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Bhutan Festival Calendar
Bhutan or the land of Thunder Dragon richly and happily celebrates its ancient Buddhist culture through colorful mask dances. Most of the festivals are held in honor of Guru Rinpoche, which falls on the 10th day of the Lunar Bhutan Festival Calendar. Your visit to Bhutan is incomplete if you cannot participate in one of the Bhutan Festivals. So check out the Bhutan Festival dates for 2025 and 2026 so you can add at least one of the festivals in your Bhutan Tour Itinerary.
Bhutan Festival or Tshechu, the festival of mask dances, is one of the most vibrant legacies of Bhutan’s intangible cultural gems that dates back to as far as the 8th century. An Indian saint, Guru Padmasambhava or Lotus-born, who is credited with having brought the Tantric form of Buddhism to the country, is the originator of these colorful mask dances.
The mask dance festivals are available throughout the year. So you can always check the Bhutan Festival Calendar below and try to add one to your Bhutan Tour Package.
These festivals celebrate the end of the harvest season—barns are full, skies are sunny—or herald the arrival of spring. Mask dance festivals are celebrated annually in all 20 districts of Bhutan, lasting 3 to 5 days, and often conclude with the unfurling of the Thongdrel, a giant Buddhist appliqué that is displayed only once a year and is believed to bring joy and fulfillment.
Things To Do During Bhutan Festivals
Bhutanese festivals are a big attraction for solo travelers as well as for families. During festivals, Bhutanese people wear their finest traditional clothes. You too can try the Bhutanese dress (Gho and Kira) and join the locals. You can also pack picnic lunches and stay the whole day at the festivals.
Detail View of Bhutan Festival Calendar 2025 and 2026
Below is a detailed view of the Bhutan Festival Calendar for the years 2025 and 2026. Try to include one of the festivals in your itinerary to enjoy Bhutan’s cultural extravaganza.
| FESTIVAL | PLACE | DATE |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 FESTIVAL DATE | ||
| Nimalung Tshechu | Nimalung Dratshang, Chumi, Bumthang | 3rd - 5th July |
| Kurjey Tshechu | Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 5th July |
| Tour of the Dragon | Bumthang to Thimphu | 6th September |
| Thimphu Drubchen | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu | 28th September |
| Wangdue Tshechu | Wangduephodrang | 30th September-2nd October |
| Tamshing Phala Chhoepa | Tamshing Lhakhang, Bumthang | 2nd-4th October (Thongdrel on last day) |
| Thimphu Tshechu | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu | 2th - 4th October |
| Gangtey Tshechu | Gangtey Gonpa, Wangduephodrang | 5th-7th October |
| Thangbi Mewang | Tangbi Lhakhang,Choeko, Bumthang | 7th-8th October |
| Jhomolhari Mountain Festival | Dangochong, Thimphu | 14th-15th October |
| Chhukha Tshechu | Chhukha Dzong, Chhukha | 29th Oct 13st Oct (Thongdrel on last day) |
| Jakar Tshechu | Jakar Dzong, Choekhor, Bumthang | 29th-1st November |
| Pemagatshel Tshechu | Pemagatshel Dzong, Pemagatshel | 29th October-1st November |
| Dechenphu Tshechu | Dechenphu Lhakhang, Thimphu | 31st October |
| Jambay Lhakhang Drup | Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 5th - 8th November |
| Prakhar Duchhoed | Prakar Khakhang, Chumni, Bumthang | 6th-8th November |
| Black Necked Crane Festival | Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang | 11th November |
| Mongar Tshechu | Mongar Dzong, Mongar | 28th - 30th November |
| Trashigang Tshechu | Trashigang Dzong, Trashigang | 29th Nov-1st December |
| Phuntsholing Tshechu | (Phuntsholing,Chhuka) | 28th-30th November |
| Nalakhar Tshechu | Ngaa Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 4th - 6th December |
| Druk Wangyel Tshechu | Douchula, Thimphu | 13th December |
| Trongsa Tshechu | Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa | 27th - 31st December (Thongdrel on last day) |
| Lhuentse Tshechu | Lhuentse Dzong, Lhuentse | 27th - 31st December (Thongdrel on last day) |
| Nabji Lhakhang Drup | Nabji Lhakhang, Nabji, Trongsa | 3rd - 5th Jan 2026 |
| Samdrupjongkhar Tshechu | Samdrupjongkhar | 1st - 3rd Jan 2026 |
| 2026 FESTIVAL DATE | ||
| Punakha Dromchon | Punakha Dzong, Punakha | 24th - 26th February |
| Punakha Tshechu | Punakha Dzong, Punakha | 27th February - 1st March |
| Tharpaling Thongdrol | Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chumi, Bumthang | 3rd March |
| Gomphukora | Gom Kora Lhakhang, Trashigang | 26th - 28th March |
| Talo Tshechu | Talo Gonpa, Punakha | 26th - 28th March |
| Gasa Tshechu | Gasa Dzong, Gasa | 26th - 28th March |
| Zhemgang Tshechu | Zhemgang Dzong, Zhemgang | 26th - 28th March |
| Paro Tshechu | Rinpung Dzong, Paro | 29th March - 2nd April (Thongdrel on last day) |
| Chhorten Kora | Chorten Kora, Trashiyangtshe | 3rd & 19th March |
| Rhododendron Festival | Lamperi Botanical Park, Thimphu | 13th - 14th April |
| Domkhar Tshechu | Domkhar, Chumi, Bumthang | 26th - 28th April |
| Ura Yakchoe | Ura Lhakhang, Bumthang | 28th April - 2nd May |
| Nimalung Tshechu | Nimalung Dratshang, Chumi, Bumthang | 22nd - 24th June |
| Kurjey Tshechu | Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 24th June |
| Tour of the Dragon(Mountain Bike Race) | Bumthang to Thimphu | 5th September |
| Thimphu Drubchen | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu | 17th September |
| Haa Tshechu | Lhakhang Karpo,Haa | 19th-21st September |
| Wangdue Tshechu | Wangduephodrang | 19th - 21st September |
| Tamshing Phala Chhoepa | Tamshing Lhakhang, Bumthang | 21st - 23rd September |
| Thimphu Tshechu | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu | 21st - 23rd September |
| Gangtey Tshechu | Gangtey Gonpa, Wangduephodrang | 24th - 26th September (Thongdrel on last day) |
| Thangbi Mani | Tangbi Lhakhang, Choekor, Bumthang | 26th - 27th September |
| Pemagatshel Tshechu | Pemagatshel Dzong,Pemagatshel | 18th-21st October (Thongdral on the Last days) |
| Jhomolhari Mountain Festival | Dangochong, Thimphu | 14th - 15th October |
| Chhukha Tshechu | Chhukha Dzong, Chhukha | 19th - 21st October |
| Jakar Tshechu | Jakar Dzong, Choekhor, Bumthang | 18th - 21st October |
| Jambay Lhakhang Drup | Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 26th - 29th October |
| Traakhar Duchhoed | Traakar Khakhang, Chumni, Bumthang | 27th - 29th October |
| Dechenphu Tshechu | Dechenphu Lhakhang, Thimphu | 21st October |
| Black Necked Crane Festival | Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang | 11th November |
| Goenpai Drupchen | Trongsa Dzong,Trongsa | 14th-16th November |
| Mongar Tshechu | Mongar Dzong, Mongar | 17th - 19th November |
| Trashigang Tshechu | Trashigang Dzong, Trashigang | 18th - 20th November |
| Phuntsholing Tshechu | Phuntsholing,Chhukha | 17th-19th November |
| Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham | Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 24th November |
| Nalakhar Tshechu | Ngaa Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 24th - 26th November |
| Druk Wangyel Tshechu | Douchula, Thimphu | 13th December |
| Trongsa Tshechu | Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa | 17th - 21st December (Thongdrel on last day) |
| Lhuentse Tshechu | Lhuentse Dzong, Lhuentse | 17th - 21st December (Thongdrel on last day) |
| Nabji Lhakhang Drup | Nabji Lhakhang, Nabji, Trongsa | 24th - 26th December |
| Samdrupjongkhar Tshechu | Samdrupjongkhar | 22nd - 24th December |
