Public Holidays in Mongolia 2026 – National & Cultural Celebrations
Mongolia recognizes a number of public holidays blending traditional, cultural, and national observances. Many holidays are tied to the lunar calendar (especially Tsagaan Sar and some Buddhist observances), while others commemorate Mongolia’s modern nationhood. These holidays differ in structure and observance from microstates like Monaco, where most dates are fixed by statute and largely Christian in origin.
List of Mongolia’s Public Holidays in 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Notes / Observance |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Thursday | New Year’s Day | Gregorian New Year |
| February 17 – February 19* | Tue – Thu* | Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year) | Estimated dates; first days of lunar year |
| March 8 | Sunday | International Women’s Day | National observance |
| June 1 | Monday | Children’s Day | Observed as public holiday |
| May 24* | Sunday* | Buddha Day | Religious observance (estimated) |
| July 11 – July 15 | Sat – Wed | Naadam Holiday | National festival period |
| November 10* | Tuesday* | Chinggis Khan’s Birthday (National Pride Day) | Lunar-based commemorative day (estimated) |
| November 26 | Thursday | Republic Day | Founding of the Mongolian People’s Republic (1924) |
| December 29 | Tuesday | Independence Day | Restoration of national independence (1911) |
List of Mongolia’s Public Holidays in 2025
| Date | Day | Holiday | Notes / Observance |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Wednesday | New Year’s Day | Gregorian New Year |
| March 1 – March 3 | Sat – Mon | Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year) | First three days of the lunar new year |
| March 8 | Saturday | International Women’s Day | National observance |
| June 1 | Sunday | Children’s Day | Observed as public holiday |
| June 4 | Wednesday | Buddha Day | Religious observance |
| July 11 – July 15 | Fri – Tue | Naadam Holiday | National festival period |
| November 21 | Friday | Chinggis Khan’s Birthday (National Pride Day) | Commemorative anniversary |
| November 26 | Wednesday | Republic Day | Founding of Mongolian People’s Republic (1924) |
| December 29 | Monday | Independence Day | Restoration of national independence (1911) |
Notes & Observations
- Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year) follows the Mongolian lunar calendar and shifts annually.
- Naadam is Mongolia’s largest cultural festival and spans several consecutive public holidays.
- Chinggis Khan’s Birthday is calculated using lunar methods and may change slightly year to year.
- Independence Day (December 29) became an official public holiday in 2011.
- Unlike fixed-date systems (as seen in Public Holidays in Monaco), Mongolia’s calendar includes multi-day and movable holidays driven by lunar and cultural cycles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many public holidays does Mongolia have in 2026?
Mongolia is expected to observe about 9 principal national public holidays in 2026, including several multi-day festivals.
Is Tsagaan Sar a fixed-date holiday?
No. Tsagaan Sar is based on the lunar calendar, so its Gregorian dates vary each year.
What is Naadam Holiday?
Naadam is Mongolia’s national summer festival celebrating wrestling, archery, and horse racing, along with cultural heritage.
Why is December 29 significant?
December 29 is Independence Day, marking Mongolia’s restoration of independence from Qing rule in 1911.
Conclusion
Public holidays in Mongolia reflect the country’s nomadic heritage, Buddhist traditions, and national history. From Tsagaan Sar and Naadam to Independence Day and National Pride Day, these holidays play a central cultural role. Because several observances are lunar-based, official dates may vary slightly each year and should be confirmed closer to the time.
