The Shoton Festival brings Lhasa alive with its tapestry of colors, sounds, and spirituality. Known as the “Yogurt Festival,” this celebration invites you to witness the deeply rooted traditions of Tibetan culture. From monumental Thangka unveilings to traditional Tibetan opera, the Shoton Festival is an unforgettable journey into the heart of Tibet.
Shoton Festival (sometimes spelled Sho Dun) is one of Tibet’s largest and most famous festivals. It is celebrated in summer and the exact dates change every year based on the Tibetan Lunar calendar. Thousands of people come to celebrate it, many dressed in their finest traditional clothes, making it a great opportunity to see traditional Tibetan Culture. There is so much interaction with locals during festival activities.
Shoton, in Tibetan, means Yogurt banquet. During the festival, Tibetan artists perform traditional operas, and important monasteries display large Thangkas—Buddha paintings. The main events gave the festival the other two names—”Tibetan Opera Festival” and “Thangka Exhibition Festival.”
What is the Shoton Festival?
The Shoton Festival, or Yogurt Festival, began centuries ago as a humble religious observance. Monks, secluded in monasteries for meditation during summer to avoid harming insects, would emerge at the summer’s end. Locals welcomed them with offerings of yogurt, marking the festival’s origins.
Over time, it grew into a grand celebration featuring awe-inspiring Thangka displays, cultural performances, and communal gatherings.
SHOTON FESTIVAL IN 2025/2026
The celebration of the Shoton festival starts on the 30th day of the 6th Tibetan month according to the Lunar Calendar. In 2025, the first day of the festival falls on August 23rd. On the first day, you can see the large Thangka display in Drepung and Sera monastery, as well as the Opera dance in Norbulingka Park. After that, Tibetans continue to celebrate for a week.
Save the dates:
“We traveled to Tibet in August during the Shoton festival. The first day of festival we visited two main monasteries, Drepung and Sera. And on the next day we went to the summer palace to watch opera and have a picnic with other Tibetans.
It was an incredible experience, we felt like we were a part of Tibetan life.”
Frequently Asked Questions
MAIN ACTIVITIES OF THE SHOTON FESTIVAL
Shoton festival starts on the 30th day of the 6th Tibetan month. Tibetans use the Lunar calendar. According to the world calendar, the festival date usually falls on August.
The festival is very popular among Tibetans. On that day, thousands of Tibetan people gather at Drepung monastery. Most Tibetans wear traditional dress and colorful jewelry and decorations. Early in the morning, Drepung Monastery monks display a huge Thangka—a Buddha Painting. Tibetans believe that this Thangka can give blessings.
People are walking towards and then underneath the Thangka. The unveiling of the Thangka is one of the most exciting moments. It is so large and heavy that many monks have to stay on top of the wall to coordinate enrolling, while others help them at the foot of the wall. Monks are blowing large trumpet horns.
After visiting Drepung, pilgrims rush to the Sera monastery to view another giant Thangka display. Monks of Sera monastery start unveiling the Thangka later in the day so that pilgrims can visit both places. If you stay longer in the Sera monastery complex you can see how Thangka is rolled back up and monks carry it away.
Both monasteries have several giant Thangkas, and they display only one of them once a year. That’s why the Shoton Festival is very special for Tibetans. Everyone wants to see these Thangkas and receive the blessings.
Once Tibetans receive blessings from both Thangkas, they head to Norbulingka Park. Finally, they can rest in the shade of trees. In Norbulingka, Tibetan artists perform traditional opera dance. Some visitors watch the opera, others settle down on the ground to have lunch with their family and friends. Everyone visits all the Palaces in the park to pray and leave donations.
PLACES TO VISIT DURING SHOTON
DREPUNG MONASTERY
The Shoton Festival celebration begins in Drepung Monastery. We can already see the large Thangka from a distance. Unlike on the regular days, we will have to approach the monastery from the bottom of the hill. We will walk around the monastery complex directly to the wall with displayed Thangka. Once we walk by the Buddha Painting, we will head to the center of the monastery complex. If the Assembly hall is open, you can visit it, along with nearby chapels.
On the way down from Drepung monastery we can buy yogurt from many of the local villagers. Many Tibetans also visit the Nechung Oracle Temple at the foot of the mountain.
SERA MONASTERY
Monks unveil giant Thangka in Sera monastery late in the day. Unlike on regular days, we don’t enter the monastery complex from the main gate. Instead, we walk around the monastery to approach the wall with the Thangka. From a distance, you can see the Buddha image.
After viewing the Thangka we can often buy traditional Tibetan medicine, protection amulets, and other things from Sera monastery monks.
If you wish to stay longer, you can witness how monks roll the Thangka back up to carry it away. The process requires hard work and coordination of many monks.
NORBULINGKA
Norbulingka becomes a center of celebration during the Shoton Festival time.
Tibetans gather there with families. Some set up tents, others cover the ground with blankets to have a picnic.
The main event is happening on a stage where artists perform Tibetan opera dance. Every dance tells a story. Artists wear masks and colorful costumes. Some stories are so long that it might take artists several years to learn the dance and practice it.
SHOTON FESTIVAL HISTORY
The history of celebrating the Shoton festival goes back to the 14th century, the time when Master Tsongkapa lived. He initiated a tradition for monks to concentrate on meditation in monasteries from Saga Dawa (4th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar) to Shoton Festival (the 30th day of the 6th lunar month).
During that time, the temperature in Tibet is the highest. In the middle of summer, there are many small insects that you often cannot even see, but it is easy to step on them. That’s why monks tried not to walk outside. To avoid killing and earn merit, monks and religious people went on retreats in caves or stayed within monasteries.
The temperature decreases around the 30th day of the 6th Lunar month. Tibetans call this day Nam-Ghang. Because Nam-Ghang is a religious day, Tibetans eat only vegetarian food. That’s why people are offering yogurt to monks returning from retreats. Yogurt abundant in summer months, helps them to regain their energy.
As a gratitude to the Tibetan people, monks decided to give something back. That’s when the tradition of the Shoton Festival started. Monks display very special huge Thangka paintings to give blessings to all people.
Statues of Tsongkhapa and his two disciples in Sera monastery- Eating yogurt during Shoton festival
SHOTON FESTIVAL TOUR
Shoton Festival Group Tour: August 21 – 29, 2025
The Shoton or Yogurt festival is one of the most important festivals in Tibet. Festival tour is created to allow you to see the most interesting events during the Shoton. Tibetans celebrate Shoton for a week, the first two days, however, are the most important. On the first day of celebration Tibetans wake up early to visit two main monasteries in Lhasa – Drepung in the morning and Sera in the afternoon.
Suggested short Itinerary for a visit during shoton festival
| Day | Activities |
|---|
| Day 1 | Attend the Thangka unveiling at Drepung and Sera Monasteries. |
| Day 2 | Enjoy Tibetan opera performances and picnics at Norbulingka. |
| Day 3-4 | Explore Lhasa landmarks like the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple. |
Photography Tips for the Shoton Festival
The Shoton Festival is a photographer’s dream, offering stunning visuals at every turn. Start your day early—really early—to capture the magic of the Thangka unveiling ceremony at Drepung Monastery. By 8:30 a.m., the first sunlight bathes the hillside, illuminating a breathtaking scene of the Giant Thangka unveiling and pilgrims throwing white scarves – thadas toward the Thangka.
After the spiritual experience of the morning, shift your focus to the lively Tibetan opera performances at Norbulingka Park. Starting at 11 a.m. and running until dusk, these vibrant displays feature performers in elaborate costumes bringing ancient Tibetan legends to life. The shaded park, filled with families enjoying picnics, offers plenty of candid moments to capture the festival’s warm, communal spirit.
Always remember to ask for permission before photographing people, as a gesture of respect for their traditions.
