Ulaanbaatar traditionally welcomes the start of the New Year's festivities by lighting the tree on Sukhbaatar Square. This year, lighting the tree lighting ceremony is held publicly on Monday (19^th of December) on the Mongolian capital's central square.

A total of 20 workers have been working since the 15^th of December decorating the 21 meter high ‘iron’ tree with eight kilometers of LED lightening.

There are two new year celebrations in Mongolia: the first celebration comes on the calendar New Year and is celebrated by Santa bringing gifts, family and work celebrations and parties culminating in raised glasses toasting in the New Year.

The second new year celebration is the traditional lunar new year. In Mongolia it is called Tsaagan Sar, meaning White Month. This year it will be celebrated at the end of January. Tsagaan Sar usually coincides with Chinese New Year and is determined by the date of the new moon.