Kalmyk Heritage Center Community Participates in the 2026 Washington, D.C. Area Naadam Festival

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA — July 11, 2026 — The Kalmyk Heritage Center was proud to have our performers and community members participate in the 2026 Washington, D.C. Area Naadam Festival, one of the largest celebrations of Mongolian culture in the United States.

Hosted in Arlington, Virginia, the annual Naadam Festival brought together more than 2,000 attendees, including families, students, community organizations, and visitors from across the United States. The event celebrated Mongolia's rich cultural heritage through traditional Mongolian wrestling, archery, ankle bone games (Shagai), children's activities, music, dance, and cultural performances.

The festival was officially opened by H.E. U. Batbayar, Ambassador of Mongolia to the United States, and organized by the Embassy of Mongolia in the United States, the Mongolian Association of Washington, D.C., and partner organizations with the support of Mongolia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Kalmyk Heritage Center is honored to support events that preserve and celebrate the shared traditions of the Kalmyk, Oirat, and Mongolian communities. Participating in Naadam strengthens cultural connections, promotes heritage education, and helps introduce traditional arts and customs to new generations.

We are pleased to share photos from this memorable event featuring members of our community.

Photo Credit / Source: Embassy of Mongolia in the United States.

About Naadam

Naadam is Mongolia's national festival and a UNESCO-recognized Intangible Cultural Heritage tradition. Often called the "Three Manly Games," Naadam features traditional wrestling, horse racing, and archery while celebrating Mongolian history, culture, music, and community. Festivals like the Washington, D.C. Area Naadam help preserve these traditions for Mongolians, Kalmyks, Oirats, and friends of the culture living around the world.