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Mask dances and colorful rituals

The festivals of Bhutan


Festival calendar

There is always a reason to celebrate

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 NameFestival LocationFestival Date
Lhamoi DromcheTrongsaFeb 15-17
Punakha DrupchenPunakhaFeb 16-18
Punakha TshechuPunakhaFeb 19-21
Tharpaling ThongdrolChumi,Bumthang24. February 2024
Tangsibi ManiUra,BumthangFeb 24-26
Bhutan International MarathonAnnual Event OrganisedMar 5
GomphukoraTrashigangMar 17-19
Talo TshechuTalo,PunakhaMar 17-19
Gasa TshechuGasaMar 17-19
Zhemgang TshechuZhemgangMar 17-19
Paro TshechuParoMar 21-25
Chhorten KoraTrashiyangtseMar 25 & April 8
Rhododendron festivalLampelri Botanical Garden,DochulaApril 19-21
Domkhar TshechuChumi,BumthangApril 18-20
Ura YakchoeUra,BumthangApril 20-24
Nimalung TshechuChumi,BumthangJune 14-16
Kurjey TshechuChoekor,BumthangJune 16
Haa Summer FestivalHaaJuly 14-15
Mushroom festivalGenekha, ThimphuAug 15-16
Masutaki Mushroom festivalUra,BumthangAug 23-24
Tour of the Dragon-Bicycle RaceBumthang-Thimphu5. September 2024
Thimphu DrupchenThimphuSep 8
Paro DromcheParoSep 10
Wangdue TshechuWangduephodrangSep 11-13
Thimphu TshechuThimphuSep 12-14
Tamshing Phala ChoepaTamshing,BumthangSep 13-15
Gangtey TshechuGangtey, Phobjikha ValleySep 16-18
Thangbi ManiChoekor,BumthangSep 17-19
Jhomolhari Mountain FestivalDangochang (Jhomolhari Base Camp)Oct 14-15
Royal Highland festivalOct 23-24
Chukha TshechuChukhaOct 10-12
Jakar TshechuChoekor,BumthangOct 10-12
Jambhay Lhakhang DrupChoekor,BumthangOct 17-21
Prakhar DuchhoedChumi,BumthangOct 18-20
Dechenphu TshechuThimphu3. November 2024
Black Neckedl Crane festivalPhobjikha Valley11. November 2024
Goenpi DromcheTrongsaNov 6-8
Mongar TshechuMongarNov 9-11
Trashigang TshechuTrashigangNov 9-11
Jambhay Lhakhang Singye ChamBumthang15. November 2024
Pemagatshel TshechuPema GatshelNov 9-11
Nalakhar TshechuBumthangNov 15-17
Druk Wangyel TshechuDochulaDec 13
Trongsa TshechuTrongsaDec 8-10
Lhuentse TshechuLhuentseDec 8-10