Leisure activities include visiting family and friends, watching television, going to the cinema, and, especially in summer, making outings to the countryside. Saturday is a favorite day for picnics, and the majority of families residing in apartment buildings own small summer houses and huts in the hills around the capital city. Traditional songs are often sung at weddings or family gatherings, modern folk song concerts and comedy shows in Ulaanbaatar draw large audiences. Traditional dance and music performances, classic and national operas, ballet and circus are main evening entertainments offered to tourists. There are a great number of restaurants and disco bars in Ulaanbaatar. More modern entertainment such as rock concerts are increasingly popular among young people. Billiards, soccer, volleyball, basketball, and table tennis are also enjoyed.

Public holidays include:

New Year’s Day -1 January;
Tsagaan Sar (White Month) – (9-11 February 2005) the lunar New Year, celebrated on the first two days of the first lunar month, usually comes in February, marked by family gatherings.
Women’s Day - 8 March;
Children’s Day – 1 June
Naadam - 11–13 July, when a huge festival featuring sports and music attracts Mongolians from all the country;
Independence Day - 26 November.