Tibet vacations can start with the traditional New Year's celebration and continue all year long until it's time to celebrate at a local festival scheduled early, just in case there's a chance the traditional New Year's celebration might be missed.
Tibet vacations scheduled to celebrate the Tibetan New Year need to happen in February or March, depending on the year. The first day of the first month of the lunar Tibetan calendar was established in 1027 as the official New Year's Day. This varies each year but is predictable since 1027. Before that, the holiday was celebrated when the peach trees started blossoming.
Extend Tibet vacations a couple of weeks for the Butter Oil Lantern Festival, which takes place on the 15th day of the first lunar month. Huge sculptures made from yak butter dot the capital city of Lhasa, a sight probably unimaginable anywhere else.
Saga Dawa Festival, in May or June, commemorates the dates of Buddha's birth and enlightenment. Enjoy Tibet vacations during this holiest of celebrations with picnics in the park at the foot of spectacular Potala Palace, historic home of the Dalai Lama.
May, June, and August Tibet vacations will delight the traveler with horse and archery related festivals, some of which date back to the year 1408. These festivals bring many entertaining aspects to Tibet vacations, including horse and yak races, archery and other track and field events, singing and dancing, traditional costumes, feasting, and fairs.
Ancient Yellow Sect Buddhist custom dictates minimal human activities outdoors during the summer months so as to avoid harming animals that are most active during that time of year. Tibet vacations scheduled for August, marking the end of summer when it's again OK for humans to enjoy the outdoors, might include the Shoton Festival, also known as the Tibetan Opera Festival since opera performances are staged in Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's summer palace.
Tibet vacations in September might take the visitor to the Bathing Festival, celebrated when the sacred planet Venus is visible for a week. It is believed that Venus' appearance in the sky makes the waters purest and capable of curing diseases so Tibetan people flock to the rivers to ceremoniously wash away the year's accumulation of dirt and grime.
September brings the Harvest Festival to the agricultural peoples of the countryside. Tourists enjoying Tibet vacations in these areas are encouraged to enjoy the horse racing, games, costume shows, archery contests, singing, dancing, and feasting with the local farmers and their families.
Once upon a time a long time ago, Tibet was threatened with a wintertime invasion from large and hostile forces. It was feared the warriors defending the Kongpo people wouldn't be able to come home in time to celebrate New Year's Day so a festival was held on October 1 so the warriors could participate in traditional games of archery, shooting, and racing. This festival is now celebrated in November or December, depending on the lunar calendar. This Kungbu Traditional Festival can add a lively touch of history to Tibet vacations scheduled during the wintertime.