Download Festival Calander
Bhutan Festivals
Bhutan's festivals are an important part of the country's living religious and cultural traditions. Throughout the year, annual festivals known as Tshechus take place in different parts of the country, bringing together local communities, monks, families and visitors.
Tshechus celebrate the great deeds of Padmasambhava, popularly known as Guru Rinpoche. The word "Tshechu" refers to the tenth day of the lunar month, and many Tshechus begin on this auspicious day.
These festivals generally continue for several days and feature sacred masked dances, religious performances and prayers. Depending on the location, the dances may be performed by monks, laymen or gomchens. Each festival has its own atmosphere and local character while retaining the religious traditions associated with Bhutanese Buddhism.
Some festivals conclude with the unveiling of a large sacred thongdrol, an enormous appliqué religious painting. The unveiling traditionally takes place at dawn and is considered a deeply auspicious moment for those who witness it.
Festivals may also include blessings known as wang, traditional costumes, local gatherings and the colourful presence of atsaras, who provide comic performances alongside the religious dances.
Experience Bhutan Through Its Festivals
For Bhutanese people, religious festivals are more than cultural celebrations. They are occasions for prayer, spiritual reflection, community gatherings and the preservation of traditions passed from one generation to another.
Villagers and families often travel from different places to attend their local festivals. People dress in their finest traditional clothing, meet friends and relatives, participate in religious activities and celebrate together.
For visitors, attending a festival provides an opportunity to witness Bhutanese religious traditions and community life in an authentic setting. Festival journeys can also be combined with sightseeing, cultural experiences, nature exploration and trekking.
Festival Etiquette
Bhutanese festivals are religious events held in sacred spaces. Visitors are warmly welcomed to witness these traditions, but it is important to remember that festivals are not simply performances arranged for tourists. They are genuine religious and cultural ceremonies.
- Dress respectfully and appropriately for the religious setting.
- Avoid loud talking, laughing or disruptive behaviour during religious dances and ceremonies.
- Do not enter or interfere with the dance area.
- Be considerate when taking photographs and avoid intrusive photography.
- Follow the instructions of local authorities, guides and festival organisers.
- Avoid eating or drinking in the dance ground during religious performances.
- Remember that the festival is a sacred religious gathering and should be treated with courtesy and sensitivity.
Visitors are encouraged to observe the ceremonies respectfully and allow local communities to celebrate their traditions without disruption.
Bhutan Festival Calendar 2026
Note: The following dates are listed as tentative festival dates for 2026. Festival dates and arrangements may be subject to change.
| No. | Festival | Location | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lhamoi Dromchhen | Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa | 22 Feb | 24 Feb |
| 2 | Punakha Dromchoe | Punakha Dzong, Punakha | 24 Feb | 26 Feb |
| 3 | Punakha Tshechu | Punakha Dzong, Punakha | 27 Feb | 1 Mar |
| 4 | Tharpaling Thongdrol | Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chumi, Bumthang | 3 Mar | — |
| 5 | Tangsibi Mani | Tangsibi Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang | 4 Mar | 6 Mar |
| 6 | Chhorten Kora | Chorten Kora, Trashiyangtse | 3 Mar & 19 Mar | — |
| 7 | Gomphukora | Gom Kora Lhakhang, Trashiyangtse | 26 Mar | 28 Mar |
| 8 | Talo Tshechu | Talo Gonpa, Punakha | 26 Mar | 28 Mar |
| 9 | Gasa Tshechu | Gasa Dzong, Gasa | 26 Mar | 28 Mar |
| 10 | Zhemgang Tshechu | Zhemgang Dzong, Zhemgang | 26 Mar | 28 Mar |
| 11 | Paro Tshechu | Rinpung Dzong, Paro | 29 Mar | 2 Apr |
| 12 | Rhododendron Festival | Lamperi Botanical Park, Thimphu | 13 Apr | 14 Apr |
| 13 | Domkhar Tshechu | Domkhar, Chumi, Bumthang | 26 Apr | 28 Apr |
| 14 | Ura Yakchoe | Ura Lhakhang, Bumthang | 28 Apr | 2 May |
| 15 | Nimalung Tshechu | Nimalung Dratshang, Chumi, Bumthang | 22 Jun | 24 Jun |
| 16 | Kurjey Tshechu | Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 24 Jun | — |
| 17 | Tour of the Dragon | Bumthang to Thimphu | 5 Sep | — |
| 18 | Thimphu Drubchen | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu | 17 Sep | — |
| 19 | Wangdue Tshechu | Wangduephodrang | 19 Sep | 21 Sep |
| 20 | Tamshing Phala Chhoepa | Tamshing Lhakhang, Bumthang | 21 Sep | 23 Sep |
| 21 | Thimphu Tshechu | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu | 21 Sep | 23 Sep |
| 22 | Gangtey Tshechu | Gangtey Gonpa, Wangduephodrang | 24 Sep | 26 Sep |
| 23 | Thangbi Mewang | Thangbi Lhakhang, Choekor, Bumthang | 26 Sep | 27 Sep |
| 24 | Pemagatshel Tshechu | Pemagatshel Dzong, Pemagatshel | 18 Oct | 21 Oct |
| 25 | Jhomolhari Mountain Festival | Dangochong, Thimphu | 14 Oct | 15 Oct |
| 26 | Chhukha Tshechu | Chhukha Dzong, Chhukha | 19 Oct | 21 Oct |
| 27 | Dechenphu Tshechu | Dechenphu Lhakhang, Thimphu | 21 Oct | — |
| 28 | Jakar Tshechu | Jakar Dzong, Choekhor, Bumthang | 18 Oct | 21 Oct |
| 29 | Jambay Lhakhang Drup | Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 26 Oct | 29 Oct |
| 30 | Prakhar Duchhoed | Prakar Lhakhang, Chumni, Bumthang | 27 Oct | 29 Oct |
| 31 | Haa Tshechu | Lhakhang Karpo, Haa | 19 Oct | 21 Oct |
| 32 | Black Necked Crane Festival | Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang | 11 Nov | — |
| 33 | Goenpai Drupchen | Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa | 14 Nov | 16 Nov |
| 34 | Mongar Tshechu | Mongar Dzong, Mongar | 17 Nov | 19 Nov |
| 35 | Trashigang Tshechu | Trashigang Dzong, Trashigang | 18 Nov | 20 Nov |
| 36 | Phuntsholing Tshechu | Phuntsholing, Chhukha | 17 Nov | 19 Nov |
| 37 | Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham | Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 24 Nov | — |
| 38 | Nalakhar Tshechu | Ngaa Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 24 Nov | 26 Nov |
| 39 | Druk Wangyel Tshechu | Dochula, Thimphu | 13 Dec | — |
| 40 | Trongsa Tshechu | Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa | 17 Dec | 21 Dec |
| 41 | Lhuentse Tshechu | Lhuentse Dzong, Lhuentse | 17 Dec | 21 Dec |
| 42 | Samdrupjongkhar Tshechu | Samdrupjongkhar | 22 Dec | 24 Dec |
| 43 | Nabji Lhakhang Drup | Nabji Lhakhang, Nabji, Trongsa | 24 Dec | 26 Dec |
Plan Your Bhutan Festival Journey
Experience Bhutan during one of its traditional festivals and discover the country's living culture, religious traditions and local communities. Dhamma Tours can help you plan a festival-focused itinerary around the dates and location that interest you.
Contact Dhamma Tours to plan your customized Bhutan festival tour.