Mongolian community gathers for Naadam 2026 festival in Busse Woods
The Chicago Mongolian community has celebrated Naadam annually since 2000.
With more than 3,000 attendees expected, the 2026 festival is positioned as potentially the largest Naadam celebration in the United States.
The event is organized by Mongolian community-based nonprofit organizations in cooperation with the Consulate of Mongolia in Chicago. It is centered on three traditional competitions: wrestling, archery and horse racing.
The flags are presented during the opening Mongol Naadam celebration Saturday at Busse Woods in Elk Grove Village. Naadam means “games” in Mongolian and centers on three traditional competitions: wrestling, archery and horse racing.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Mongolian Consulate General of Chicago Battsetseg Tuvshintugs speaks during the Mongol Naadam celebration Saturday in Busse Woods in Elk Grove Village. The cultural festival is organized by Mongolian community-based nonprofit organizations in cooperation with the Consulate of Mongolia in Chicago.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Onlookers take photos and video of the opening ceremonies of Mongol Naadam Saturday at Busse Woods in Elk Grove Village.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com