Festivals
Festivals in Bhutan are vibrant celebrations of culture, spirituality, and community, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience the country’s living traditions. Known locally as Tshechus, these annual religious festivals are held across monasteries, dzongs, and temples in honor of Guru Rinpoche, who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan. The celebrations feature sacred mask dances, traditional music, colorful costumes, and spiritual rituals performed by monks and local communities, symbolizing blessings, protection, and the triumph of good over evil.
Among the most celebrated festivals are the Paro Tshechu, Thimphu Tshechu, Punakha Drubchen, and Jambay Lhakhang Drup, each showcasing Bhutan’s rich heritage and unique regional traditions. Beyond their religious importance, these festivals also serve as joyful social gatherings where families and communities come together, making them one of the most memorable cultural experiences for travelers visiting Bhutan.
Festival Dates for year 2026
Si No. | Festival Name | Place | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Lhamoi Dromchhen | Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa | 22nd Feb | 24th Feb |
2 | Punakha Dromchoe | Punakha Dzong, Punakha | 24th Feb | 26th Feb |
3 | Punakha Tshechu | Punakha Dzong, Punakha | 27th Feb | 1st March |
4 | Tharpaling Thongdrol | Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chumi, Bumthang | 3rd March | |
5 | Tangsibi Mani | Tangsibi Lhakhang, Ura Bumthang | 4th March | 6th March |
6 | Chhorten Kora | Chorten Kora, Trashiyangtshe | 3rd March & 19th March | |
7 | Gomphukora | Gom Kora Lhakhang, Trashiyangtshe | 26th March | 28th March |
8 | Talo Tshechu | Talo Gonpa, Punakha | 26th March | 28th March |
9 | Gasa Tshechu | Gasa Dzong, Gasa | 26th March | 28th March |
10 | Zhemgang Tshechu | Zhemgang Dzong, Zhemgang | 26th March | 28th March |
11 | Paro Tshechu | Rinpung Dzong, Paro | 29th March | 2nd April |
12 | Rhododendron Festival | Lamperi Botanical Park, Thimphu | 13th April | 14th April |
13 | Domkhar Tshechu | Domkhar, Chumi, Bumthang. | 26th April | 28th April |
14 | Ura Yakchoe | Ura Lhakhang, Bumthang | 28th April | 2nd May |
15 | Nimalung Tshechu | Nimalung Dratshang, Chumi, Bumthang | 22nd June | 24th June |
16 | Kurjey Tshechu | Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 24th June | |
17 | Tour of the Dragon (Mountain Bike Race) | Bumthang to Thimphu | 5th Sep | |
18 | Thimphu Drubchen | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu | 17th Sep | |
19 | Wangdue Tshechu | Wangduephodrang | 19th Sep | 21st Sep |
20 | Tamshing Phala Chhoepa | Tamshing lhakhang, Bumthang | 21st Sep | 23rd Sep |
21 | Thimphu Tshechu | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu | 21st Sep | 23rd Sep |
22 | Gangtey Tshechu | Gangtey Gonpa, Wangduephodrang | 24th Sep | 26th Sep |
23 | Thangbi Mewang | Thangbi Lhakhang, Choekor, Bumthang | 26th Sep | 27th Sep |
24 | Pemagatshel Tshechu | Pemagatshel Dzong, Pemagatshel. | 18th Oct | 21st Oct |
25 | Jhomolhari Mountain Festival | Dangochong, Thimphu | 14th Oct | 15th Oct |
26 | Chhukha Tshechu | Chhukha Dzong, Chhukha | 19th Oct | 21st Oct |
27 | Dechenphu Tshechu | Dechenphu Lhakhang, Thimphu | 21st Oct | |
28 | Jakar Tshechu | Jakar Dzong, Choekhor, Bumthang. | 18th Oct | 21st Oct |
29 | Jambay Lhakhang Drup | Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 26th Oct | 29th Oct |
30 | Prakhar Duchhoed | Prakar Khakhang, Chumni, Bumthang | 27th Oct | 29th Oct |
31 | Haa Tshechu | Lhakhang Karpo, Haa | 19th Oct | 21 st Oct |
32 | Black Necked Crane Festival | Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang. | 11th Nov | |
33 | Goenpai Drupchen | Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa | 14th Nov | 16th Nov |
34 | Mongar Tshechu | Mongar Dzong, Mongar | 17th Nov | 19th Nov |
35 | Trashigang Tshechu | Trashigang Dzong, Trashigang. | 18th Nov | 20th Nov |
36 | Phuntsholing Tshechu | Phuntsholing, Chhukha | 17th Nov | 19th Nov |
37 | Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham | Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 24th Nov | |
38 | Nalakhar Tshechu | Ngaa Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 24th Nov | 26th Nov |
39 | Druk Wangyel Tshechu | Douchula , Thimphu | 13th Dec | |
40 | Trongsa Tshechu | Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa | 17th Dec | 21st Dec |
41 | Lhuentse Tshechu | Lhuentse Dzong, Lhuentse | 17th Dec | 21st Dec |
42 | Samdrupjongkhar Tshechu | Samdrupjongkhar | 22nd Dec | 24th Dec |
43 | Nabji Lhakhang Drup | Nabji Lhakhang, Nabji, Trongsa | 24th Dec | 26th Dec |
Tentative Festival Dates for year 2027
| Si No. | Name | Place | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lhamoi Dromchhen | Trongsa | 11 Feb 2027 | 13 Feb 2027 |
| 2 | Punakha Dromchoe | Punakha | 13 Feb 2027 | 15 Feb 2027 |
| 3 | Punakha Tshechu | Punakha | 16 Feb 2027 | 18 Feb 2027 |
| 4 | Tharpaling Thongdrol | Bumthang | 20 Feb 2027 | |
| 5 | Chhorten Kora | Trashi Yangtse | 20 Feb 2027 | |
| 6 | Tangsibi Mani | Bumthang | 22 Feb 2027 | 24 Feb 2027 |
| 7 | Chhorten Kora | Trashi Yangtse | 08 Mar 2027 | |
| 8 | Gomphukora | Trashi Yangtse | 16 Mar 2027 | 18 Mar 2027 |
| 9 | Talo Tshechu | Punakha | 16 Mar 2027 | 18 Mar 2027 |
| 10 | Gasa Tshechu | Gasa | 16 Mar 2027 | 18 Mar 2027 |
| 11 | Zhemgang Tshechu | Zhemgang | 16 Mar 2027 | 18 Mar 2027 |
| 12 | Paro Tshechu | Paro | 18 Mar 2027 | 22 Mar 2027 |
| 13 | Rhododendron Week | Trashigang | 03 Apr 2027 | 09 Apr 2027 |
| 14 | Domkhar Tshechu | Bumthang | 16 Apr 2027 | 18 Apr 2027 |
| 15 | Ura Yakchoe | Bumthang | 18 Apr 2027 | 22 Apr 2027 |
| 16 | Rhododendron Festival | Thimphu | 22 Apr 2027 | 23 Apr 2027 |
| 17 | Nimalung Tshechu | Bumthang | 12 Jun 2027 | 14 Jun 2027 |
| 18 | Kurjey Tshechu | Bumthang | 14 Jun 2027 | |
| 19 | Tour of the Dragon (Mountain Bike Race) | Bumthang | 05 Sept 2027 | |
| 20 | Thimphu Drubchen | Thimphu | 05 Oct 2027 | |
| 21 | Wangdue Tshechu | Wangdue Phodrang | 08 Oct 2027 | 10 Oct 2027 |
| 22 | Tamshing Phala Chhoepa | Bumthang | 10 Oct 2027 | 12 Oct 2027 |
| 23 | Thimphu Tshechu | Thimphu | 10 Oct 2027 | 12 Oct 2027 |
| 24 | Gangtey Tshechu | Wangdue Phodrang | 13 Oct 2027 | 15 Oct 2027 |
| 25 | Jhomolhari Mountain Festival | Thimphu | 14 Oct 2027 | 15 Oct 2027 |
| 26 | Thangbi Mewang | Bumthang | 15 Oct 2027 | 16 Oct 2027 |
| 27 | Pemagatshel Tshechu | Pemagatshel | 06 Nov 2027 | 09 Nov 2027 |
| 28 | Haa Tshechu | Haa Valley | 06 Nov 2027 | 08 Nov 2027 |
| 29 | Chhukha Tshechu | Chukha | 06 Nov 2027 | 08 Nov 2027 |
| 30 | Jakar Tshechu | Bumthang | 06 Nov 2027 | 09 Nov 2027 |
| 31 | Dechenphu Tshechu | Thimphu | 08 Nov 2027 | |
| 32 | Black Necked Crane Festival | Wangdue Phodrang | 11 Nov 2027 | |
| 33 | Jambay Lhakhang Drup | Bumthang | 14 Nov 2027 | 17 Nov 2027 |
| 34 | Prakhar Duchhoed | Bumthang | 15 Nov 2027 | 17 Nov 2027 |
| 35 | Goenpai Drupchen | Trongsa | 03 Dec 2027 | 05 Dec 2027 |
| 36 | Mongar Tshechu | Mongar | 06 Dec 2027 | 08 Dec 2027 |
| 37 | Phuntsholing Tshechu | Chukha | 06 Dec 2027 | 08 Dec 2027 |
| 38 | Trashigang Tshechu | Trashigang | 07 Dec 2027 | 09 Dec 2027 |
| 39 | Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham | Bumthang | 13 Dec 2027 | |
| 40 | Nalakhar Tshechu | Bumthang | 13 Dec 2027 | 15 Dec 2027 |
| 41 | Druk Wangyel Tshechu | Thimphu | 13 Dec 2027 |
