Ultimate Guide to Tibetan New Year Celebrations in Tibet

Losar, or Tibetan New Year, stands as the most important celebration in Tibet's cultural calendar, a time when families gather, traditions are honored, and the whole region fills with joy and spiritual energy. Different to the Gregorian New Year on January 1st or the Chinese Spring Festival, Losar follows the Tibetan lunar calendar, usually falling in February or March of the Gregorian calendar. For 2026, the grand celebration kicks off on February 18th, marking the start of the Horse Year in the Tibetan zodiac.

Tibetans start preparing for Losar as early as the 12th month of the Tibetan calendar, turning their homes into hubs of activity as they ready for the new year. The first priority is cleaning—every corner of the house is scrubbed spotless, with dirt and rubbish carried to crossroads and discarded. It's a symbolic act to drive away negative energy, misfortunes, and evil spirits from the past year, ensuring the new year begins with purity. Next comes food preparation, a labor of love that binds families together. Women churn butter, brew chang, known as traditional highland barley wine, and cure beef and mutton, while men help gather ingredients for Guthuk—a special noodle soup that's the centerpiece of New Year's Eve celebrations. As the big day nears, homes are decorated with colorful cloths similar to hada, and a Qiema box is placed prominently inside. This decorative box holds barley, tsampa, and butter sculptures, all symbols of prayers for a bountiful harvest and prosperous year. The air fills with the aroma of spices and freshly baked pastries, making the anticipation of the celebration even more tangible.

The Core of Losar: Unforgettable Traditions and Rituals

The most unique tradition of Losar preparations is the Guthuk ceremony, held on the 29th day of the last Tibetan month. Families gather to cook this hearty noodle soup, which includes nine ingredients like spinach, tomatoes, dried cheese, and meat. Hidden within the soup are nine barley dough balls, each containing a small item that predicts the eater's fortune for the new year. A piece of wool means kindness, a coin signifies prosperity, while charcoal hints at a stubborn personality—finding each item sparks laughter and playful teasing among family members. After eating, families set off firecrackers and burn grass bundles, yelling for evil spirits to leave their homes and follow the flames to the crossroads. On New Year's Day itself, families stay close to home, savoring the most intimate moments of the celebration. Women rise before dawn to collect "auspicious water" from nearby rivers or lakes, which the family uses to wash their faces for good luck. Everyone dresses in their finest traditional clothes—men in elegant robes and leather boots, women in colorful aprons called Bangdian adorned with corals and pearls. The mother offers the Qiema box to each family member, who takes a pinch of tsampa and greets her with warm wishes like "Tashi Delek." The first day is strictly for family, with no visits to friends or relatives—this is time to cherish loved ones and reflect on the year ahead.

While the core traditions of Losar are shared across Tibet, different regions add their own unique flair to the celebration. In the Tsang region around Shigatse—Tibet's second-largest city—people pray to land gods and guardian deities on the second day, then hang prayer flags on rooftops on the third day to honor other deities. The kora around Tashilhunpo Monastery becomes a sea of pilgrims, with chants echoing through the streets. In the Amdo region, families climb mountains at dawn to burn cypress and juniper branches, offering prayers to the gods before visiting elderly villagers to convey New Year's greetings. The Gongbu area has the most unusual timing: their Losar starts on the first day of the 10th Tibetan month. On their New Year's Eve, a dog is invited to taste the feast first—if it eats cheese or ghee, it's a sign of abundant pastures; tsampa or cake means a good harvest, while meat predicts misfortune. This early celebration dates back to ancient times, when a local king ordered festivities to be held early so men could focus on defending the region during the traditional Losar period. These regional differences make exploring Tibet during Losar even more fascinating, as each area offers a fresh take on the holiday. 

Experiencing Losar as a Traveler: Top Tips and Highlights

Losar is an incredible time to visit Tibet, and Lhasa is the best base for travelers looking to immerse themselves in the celebrations. The kora around Jokhang Temple along Barkhor Street is a must-see—hundreds of pilgrims walk slowly, spinning prayer wheels and chanting mantras, often prostrating themselves every few steps. The Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple are adorned with festive decorations, and the sound of Tibetan opera and traditional singing fills the air from the third day onward. Horse racing, wrestling, and tug-of-war competitions start popping up in villages around Lhasa and Shigatse, offering a chance to see locals showcase their strength and skill.

Conclusion

To truly navigate Losar with ease and gain deeper insight into the customs you're witnessing, joining a locally-organized Tibet festival tour is a brilliant idea. Our guided tours are designed to place you at the ideal spots for major events, like the Butter Lamp displays, while our knowledgeable guides explain the stories behind the rituals.