat to this incredible event can be hard to come by. Esteemed locals, government officials – everyone who is anyone wants to attend this celebration in the capital!

The day starts with a parade in Sukhbaatar Square, where the country’s guardsmen fly the sacred white banners. The white banners signify a time of peace (black banners signify war), and this special procession marks the beginning of the celebrations.

During this 2-day small group experience, experience this unique cultural tradition like a local. Eat Naadam khuushuur, learn the history of Naadam and how it dates back to the days of Chinggis Khaan, and witness Mongolia’s top competitors compete alongside one another.

Things to Know About Attending Naadam

Naadam always takes place in July, from July 12 – 15. Most businesses in the city close during this time so that locals can enjoy this holiday with their friends and family.

Weather in Ulaanbaatar in July can be hard to predict. There have been some years when I’ve attended Naadam and it was scorching hot. Last year, it was so cold and gloomy I wore a puffer coat the entire day.

The average temperature in Ulaanbaatar in July is:

Daytime 24°C (75°F) as the high
Nighttime 11°C (52°F) as the low

It’s important to know that traffic will be heavier than usual during these days. There is nothing we can do about this, but it will affect the driving time when to the horse races on the afternoon of July 11, and returning to the city that evening.

I recommend you bring a daypack during these days. Water, sunscreen, a sun hat, and snacks are a good idea to bring with you for each of these days. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and be sure to check the weather and pack a light jacket.