Dates of 2023 Tibetan Festivals are traditionally based on the lunar calendar, the lunar calendar is calculated each year by astrologers from Mentse Khang (Tibetan Traditional Medicine Centre). Normally a year contain12 months, but the missing or addition of an extra intercalary month for astrological reasons is not uncommon. So the dates of the festival vary every year. Generally, the Tibetan Lunar month is about two months behind the Western calendar.

Most of the Tibetan festivals on the Tibetan plateaus are deeply connected with their strong Buddhist influence or rich ancestral culture. During the festivals, all the people wear traditional costumes and perform different traditional dances and ritual activities. A Festival is the best way to experience the breathing culture and tradition of the locals and their ethnical affinity. Many Tibetan festivals are traditionally held throughout the Tibetan calendar – some are nationwide and others are applicable to a certain area only.

Name of the Festival

Active Place

2023

2020

2019

Tibetan New Year (Losar)

Almost all Tibet  Feb 21 Feb 24 Feb 5

Monlam Prayer Festival

Lhasa Feb 24 Mar 9 Feb 9

Butter Oil Lantern Festival

Almost all Tibet  Mar 7 Mar 9 Feb 19

Saga Dawa

Almost all Tibet  June 4 Jun 5 Jun 17

Gyantse Horse Racing Festival (Gyantse Damag)

Gyantse Jul 17 July 20 July 20

Tashi Lhunpo Thangka Display

Shigatse Jul 4 July 4-6 July 15

Zamling Chisang / Samye Dolde

Samye Monastery July 3 July 5 July 16

Chokor Duchen Festival

Almost all Tibet July 21 July 24 Aug 5

Ganden Thangka Display

Ganden Monastery Aug 1 Aug 7 Aug 15

Shoton Festival

Lhasa  Aug 16 Aug 19 – 26 Aug 30 – Sept 5

Nachu Horse Racing

Nachu Aug 10 – 16 Aug 10-16 Aug 10-16

Lhabab Duchen Festival

Almost all Tibet  Nov 4 Nov 7 Nov 19

Pal Lhamo Festival

Lhasa Nov 19  Dec 12 Dec 12

Ganden Ngacho

Almost all Tibet  Dec 7 Nov 30 Dec 21

Labrang Monlam Festival

Amdo, Labrang Not Fixed No confirmed Feb 17

Lithang Horse Racing Festival ( Not permanent)

Lithang Aug 1-7 Aug 1  Aug 1

Jye Kundo (Yushu) Horse Racing Festival

Yushu July 25-30 July 25 July 25