Bhutan Festival dates
Bhutan Festival Dates & Cultural Celebrations
Plan your journey around Bhutan’s most vibrant cultural events with Wind Horse Tours’ guide to Bhutan festival dates. Bhutan’s festivals follow the traditional lunar calendar and offer travelers a rare chance to experience living Buddhist traditions, sacred rituals, and colorful performances in their authentic setting.
Bhutan Festivals (Tshechus)
Bhutan’s festivals, known as Tshechus, are important religious and social events held annually in monasteries and dzongs across the country. They honor Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century.
- Tshechus are characterized by:
- Sacred masked cham dances
- Religious ceremonies and blessings
- Traditional music, costumes, and rituals
Major festivals such as Paro Tshechu, Thimphu Tshechu, Punakha Drubchen, and Jambay Lhakhang Drup attract large gatherings, while regional festivals like Nalakhar Tsechu, Nabji Drup, Trashigang, Lhuntse and Mongar Tsechus are more remote, intimate and offer more intimate experience.
Bhutan Festival Calendar
Our Bhutan festival calendar lists festival dates and locations to help you plan your trip with confidence. By clicking on each festival, you can access detailed information including daily programs, photos, videos, and highlights—making it easy to build your itinerary around the festivals that interest you most.
Cultural & National Celebrations
Tshechus also serve as major social gatherings, bringing together communities from remote villages and hosting lively markets. In addition to Tshechus, Bhutan celebrates important national events each year, including:
- National Day – December 17
- Birthday of the 4th King – November 11
- Birthdays of the 5th King – February 21 and 22
Important Note: Festival dates are based on the Bhutanese lunar calendar and may be subject to change.
2023 Festival Dates for Bhutan
| Festival Name | Place | From | Till |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punakha Festival | Punakha Dzong | Feb 26, 2023 | Mar 03, 2023 |
| Tharpaling Thongdrol Festival | Bumthang | Mar 07, 2023 | |
| Zhemgang Tshechu | Zhengang | Mar 29, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 |
| Gasa Tsechu | Gasa Dzong | Mar 29, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 |
| Talo Tsechu Festival | Talo, Punakha | Mar 29, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 |
| Gomphu Kora Festival | Tashigang | Mar 29, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 |
| Dzongdrakha Festival (1 - first day) | Paro | Mar 31, 2023 | |
| Paro Tshechu Festival | Paro | Apr 01, 2023 | Apr 05, 2023 |
| Chorten Kora Festival | 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 Monastery, Chumey, Bumthang | 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 Tshechu | Thimphu | Sep 24, 2023 | Sep 26, 2023 |
| Thangbi Mani Festival | Bumthang | Sep 24, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 |
| Tamshing phala Choepa festival | Bumthang | Sep 24, 2023 | Sep 26, 2023 |
| Gangtey Tshechu | Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha | Sep 27, 2023 | Sep 29, 2023 |
| Jomolhari Mountain Festival | Dagochong (near Chomolhari Base) | Oct 14, 2023 | Oct 15, 2023 |
| Jakar Tsechu | Jakar, Bumthang | Oct 22, 2023 | Oct 24, 2023 |
| Ugyen Choling Kangsoel | Tang, Bumthang | Oct 22, 2023 | Oct 24, 2023 |
| Chhukha Tsechu | Chukha Dzong | Oct 22, 2023 | Oct 24, 2023 |
| Dechenphu Tshechu | Dechenphu Lhakhang Thimphu | Oct 24, 2023 | |
| Jambay Lhakhang Drup | Bumthang | Oct 28, 2023 | Nov 01, 2023 |
| Prakar Duchhoed | Chumey Valley, Bumthang | Oct 29, 2023 | Oct 31, 2023 |
| Black Necked Crane Festival | Gangtey Monastery, Phobjikha | Nov 11, 2023 | |
| Mongar Tsechu Festival | Mongar | Nov 19, 2023 | Nov 22, 2023 |
| Pemagatshel Tsechu | Pemagatshel | Nov 20, 2023 | Nov 23, 2023 |
| Trashigang Tsechu Festival | Trashigang | Nov 20, 2023 | Nov 23, 2023 |
| Nalakhar Tsechu | Bumthang | Nov 27, 2023 | Nov 29, 2023 |
| Druk Wangyel Festival | Dochula Pass | Dec 13, 2023 | |
| National Day of Bhutan | Dec 17, 2023 | Dec 17, 2023 | |
| Lhuentse Tsechu | Lhuentse | Dec 20, 2023 | Dec 22, 2023 |
| Trongsa Tsechu | Trongsa | Dec 20, 2023 | Dec 22, 2023 |
| Nabji Lhakhang Drup Festival | Nabji, Trongsa | Dec 26, 2023 | Dec 27, 2023 |

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