Festival and Events in Bhutan

Festivals in Bhutan are rich and happy expressions of its ancient Buddhist culture. These festivals are held in all districts of Bhutan in honour of Guru Rinpoche, the saint who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century. Tsechus are held on auspicious days and months in the Bhutanese calendar, and last up to four days in which a series of highly stylised masked dance rituals are performed.

Behind the scenes, the monks prepare themselves for weeks ahead of the festival, involved in deep prayer and meditation prior to the festival. The monks perform special masked dances that are inspirations of enlightened beings in history; and the Bhutanese believe that watching these mystical dances is essential to gain enlightenment.

All Bhutanese try to attend a festival at least once in a lifetime, and for many, it is an important annual affair where they consider it a blessing to be able to watch the dances. Apart from the monks, community dancers also participate in the local festivals.

The tsechus are a rich form of the oral history tradition where the Bhutanese pass on values, mythology and spiritual beliefs through the dance dramas. Many of the tsechus culminate with a rare display of a giant silk applique thangkha (painting) depicting Guru Padmasambava or some other important Buddhist deity.

People’s deep faith and devotion make these festivals a special occasion. At the same time, it is also an opportunity to join hundreds, and even thousands, of Bhutanese in taking part in an important religious and social occasion that often exudes a carnival atmosphere.

Bhutan Festival dates 2021

SL/NO FESTIVALS PLACES DATES
1Punakha DrubchenPunakha Dzong, Punakha19th – 21st February
2Punakha TshechuPunakha Dzong, Punakha22nd -24th February
3Tharpaling ThongdrolTharpaling Lhakhang, Chumi, Bumthang27th February
4Zhuri DuechoeZhuri Lhakhang, Chumig
Bumthang
9th -10th March
5Gadhen ChoedpaUra Lhakhang, Ura Bumthang12th -13th March
6Kharchu DrubchenKharchu Lhakhang,
Thromdey Bumthang
13th March
7GomphukoraTrashigang21st -23rd March
8Talo TshechuTalo Gonpa, Punakha21st -23rd March
9Gasa TshechuGasa Dzong, Gasa21st -23rd March
10Zhemgang TshechuZhemgang Dzong, Zhemgang21st -23rd March
11aro TshechuRinpung Dzong, Paro24th -28th March
(Thongdrel on last day)
12Chhorten KoraChorten Kora,
Trashiyangtshe
27th February & 13th
March
13Rhododendron FestivalLamperi Botanical Garden,
Dochula, Thimphu
16th – 18th April
14Domkhar TshechuDomkhar, Chumig,
Bumthang.
22nd -24th April
15Ura YakchoeUra Lhakhang, Bumthang24th – 28th April
16Pedtsheling KuchoePedtsheling
Lhakhang,Chokhor Bumthang
30th May-1st June
17Nimalung TendraNimalung Dratshang,
Chumig, Bumthang
18th – 20th June
18Kurjey TshechuKurjey Lhakhang,
Choekhor, Bumthang
20th June
19Haa Summer FestivalHaa10th & 11th July
20Mushroom FestivalGenekha, Thimphu.15th & 16th August
21Masutaki Mushroom FestivalUra, Bumthang23rd & 24th August
22Tour of the Dragon (Bicycle
Race)
Bumthang to Thimphu7th September
23Thimphu DrubchenTashi Chhodzong, Thimphu12th September
24Wangdue TshechuTencholing Army Ground,
Wangduephodrang.
14th – 16th September
25Tamshing Phala ChhoepaTamshing lhakhang, Chokhor,
Bumthang
16th – 18th September
26Thimphu TshechuTashi Chhodzong, Thimphu16th – 18th September
27Gangtey TshechuGangtey Gonpa,
Phobjikha,Wangduephodrang.
18th – 20th September
(Thongdrel on last day)
28Thangbi MewangTangbi Lhakhang, Chokhor,
Bumthang
19th – 21st September
29Jhomolhari Mountain FestivalDangochong, Thimphu14th & 15th October
30Chhukha TshechuChhukha Dzong, Chhukha13th – 15th October
31Jakar TshechuJakar Dzong, Thromdey,
Bumthang.
12th – 16th October
32Ugyencholing KangsoelUgyencholing Lhakhang,
Tang, Bumthang
13th – 15th October
33Dechenphu TshechuDechenphu Lhakhang,
Thimphu
15th October
34Takar DuechoeChumig, Bumthang20th -23rd October
35Jambay Lhakhang DrupJambay Lhakhang,
Chokhor, Bumthang
21st -23th October
36Prakhar DuchhoedPrakar Lhakhang, Chumni,
Bumthang
21st –23rd October
37Royal Highland FestivalLaya, Gasa23th – 24th October
38Sumthrang KangsoelUra, Bumthang2nd – 3rd November
39Black Necked Crane FestivalGangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha,
Wangduephodrang.
11th November
40Mongar TshechuMongar Dzong, Mongar12th – 14th November
41Trashigang TshechuTrashigang Dzong,
Trashigang.
12th – 14th November
42Pemagatshel TshechuPemagatshel Dzong,
Pemagatshel.
12th – 14th November
(Thongdral on last day)
43Tang Namkhar RabneyTang, Bumthang14th -17th November
44Chojang RabneyTang, Bumthang18th -22nd November