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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2022 Festival Dates for Bhutan

Festival Name Place From Till
Punakha Drubchen & Tsechu Punakha Dzong Mar 09, 2022 Mar 14, 2022
Tharpaling Thongdrol Bumthang Mar 18, 2022
Zhemgang Tshechu Zhengang Apr 09, 2022 Apr 11, 2022
Talo Tsechu Talo Apr 09, 2022 Apr 11, 2022
Gomkora Tsechu Tashigang Apr 09, 2022 Apr 11, 2022
Gasa Tsechu Gasa Dzong Apr 09, 2022 Apr 11, 2022
Dzongdrakha Festival (1 - first day) Paro Apr 11, 2022 Apr 17, 2022
Paro Tsechu Paro Apr 12, 2022 Apr 16, 2022
Rhododendron Festival Lampari Botanical Garden Apr 15, 2022 Apr 17, 2022
Chorten Kora 1 Tashiyangtse Apr 30, 2022
Domkhar Tsechu Chumey, Bumthang May 11, 2022 May 13, 2022
Ura Yakchoe Ura Bumthang May 13, 2022 May 17, 2022
Nimalung Tsechu Nimalung Jul 07, 2022 Jul 09, 2022
Alpine Summer Festival Haa Jul 09, 2022 Jul 10, 2022
Kurjey Tsechu Bumthang Jul 09, 2022
Thimphu Drubchen Thimphu Oct 01, 2022 Oct 03, 2022
Wangdue Tshechu Wangdiphodrang Oct 03, 2022 Oct 05, 2022
Tamshingphala Choedpa Bumthang Oct 05, 2022 Oct 07, 2022
Thimphu Tsechu Thimphu Oct 05, 2022 Oct 07, 2022
Gangtey Tsechu Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha Oct 07, 2022 Oct 09, 2022
Thangbi Mani Festival Bumthang Oct 08, 2022 Oct 10, 2022
Jomulhari Mountain Festival Jomulhari Base Camp Oct 14, 2022 Oct 15, 2022
Jakar Tsechu Bumthang Nov 01, 2022 Nov 03, 2022
Chukha Tsechu Chukha Dzong Nov 01, 2022 Nov 03, 2022
Dechenphu Tshechu(Festival) Dechenphu Lhakhang Thimphu Nov 03, 2022
Jambay Lhakhang Drup Bumthang Nov 08, 2022 Nov 12, 2022
Prakar Duechoed Chumey Valley, Bumthang Nov 09, 2022 Nov 11, 2022
Black Neck Crane Festival Gangtey Monastery, Phobjikha Nov 11, 2022
Pema Gatshel Tsechu Pema Gatshel Dec 01, 2022 Dec 03, 2022
Trashigang Tsechu Trashigang Dec 01, 2022 Dec 03, 2022
Mongar Tsechu Mongar Dec 01, 2022 Dec 03, 2022
Nalakhar Tsechu Bumthang Dec 08, 2022 Dec 10, 2022
Druk Wangyel Festival Dochula Pass Dec 13, 2022
Trongsa Tshechu Trongsa Dec 30, 2022 Jan 01, 2023