The festivals of Bhutan
Festival calendar
In Bhutan, Hindu and Buddhist festivals are celebrated, which are traditionally timed according to the lunar cycle and other astrological observations. These “Tsechus” in honour of the great gurus, especially Guru Rinpoche Padmasmbhava, take place throughout the year, usually in the form of multi-day masked dances in the monasteries (dzongs), and their colorful rituals are an enriching experience on any tour of Bhutan. We will be happy to advise you on the specific festivals taking place in your travel time frame!
The great Hindu Dashahra festival (Dussera) is also the highlight of a ten-day festival that is definitely worth a visit. It is very important to us that you choose the right holidays for your tour according to your interests, as the rituals of the festivals sometimes differ significantly from region to region. For those who are particularly interested in culture, it is also important to visit a festival in a monastery that is not too heavily frequented by tourists.
Festival Name | Festival Location | Festival Date |
Lhamoi Dromche | Trongsa | Feb 15-17 |
Punakha Drupchen | Punakha | Feb 16-18 |
Punakha Tshechu | Punakha | Feb 19-21 |
Tharpaling Thongdrol | Chumi,Bumthang | 24. February 2024 |
Tangsibi Mani | Ura,Bumthang | Feb 24-26 |
Bhutan International Marathon | Annual Event Organised | Mar 5 |
Gomphukora | Trashigang | Mar 17-19 |
Talo Tshechu | Talo,Punakha | Mar 17-19 |
Gasa Tshechu | Gasa | Mar 17-19 |
Zhemgang Tshechu | Zhemgang | Mar 17-19 |
Paro Tshechu | Paro | Mar 21-25 |
Chhorten Kora | Trashiyangtse | Mar 25 & April 8 |
Rhododendron festival | Lampelri Botanical Garden,Dochula | April 19-21 |
Domkhar Tshechu | Chumi,Bumthang | April 18-20 |
Ura Yakchoe | Ura,Bumthang | April 20-24 |
Nimalung Tshechu | Chumi,Bumthang | June 14-16 |
Kurjey Tshechu | Choekor,Bumthang | June 16 |
Haa Summer Festival | Haa | July 14-15 |
Mushroom festival | Genekha, Thimphu | Aug 15-16 |
Masutaki Mushroom festival | Ura,Bumthang | Aug 23-24 |
Tour of the Dragon-Bicycle Race | Bumthang-Thimphu | 5. September 2024 |
Thimphu Drupchen | Thimphu | Sep 8 |
Paro Dromche | Paro | Sep 10 |
Wangdue Tshechu | Wangduephodrang | Sep 11-13 |
Thimphu Tshechu | Thimphu | Sep 12-14 |
Tamshing Phala Choepa | Tamshing,Bumthang | Sep 13-15 |
Gangtey Tshechu | Gangtey, Phobjikha Valley | Sep 16-18 |
Thangbi Mani | Choekor,Bumthang | Sep 17-19 |
Jhomolhari Mountain Festival | Dangochang (Jhomolhari Base Camp) | Oct 14-15 |
Royal Highland festival | Oct 23-24 | |
Chukha Tshechu | Chukha | Oct 10-12 |
Jakar Tshechu | Choekor,Bumthang | Oct 10-12 |
Jambhay Lhakhang Drup | Choekor,Bumthang | Oct 17-21 |
Prakhar Duchhoed | Chumi,Bumthang | Oct 18-20 |
Dechenphu Tshechu | Thimphu | 3. November 2024 |
Black Neckedl Crane festival | Phobjikha Valley | 11. November 2024 |
Goenpi Dromche | Trongsa | Nov 6-8 |
Mongar Tshechu | Mongar | Nov 9-11 |
Trashigang Tshechu | Trashigang | Nov 9-11 |
Jambhay Lhakhang Singye Cham | Bumthang | 15. November 2024 |
Pemagatshel Tshechu | Pema Gatshel | Nov 9-11 |
Nalakhar Tshechu | Bumthang | Nov 15-17 |
Druk Wangyel Tshechu | Dochula | Dec 13 |
Trongsa Tshechu | Trongsa | Dec 8-10 |
Lhuentse Tshechu | Lhuentse | Dec 8-10 |