Every year, thousands of locals and travellers gather on the frozen surface of Lake Khövsgöl to celebrate a unique blend of sport, culture, and respect for nature for the Blue Pearl Ice Festival! This is one of the most authentic showcases of northern Mongolian resilience and identity.
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The Blue Ice Festival
The Blue Pearl Ice Festival takes place in Khatgal, a small village at the southern tip of Lake Khövsgöl in northern Mongolia. Khövsgöl is Mongolia’s largest freshwater lake by volume, often called the “Blue Pearl” for its deep, crystal-clear waters. In winter, the lake freezes solid – up to 1 metre thick – transforming into an icy playground framed by the mountains of the Siberian taiga.
The festival began in 2000, started by two local environmental inspectors who wanted to raise awareness of protecting Khövsgöl Lake while encouraging winter tourism. The first event was modest: a sled-horse race held on the ice to draw attention to the beauty and vulnerability of the lake. In 2001, it expanded into a larger community celebration, gaining official recognition as a regional winter tourism event.
In 2026, the festival is held on March 2nd and 3rd.
What Events Can You Spectate?
The festival is an energetic display of traditional winter sports and cultural activities. Expect to see:
- Horse sled races: Competing drivers steer their sleds across the frozen lake, demonstrating strength, speed, and control.
- Ice skating and bicycle races: Locals and tourists race on specially cleared ice tracks.
- Ice sumo wrestling: Participants wrestle on the slippery surface, adding a layer of difficulty (and humour) to Mongolia’s national sport.
- Archery competitions: Archers test their precision in sub-zero temperatures, often wearing thick deels and fur hats.
- Shagai (ankle bone) games: A traditional Mongolian game involving flicking sheep or goat ankle bones at targets.
- Ice sculptures: Local artists carve detailed sculptures of animals, deities, and symbols from massive blocks of lake ice.
- Cultural performances: Folk dance, throat singing, and musical performances are held on makeshift stages built directly on the ice.
- Shamanic ceremonies: Local shamans perform rituals honouring the spirits of Khövsgöl Lake, reinforcing the festival’s environmental origins.
Why Is The Blue Pearl Ice Festival Unique?
Unlike commercial ice festivals in China or Europe, the Blue Pearl Ice Festival remains rooted in community, environment, and practicality. It isn’t about lights and glamour – it’s about showcasing life in one of the world’s harshest winter regions and preserving the connection between people and nature.
Vehicles are banned from driving onto the ice to protect the lake. Most transport is by foot, horse sled, or small wooden carts pulled by yaks. Local families set up food stalls selling hearty stews, hot tea, dried curds, and meat-filled khuushuur to keep visitors warm in temperatures that can drop to –35°C.
The Blue Pearl Ice Festival is more than a sporting event – it’s a way to celebrate Khövsgöl’s importance in Mongolian identity. The lake is considered sacred, often referred to as “Mother Sea.” The festival honours her, with bonfires and ceremonies held to ensure her protection. Locals believe that disturbing the lake with pollution or disrespect can anger its spirits, bringing misfortune to nearby communities.
Why You Should Visit The Blue Pearl Ice Festival
If you want to see Mongolia beyond summer grasslands and Gobi deserts, the Blue Pearl Ice Festival is the ultimate winter experience. It offers raw nature, cultural immersion, and local community spirit – no staged performances or artificial displays. Just real people, real traditions, and a lake that has sustained life here for thousands of years.
The Blue Pearl Ice Festival proves that Mongolia isn’t just a place to visit – it’s a place to witness a way of life that endures in every season, even in the deepest cold.
Join YPT’s Mongolia Ice and Reindeer Festival tour to visit not one, but two winter festivals – The Blue Pearl Ice Festival and the Reindeer Festival!
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