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Bhutan Festival dates

Bhutan Festival dates listed is provided by Bhutan Tourism Council and Tour Operators Association of Bhutan. As some of the festivals are small village events, the dates may be tentative and change without notice. If you click on the name of particular Bhutan festival, you will find more details such daily program, photos, videos and more.

Tsechu means day 10 of the month (lunar month). Day 10 of month or tsechu hold special significance in the life of Guru Rinphoche, as most significant event takes place on that day, including his birth and hence most of the festivals takes place around the 10th day of the traditional calendar based on lunar month.

Guru Rinpoche or Padmasambhava, visited Tibet and Bhutan in the 8th century and spread Buddhism. He also converted opponents of Buddhism by performing rites, reciting mantras and finally performing a dance of subjugation to conquer local spirits and gods. He visited Bhutan to aid the dying local Bumthang king Sindhu Raja. Padmasambhava performed a series of such dances in the Bumthang Valley to restore the health of the king. The grateful king helped spread Buddhism in Bhutan. Padmasambhava organized the first tshechu in Bumthang, where the eight manifestations of Padmasambhava were presented through eight forms of dances. These became the Cham dances depicting the glory of Padmasambhava. The later patrons and saints such as Pema Lingpa developed several dances. In addition to mask dances, folk dancing and singing are performed. Some festivals also reenact historical events through dances and dramas.

Tsechus in Bhutan are religious as well as social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. Large markets also congregate at the fair locations, leading to brisk commerce. The Thimphu tshechu, Paro tshechu and Jambay Lhakhang Drup are among the biggest of the tsechus in terms of participation and audience. Other events such as the National Day on 17 December, Birthday of 4th King on 11 November and  Birthday of 5th King on Feb 21 &22 are celebrated pompously throughout the country every year.

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2023 Festival Dates for Bhutan

Festival Name Place From Till
Zhemgang Tshechu Zhengang Mar 29, 2023 Mar 31, 2023
Gasa Tsechu Gasa Dzong Mar 29, 2023 Mar 31, 2023
Talo Tsechu Talo Mar 29, 2023 Mar 31, 2023
Gomkora Tsechu Tashigang Mar 29, 2023 Mar 31, 2023
Dzongdrakha Festival (1 - first day) Paro Mar 31, 2023
Paro Tsechu Paro Apr 01, 2023 Apr 05, 2023
Chorten Kora 1 Tashiyangtse Apr 05, 2023
Dzongdrakha Festival 2 (Last day) Paro Apr 06, 2023
Rhododendron Festival Lampari Botanical Garden Apr 14, 2023 Apr 16, 2023
Chorten Kora 2 Tashiyangtse Apr 28, 2023
Domkhar Tsechu Chumey, Bumthang Apr 30, 2023 May 02, 2023
Ura Yakchoe Ura Bumthang May 02, 2023 May 06, 2023
Nimalung Tsechu Nimalung Jun 26, 2023 Jun 28, 2023
Kurjey Tsechu Bumthang Jun 28, 2023
Alpine Summer Festival Haa Jul 08, 2023 Jul 09, 2023
Thimphu Drubchen Thimphu Sep 21, 2023 Sep 23, 2023
Wangdue Tshechu Wangdiphodrang Sep 22, 2023 Sep 24, 2023
Thimphu Tsechu Thimphu Sep 24, 2023 Sep 26, 2023
Thangbi Mani Festival Bumthang Sep 24, 2023 Sep 30, 2023
Tamshingphala Choedpa Bumthang Sep 24, 2023 Sep 26, 2023
Gangtey Tsechu Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha Sep 27, 2023 Sep 29, 2023
Jomulhari Mountain Festival Jomulhari Base Camp Oct 14, 2023 Oct 15, 2023
Chukha Tsechu Chukha Dzong Oct 22, 2023 Oct 24, 2023
Jakar Tsechu Bumthang Oct 22, 2023 Oct 24, 2023
Dechenphu Tshechu(Festival) Dechenphu Lhakhang Thimphu Oct 24, 2023
Jambay Lhakhang Drup Bumthang Oct 28, 2023 Nov 01, 2023
Prakar Duechoed Chumey Valley, Bumthang Oct 29, 2023 Oct 31, 2023
Black Neck Crane Festival Gangtey Monastery, Phobjikha Nov 11, 2023
Mongar Tsechu Mongar Nov 19, 2023 Nov 22, 2023
Trashigang Tsechu Trashigang Nov 20, 2023 Nov 23, 2023
Pema Gatshel Tsechu Pema Gatshel Nov 20, 2023 Nov 23, 2023
Nalakhar Tsechu Bumthang Nov 27, 2023 Nov 29, 2023
Druk Wangyel Festival Dochula Pass Dec 13, 2023
Lhuentse Tsechu Lhuentse Dec 20, 2023 Dec 22, 2023
Trongsa Tshechu Trongsa Dec 20, 2023 Dec 22, 2023
Nabji Lhakhang Drup Trongsa Dec 26, 2023 Dec 27, 2023