For the first time in its history, Ulaanbaatar City hosted a joint celebration of Capital City Day and the Khuree Tsam–Danshig Naadam 2025 last weekend, marking the beginning of a new tradition. Previously, these two significant events were held separately—Danshig Naadam taking place annually during the first weekend of August, and Capital City Day commemorated each year on October 29.
Beginning this year, the capital city consolidated both events into one large-scale celebration held on the final weekend of June, as we previously reported. This move is expected to expand the scale and cultural reach of the festivities while boosting tourism during the summer season, as both locals and international visitors gathered to enjoy a unique blend of spiritual heritage, cultural pride, and entertainment.
The highlight of the festival, officially titled “Khuree Tsam–Danshig Naadam 2025” was the final ritual of the sacred Tsam dance, which concluded with the traditional “Sor Zalakh” ceremony. Deeply rooted in Buddhist spiritual practice, this ritual symbolizes the purification and removal of misfortune. Devotees participated by writing down personal hardships, illnesses, and negative energies on pieces of paper or holding a “balin”—a sacred object imbued with intention—and offering them to fire. It is believed that through this act, all misfortune is spiritually cleansed.
The festivities transformed the public space into a vibrant, well-organized venue. The entire festival area was divided into eight themed sectors, categorized under two main domains: cultural and artistic showcases, and trade and service areas. 165 booths operated during the two-day event, providing visitors with a wide range of food, crafts, performances, and community activities. Authorities strictly prohibited unregulated street vending to maintain order and enhance the visitor experience.
By uniting Khuree Tsam–Danshig Naadam with Capital City Day, Ulaanbaatar has not only streamlined two major annual events but also set the stage for a more impactful and internationally appealing festival that celebrates the capital city’s spiritual legacy and contemporary identity in equal measure.
