Mongolia Tsagaan Sar/Mongolian Lunar New Year Calendar 2025 to 2030
March 1 to 3, 2025February 17 to 20, 2026
February 6 to 8, 2027
February 24 to 26, 2028
February 13 to 15, 2029
February 3 to 5, 2030
Annually, Mongolians celebrate Tsagaan Sar, also known as the Mongolian Lunar New Year, at the transition between winter and spring. The exact date depends on the lunar calendar. Usually, Mongolians celebrate it on a new moon day at the end of January or February for three days, seeing off the winter end and welcoming a flourishing spring of the new year. It is a popular family holiday to visit parents, relatives, neighbors, and friends.
Tsagaan Sar Preperation
The holiday symbolizes a healthy and prosperous life, which is why people start preparing for Tsagaan Sar a month in advance. Families typically make hundreds or even thousands of buuz (large dumplings) and bansh (small dumplings) to serve when relatives, neighbors, and friends visit. Gers, animal barns, and yards need to be as clean as possible. Women make new deels (a traditional dress) for each family member.
How do Mongolians celebrate Tsagaan Sar?
The Lunar New Year's Eve
The day before Tsagaan Sar is named “bituun” or no moon day. On this day, families put a feast of sheep rump and erect layers of traditional cookies on large plates by odd numbers decorated with candies and dairy products. There are fermented mare's milk beverage Airag, rice cooked with curd, steamed and boiled dumplings, and much more on the table. When it gets dark, people wear their finest clothes, sit around the table, and eat as much as possible. The neighbors, relatives, and families also visit each other if they wish. Families put three pieces of ice and hay at the doorway for the deity Baldan Lham and her mute because people believe the deity visits families on the Tsagaan Sar Eve. You can see this custom when you spend Tsagaan Sar with families living in gers.
The First Day of Tsagaan Sar
On the first day of the first lunar month of spring, people get up before sunrise, get dressed in their nicest clothes, and walk in the directions prescribed by the zodiac to start the new year in the right direction. It is thought to bring good luck, health, and safety for the coming year. Next, men climb the nearest mountain or hill to greet the first sunrise of the Lunar New Year. Women boil milk tea and offer their best to the earth and shrine before serving the family members. Next, serve large and small dumplings on the table. Afterward, the greeting ceremony starts. The eldest or hosts of the family sit at khoimor (opposite side of a door).
How do Mongolians greet during Tsagaan Sar?
When people greet, including the family members, both people extend their arms, turning their palms up. The extended arms of the younger person support the elder at the elbows, and they say, “Amar sain baina uu?” which means, “How are you? The elder one says, “Mendee, amar sain uu?” meaning “Fine, and you?” and an older person kisses the younger one on both cheeks. Sometimes, this action is done with Khadag - a symbolic blue ribbon, through which they express their respect for each other. After the family greetings, families visit parents' homes, elders' homes, relatives' homes, friends' homes, and each other's homes in the community. First, the younger people visit elders’ homes to greet them and are offered dumplings, milk tea, etc. This way, the holiday continues officially for three days, but in practice, the holiday continues longer if family members travel long distances to greet one another.
Would you like to travel to Mongolia in winter and celebrate Tsagaan Sar with Mongolians? We will be happy to arrange the Tsagaan Sar experience.