If possible, try to time your visit to Lhasa with one of the city's festivals. Pilgrims often flock to Lhasa at these times and the city takes on a colorful party atmosphere. The following Tibetan festivals are calculated according to the lunar calendar. Check before for the precise dates.

Tibetan New Year (March 9)

This is the greatest festival in Tibet. In ancient times, when the peach trees were in blossom, it was considered the start of a new year. Since the systematization of the Tibetan calendar in 1027 AD, the first day of the first month was fixed as the New Year. On the New Year's Day, families unite, an "auspicious dipper" is offered, and the auspicious words "tashi delek" are greeted.

Butter Oil Lantern Festival (Feb 22)

The last day of the Great Prayer Festival is celebrated as Butter oil lantern festival. In order to commemorate Sakyamuni's victory over non-Buddhist opponents, the Lord of Neu Dzong, a noted patron of Tsongkapa, illuminated numerous butter-lamps in 1409.

Saga Dawa Festival (May 21)

Gods in heaven are believed to descend to the mortal world on this day. Incense sticks are lit in large numbers, and families go out in public parks for picnicking. The day is also known as the Worlds Incense Day.

Horse Racing Festival, Gyantse ( July 18)

Horse race and archery are extremely popular in Tibet. And Gyantse enjoys the prestige of being the earliest in history by starting in 1408. Contests in early times included horse races, archery, and shooting on galloping horseback followed by a few days of entertainment and picnicking. Ball games, track and field events, folk songs and dances, and barter trade are additional attractions to the above.

Yalong Cultural Festival

Yarlong culture is an important part not only of Tibetan culture but also of the world's. The festival is a combination of both art and economy, which displays the old brilliance and the new expectations at the same time. There are colorful activities like national sports contests, singing, dancing, Tibetan opera, ethnic costume shows and trade fairs.

Shoton Festival (September 01, September 06)

The Opera Festival is one of the greatest festivals in Tibet. In ancient times, pious folks went into mountain hermitages to do penance. On the last day of the festival, yogurt is served as meal followed by folk song and dance entertainment.

Ganden Festival

On the 15th day of the 6th Tibetan month, 25 precious articles belonging to ganden monastery, which are normally locked in their treasure house, are displayed in the main shrine hall. A grand offering ceremony accompanies the display. These articles consist of the images of the sixteen arhats, akshobhya, the secret assembly, the four great kings, the upasaka and hashang image.

Harvest Festival (September)

The farmers in Lhasa, gyantse and shangnan to celebrating their bumeer harvest in this time. During that time, people enjoy with horse racing games, costume fashion show, songs and dance archery and picnic etc.

Bathing Week

It is believed when the sacred planet Venus appears in the sky, the water in the river becomes purest and cure diseases. During its appearance for one week in the sky, all the people in Tibet go into the river for bathing.

Dates

Fairs & Festivals	2016	2017	2018
Tibetan New Year	March 9	Feb 26	-
The Great Prayer Festival (Monlam)	Feb 23	-	-
Butter Oil Lantern Festival	Feb 22	-	-
Saga Dawa Festival	May 21	-	-
Buddha Unfolding Festival	May 16	-	-
Chubacexi Festival	-	-	-
Horse Racing Festival, Gyantse	July 18	-	-
Yalong Cultural Festival	-	-	-
Paying Homage To The Holy Mountain Festival	-	-	-
Universal Prayers Festival	Jul 19	-	-
Changtang Chachen Horse Race Festival	10 Aug. – 16 Aug.	10 Aug. – 16 Aug.	10 Aug. – 16 Aug.
Shoton Festival	01 Sep - 06 Sep	-	-
Bathing Festival	Sep 09	-	-
Tsong Khapa Butter Lamp Festival	Feb 22	-	-