Every tshechu, drubchen and village festival in Bhutan, month by month – with the great ones marked.
Bhutan’s festivals follow the lunar calendar, so their dates move from year to year. Most are held in dzong and temple courtyards over three to five days, with masked dances that are blessings for everyone who watches.
Choose a festival and we’ll design a journey around it – arriving in time for the opening dances, staying for the thongdrel at dawn, and filling the days between with the valleys nearby.
22–24 February · Trongsa Dzong
24–26 February · Punakha Dzong
The re-enactment of a 17th-century battle by the pazap militia.
27 Feb – 1 Mar · Punakha Dzong
Masked dances in one of Bhutan's most beautiful dzongs.
3 March · Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chumey, Bumthang
A giant thangka unrolled at dawn.
3 March · Chorten Kora, Trashiyangtse
Also held on 19 March.
4–6 March · Tangsibi Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang
26–28 March · Gom Kora Lhakhang, Trashiyangtse
26–28 March · Talo Gonpa, Punakha
A hilltop village festival above the Punakha valley.
26–28 March · Gasa Dzong
26–28 March · Zhemgang Dzong
29 Mar – 2 Apr · Rinpung Dzong, Paro
One of the largest festivals; the thongdrel is shown on the last morning.
13–14 April · Lamperi Botanical Park, Thimphu
26–28 April · Domkhar, Chumey, Bumthang
28 Apr – 2 May · Ura Lhakhang, Bumthang
A village festival in the high Ura valley.
22–24 June · Nimalung Dratshang, Chumey, Bumthang
24 June · Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang
5 September · Bumthang to Thimphu
A one-day mountain-bike race across the country.
17 September · Tashichho Dzong, Thimphu
19–21 September · Lhakhang Karpo, Haa
19–21 September · Wangdue Phodrang
Known for the Raksha Mangcham, the dance of the ox.
21–23 September · Tamshing Lhakhang, Bumthang
21–23 September · Tashichho Dzong, Thimphu
The capital's festival, in the courtyard of Tashichho Dzong.
24–26 September · Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, Wangdue
The thongdrel is shown on the last day.
26–27 September · Thangbi Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang
14–15 October · Dangochong, Thimphu
A highland festival celebrating the snow leopard and herding life.
18–21 October · Jakar Dzong, Choekhor, Bumthang
The great festival of Bumthang.
18–21 October · Pemagatshel Dzong
The thongdrel is shown on the last day.
19–21 October · Chhukha Dzong
21 October · Dechenphu Lhakhang, Thimphu
26–29 October · Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang
Known for its midnight fire blessing.
27–29 October · Traakar Lhakhang, Chumey, Bumthang
11 November · Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, Wangdue
Celebrating the cranes' return to the Phobjikha valley.
14–16 November · Trongsa Dzong
17–19 November · Mongar Dzong
17–19 November · Phuentsholing, Chhukha
18–20 November · Trashigang Dzong
24 November · Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang
24–26 November · Ngaa Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang
13 December · Dochula, Thimphu
Danced on the Dochula pass, with the Himalaya behind on a clear day.
17–21 December · Trongsa Dzong
The thongdrel is shown on the last day.
17–21 December · Lhuentse Dzong
The thongdrel is shown on the last day.
22–24 December · Samdrup Jongkhar
24–26 December · Nabji Lhakhang, Nabji, Trongsa
No festivals match these choices.
Dates: Department of Tourism, Bhutan. Festivals follow the lunar calendar and dates can change; we confirm them for your journey before you book.
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