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
It is the greatest festival in Tibet. In ancient times when the peach
tree was in blossom, it was considered as the starting of a new year.
Since the systematization of the Tibetan calendar in 1027 A.D., The
first day of the first month became fixed as the New Year. On the
New Year’s the families unite “auspicious dinner" is offered and the
auspicious words “tashi delek" are greeted. It is the most colorful
festival of Lhasa.
Monlam (great prayer festival of Lhasa)
Known also as the great prayer festival, this is held midway through
the first lunar month. An image of maitreya from the jokhang is borne
around the barkhor, attracting enthusiastic crowds of locals and pilgrims.
Saga dawa festival (May or June)
It is the holiest in Tibet, there memorable occasions coincide on
this day, Buddha’s birth and Buddha’s enlightenment. Almost every
person within Lhasa joins in circumambulations round the city and
spends their late afternoon on picnic at "dzongyab lukahng" park at
the foot of potala.
Gyantse horse race & archery (May or June)
Horse race and archery are generally popular in Tibet, and gyantse
enjoys prestige of being the earliest in history by starting in 1408.
Contests in early times included horse race, archery, and shooting
on gallop followed by a few days' entertainment or picnicking. Presently
ball games, track and field events, folk songs and dances, barter
trade are in addition to the above.
Changtang chachen horse race festival - (10 august)
As the most important festival in north Tibet during the golden season
on the grassland, thousand of herdsmen throng to nakchu riding fine
horses, and carrying the local products. They form as city of tens
south of nakchu town. There will be thrilling horse race, archery
and demonstrations of horsemanship. Songs and dance troupes from all
part of Tibet will add to the fun.
Shoton festival (august)
It is the opera festival and the greatest festivals in Tibet. In ancient
times pious folks went into mountain hermitages of which yoghurt was
served for meal followed by entertainment of folk songs and dances.
Since 7th century, opera performances were held for days in norbu
lingka. Presently, opera contests and distribution of prizes are held
for seven days.
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 cures diseases. During its appearance
for one week in the sky, all the people in Tibet go into the river
for bathing.
Lithang horse racing festival:
The Tibetan area of Kham in West-Sichuan is comprised of Garze Tibet
Autonomous Prefecture and this area features snowy mountains. Here
also plants of various shapes and colors and numerous wild animals
exist.