Events

Residents and guests of Kalmykia are invited to the closing of the motorcycle season on October 17, 2026 at Motodrom Elista. The program includes a motorcade from the former vegetable market past the Central Khurul Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni to the motodrom, the open DOSAAF Russia cup in cross-country motorcycle sport, the 4th stage of the Russian championship in rally-raid Baja Great Steppe (T5 trucks), an exhibition from the motorcycle sports museum, award ceremonies, demonstration performances, and an evening rock concert. No detailed start time was published. Elista observes Moscow time (MSK).

Source: https://tegrk.ru/archives/271037

Elista hosts the Festival of National Orchestras of Russia from October 23 through November 3, 2026, opening the 38th season of the National Orchestra of Kalmykia. The October 23 concert is a joint program with the Metelitsa State Orchestra of Russian Folk Instruments from Saint Petersburg. Later dated concerts on the same stage are October 30 with the Bulat Gazdanov National State Orchestra of Folk Instruments of North Ossetia-Alania from Vladikavkaz, and November 3 with the National Orchestra of Folk Instruments of the Republic of Bashkortostan from Ufa. A start time was not published. Venue address on the ticket page is 5 Pushkin Street. The festival is dedicated to the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia. Source: https://www.kalmykiatour.com/2026/festival-nacionalnyh-orkestrov-rossii-2026/

Honored Artist of the Republic of Kalmykia Vasily Vasilyevich Mudzhikov holds a creative evening on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 18:00 at the Russian Drama and Comedy Theater of the Republic of Kalmykia in Elista. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Kalmykia announced the evening. Tickets are listed at 500 rubles. The page does not print a timezone label; Elista observes Moscow time (MSK). Source: https://www.kalmykiatour.com/2026/tvorcheskij-vecher-vasiliya-mudzhikova/

The State Choir of the Republic of Kalmykia named after Anatoly Tsebekov performs the program Under One Sky on October 29, 2026 at 18:30 at the Kalmyk State Philharmonic named after A.N. Mandzhiev. Dedicated to the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, the concert features Armenian, Georgian, Chechen, Ingush, Bulgarian, Kalmyk and Russian songs performed by soloists with the choir. Artistic director and chief conductor Olga Serdyukova. Tickets 500-1000 rubles. Elista observes Moscow time (MSK).
Source: https://www.kalmykiatour.com/2026/osennij-koncert-pod-nebom-edinym/

Folklore performance Kalmyk Wedding (Kalmytskaya svadba) on October 30, 2026 at 18:00 at the National Dramatic Theater named after B. Basangov. The play, written and directed by Honored Art Worker of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kalmykia Boris Mandzhiev, presents a traditional Kalmyk wedding and preserves the living spoken language, maktals, yoryals, ritual songs and customs. Tickets 400-500 rubles. Age 12+. Elista observes Moscow time (MSK).
Source: https://quicktickets.ru/elista-teatr-basangova/s492

Second dated concert of the Festival of National Orchestras of Russia. On Friday, October 30, 2026, the National Orchestra of Kalmykia shares the stage with the Bulat Gazdanov National State Orchestra of Folk Instruments of North Ossetia-Alania from Vladikavkaz. A start time was not published. Venue is the Kalmyk State Philharmonic named after A.N. Mandzhiev, 5 Pushkin Street, Elista. Source: https://www.kalmykiatour.com/2026/festival-nacionalnyh-orkestrov-rossii-2026/

Lhabab Duchen commemorates Shakyamuni Buddha's descent from Tushita Heaven to earth. In Kalmykia this day is observed with temple prayers and offerings. The 2026 date is listed as 1 November on the Kalmyk holiday calendar. Confirm prayer times with your local khurul; Howell, NJ and Philadelphia temples often hold services on the same lunar day.

Source: https://www.kalmykiatour.com/prazdniki/nishozhdenie-buddy-s-neba-tushita-na-zemlyu

Closing dated concert of the Festival of National Orchestras of Russia. On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, the National Orchestra of Kalmykia shares the stage with the National Orchestra of Folk Instruments of the Republic of Bashkortostan from Ufa. A start time was not published. Venue is the Kalmyk State Philharmonic named after A.N. Mandzhiev, 5 Pushkin Street, Elista. Source: https://www.kalmykiatour.com/2026/festival-nacionalnyh-orkestrov-rossii-2026/

Concert Believe in the Dream (Pover v mechtu) featuring songs of Yuri Antonov on November 7, 2026 at 17:00 at the Kalmyk State Philharmonic named after A.N. Mandzhiev. Baritone Maxim Shcherbitsky performs with the State Symphony Orchestra of the Republic of Kalmykia under Mergen Nastinov. Program of golden hits including Letyashchey pokhodkoy, 20 let spustya and others. Tickets 1000-1500 rubles. Elista observes Moscow time (MSK).
Source: https://www.kalmykiatour.com/2026/koncert-pover-v-mechtu/

The Mahayana Sutra and Tantra Center of New Jersey hosts Gyume Khensur Lobsang Pendha Rinpoche (Sera Mey) for a two-day Green Tara teaching and Permission Blessing (Jenang) at Rashi Gempil Ling, the first Kalmyk Buddhist temple in the USA. Sessions run Saturday November 22 and Sunday November 23, 2026: mornings expected to begin at 10:00 AM and afternoons at 2:00 PM. The Saturday morning session includes the Green Tara Jenang. Remaining sessions focus on oral commentary on the Twenty-One Taras verses and an oral transmission of a brief sadhana. Vegetarian lunch is provided both days after the morning session. Attendees should observe vegetarian diet for the two days. Registration is not required but RSVP is requested for meal planning. All with faith in the Three Jewels are welcome.

Source: https://www.rashigempilling.com/

The Kalmyk American Culture and Arts Foundation invites the community to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Kalmyks in the United States on Saturday, November 28, 2026. Valet opens at 4:30 PM and the evening ends at 11:00 PM at The Ashi Hotel in New Jersey. More details to come. Follow @75thkalmykusa on Instagram for updates. The event continues the anniversary year that has included Tsagaan Sar and Naadam gatherings. The souvenir journal for the gala has a submission deadline of October 15, 2026.

Source: https://www.kalmykheritagecenter.com/news/75th-anniversary-gala

Annual life-extending rituals (Nasn utdullhgn) at the Central Khurul in Elista are listed for 1-13 December 2026, ahead of Zul. These pujas are traditionally held before the Kalmyk winter new year. Check khurul.ru or the temple notice board for the daily schedule.

Source: https://www.kalmykiatour.com/prazdniki/kalmyckij-novyj-god-zul

Zul, the Kalmyk festival of a thousand butter lamps and the traditional winter new-year / birthday-of-the-people observance, falls on 3 December 2026 (Sunday) according to the lunar calendar used at the Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni. It is a national holiday of the Republic of Kalmykia. The KalmykiaTour Zul page states that the festive prayer service begins at 09:00. Life-extending rituals are held at the same khurul from 1 to 13 December.

Source: https://www.kalmykiatour.com/prazdniki/kalmyckij-novyj-god-zul/