Losar, or the Tibetan New Year, is an important celebration from Tibet, also widely celebrated in parts of Bhutan, Nepal and India. In India, it is celebrated particularly in regions in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Ladakh. Losar is celebrated to mark the beginning of the Tibetan New Year and goes on for fifteen days. In 2026, it will fall on Wednesday, February 18. What is the festival about and how is it celebrated? Here’s more information about Losar 2026!
Losar Festival 2026: Dates, Celebrations, And More Useful Information
What Is Losar Festival And Its Origins?
Tibetan New Year or Losar is considered to be the most significant celebration in the Tibetan calendar. It is not only significant for marking the beginning of the Tibetan New Year, but also has a role in cementing positive cultural exchanges between the Han and Tibetan communities.
It is believed that in 641 AD, Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo married Princess Wencheng from the Tang Dynasty of China. The marriage marked a deeper connection between the two ethnic groups. Eventually, the Tibetan calendar incorporated certain rituals and customs from the Chinese calendar and that is how Tibetan Losar was born.
Tibetan Losar Dates
The festival of Losar is celebrated on the first day of the lunisolar Tibetan calendar. It generally corresponds to a date in February or March in the modern Gregorian calendar. The festival is celebrated majorly on the first through third days of the Tibetan calendar, however, celebrations last for about 15 days.
Major celebrations of Losar begin on the last two days of the previous year and continue through the third day of the new year. Here’s a chart that can help you understand the date distribution better.
| Gregorian Calendar date (2026) | Tibetan Calendar month | Tibetan Calendar date | Tibetan Festival / Occasion |
| 16th February | 12th month of the previous year | 28th of the 12th month | First Gutok Day |
| 17th February | 29th of the 12th month | New Year’s Eve | |
| 18th February | 1st month of the new year | 1st of the 1st month | New Year’s Day – Losar |
| 19th February | 2nd of the 1st month | Day 2 of Losar | |
| 20th February | 3rd of the 1st month | Day 3 of Losar |
First Gotuk Day: 16th February, 2026
On this day, families engage in house cleaning, especially the kitchen. Homes are decorated with new prayer flags, old and broken items are discarded, and aromatic juniper branches are burnt to purify the space. It is believed that cleaning invites positive energy and good fortune into the house.
New Year’s Eve: 17th February, 2026
Considered to be the ‘night of the Gutok’, this day is celebrated by eating gutok, a traditional dumpling soup made of meat, rice, sweet potatoes, wheat, yak cheese, green peppers, and radishes. The food preparation is believed to bring good fortune and health to the family.
After enjoying gutok together, families participate in a ritual to drive away negative energies and bad spirits from their homes. They use torches made of straw and tsampa and light firecrackers.
New Year’s Day: 18th February, 2026
The first day of the new year is celebrated by burning incense and visiting temples to seek blessings. On this day, the atmosphere in villages and towns is festive and communities engage in spiritual practice to bring good fortune and prosperity.
Day 2 of the New Year: 19th February, 2026
On the second day, families, relatives, and friends visit each other. Families exchange ‘Chema’, sacred offerings filled with fried barley, tsampa, straw of barley, and flowers made of yak butter as New Year’s greetings. They also make and enjoy Tibetan butter tea and other delicacies that are specially made for the festival.
Day 3 of the New Year: 20th February, 2026
This is the last major day of celebration during Losar when families visit local monasteries and participate in the Wei Sang ceremony. In this ceremony, people burn pieces of tree branches, particularly cypress, juniper, and other herbs to make aromatic smoke – believed to be an offering to Lord Buddha. Families also hang new prayer flags on their hous rooftops and on mountain tops.
Also Read: 7 Monasteries In Sikkim To Visit For A Tranquil Holiday!
Things To Keep In Mind During Losar 2026
- The February-March season is considered to be a low tourist season in Tibet. Parts of India like Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh are also in their low tourist season whereas Ladakh is almost shut. So expect minimum crowds and fair deals on restaurants and hotels.
- If you’re visiting Tibet (or even parts in India) during this time, ensure that you make your flight bookings and accommodation bookings well in advance to be on the safer side.
- Follow local customs and respect local traditions. Showing respect towards local customs and traditions shows that you appreciate cultural diversity.
- Pack for winter clothing as these regions can get quite cold in the months of February and March. Carry multiple warm layers, including water-proof jackets, shawls, gloves, etc.
- Check with local people if restaurants, roads, and other facilities where you’re staying will stay open or remain shut during Losar. Plan your itinerary for the rest of the days accordingly.
Best Places To Visit To Experience Losar 2026
If you’re planning to get an in-person experience of Losar 2026, here are some places you can visit:
- Lhasa, Tibet: Witness grand ceremonies at Jokhang Temple and Potala Palace.
- Sikkim, India: Visit local monasteries in Gangtok and Pelling.
- Kathmandu, Nepal: Celebrate the festival at the Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath Temple with the Tibetan communities.
- Leh-Ladakh, India: Enjoy cultural performances and festivities at the various monasteries like those in Hemis and Thiksey.
Also Read: 8 Foods In Leh Ladakh That You Must Try!
Summing Up
Losar 2026 is just a week away – taking place on 18th February. The festival marks the beginning of the New Year as per Tibetan tradition and is a celebration believed to bring prosperity, good health, and good fortune. Not just Tibet, but the festival is celebrated in many parts of India, Bhutan, and Nepal!
