The first day of the seventh month of the Tibetan year is the Shoton Festival, or the Yogurt Banquet Festival, which falls in August. When the lamas came back from their cultivation in mountains, they were welcomed by local people and their relatives with yogurt and had an outdoor banquet.

Since the 17th century, opera performances have been given during the festival. Tibetan artists from different schools from various parts gather in Norbu Lingka, Lhasa, for opera performances and competitions for several days. At the same time, a ceremony for sunning Buddha will be held at the Drepung Monastery.