Black Necked Crane Festival

As the black-necked crane migrates to Bhutan for the winter, locals celebrate this rare bird with a gentle – but fun-filled – festival. Visitors from all over Bhutan gather at the Gangtey Monastery as children perform festive dances, dressed in crane costumes. The festival is held each year on 11 Nov, coinciding with birthday of the 4th King Jigme Singye Wangchuk.

The Black necked Crane Festival is organized by the Gangteng-Phobji Environment Management Committee (GPEMC) in Bhutan. Held during winter when Black-necked Cranes become part of local life, the festival celebrates their arrival and raises awareness about their conservation. The event includes cultural performances, mask dances, and a crane dance choreographed by local school children. Initiated by the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) in 1998, the festival highlights Bhutanese traditions while promoting the protection of these revered birds.