2018

Bhutan Festival Dates

Bhutan is noted for its Tshechus, or festivals, which are held annually on dates which are chosen by the lamas according to the Buddhist lunar calendar. The festivals are held on the tenth day of the lunar month, in honor of Guru Rinpoche, the great Indian tantric saint who brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma from Tibet to Bhutan in the 8th century, because it is on the tenth day that he is said to have performed his great deeds. Each locality has a certain time of year during which the festival is performed. These Tsechus are also large 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. This is a great time to see and inter-mingle with villagers from far and near that congregate – sometimes walking for days and weeks – to participate in the festival. The festivals are generally preceded by a rituals and dances performed by monks or trained laymen in beautiful costumes of brilliantly colored silk and papier mache masks to the accompaniment of traditional instruments. The dances are usually held in the open courtyard of the local Dzong, or monastery/district administrative center, and attended by the local people who come to receive the blessings conferred upon the onlookers. This is a great time to be in the Dragon Kingdom.

 

If our published programs and dates do not match your timings or preference, then look through the tentative Festival Dates here and call us to build a personalized trip based on your desired festival dates.

FESTIVAL PLACE DATES
Tawsang Tshechu Tawsang Goenpa, Lhuentse 16th January
Ngatshang Tshechu   Tashi  Choephel Lhakang, Ngatshang, Mongar 25th -27th January
Tsatse Dzongklingoen Tshechu   Tsatse           Dzong,            Nanong,

Pemagatshel

26th -27th January
Bon-Choe Rup   Kikhar/Dakphel, Nangkhor, Zhemgang 26th January
Churzegang Tshechu   Churzegang Lhakhang, Gelephu, Sarpang 27th January
Bon-Choe Rup   Goling/Zhobling/Nyakhar/Tshaidan g/Kamjong/Duedmang, Zhemgang 29th -31st January
Shali Tshechu   Shumar/Shali, Pemagatshel 29th -31st January
Punakha Drubchen Punakha Dzong, Punakha 21 -24th February
Lhamoi Dromche Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa 20th -22nd February
Phurba Dubchen Doedel Pemacholing Lhakhang,

Ramjar, Trashiyangtse

 

22nd February-2nd

March

Khengzor Tshechu Khengzor Lhakhang,Khar,

Pemagatshel

 

24th -26th February
Lhamoizingkha Tshechu Lhamoizigkhag Dratshang, Dagana 23rd -25th February
Li Chi Bi Tshechu Li Chi Bi, Goshing, Zhemgang 25th February
Punakha Tshechu Punakha Dzong, Punakha 25th -27thFebruary
Nganglam Tshechu Nganglam Lhakhang, Zobel,

Pemagatshel

 

28th February-2 nd

March

Tangsibi Mani Tangsibi Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang 2nd -4 th March
Tharpaling Thongtrel Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chumey, Bumthang 2nd March
Buli Mani Buli Lhakhang, Chumey,Bumthang 2nd – 4th March
Bhutan International Marathon (Annual event organized by Bhutan

Olympic Committee)

5th March
Zhuri Duechoed Zhuri Lhakhang, Chumey, Bumthang 12th March
Gayden Choedpa Gayden Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang 15th -17th March
Chhorten Kora Chorten Kora, Trashiyangtse 31 March & 16 April
Kharphug Lhasel Bjoka/Trong, Zhemgang 20th March
Tsirang Tshechu Tsirang 24th -26th March
Gasa Tsechu Gasa Dzong, Gasa 24th -26th March
Gomkora Tshechu GomphuKora, Trashiyangtse 24th -26th March
Zhemgang Tshechu Zhemgang Dzong 24th -27th March
Daga Trashiyangtshi Tendra Tshechu Daga Dzong, Dagana 26th March
Prayue Choe Buli/Tali, Nangkhor, Zhemgang 26th March
Paro Tshechu Rinpung Dzong, Paro 27th -31st March
Pantang Tshechu Phangkhar, Zhemgang 29th March
Karphu Lhasel Edi Lhakhang, Gelephu, Sarpang 11th – 13th April
Rhododendron

Festival

Lamperi Botanical Garden, Dochula, Thimphu 20th – 22nd April
Dungmed Tshechu Dungmed Lhakhang, Dungmin, Pemagatshel 23rd -25th April
Tashicholing Tshechu Tashicholing Lhakhang, Yurung, Pemagatshel 23rd -25th April
Dungkhar Tshechu Dungkhar Lhakhang, Khar, Pemagatshel 23rd – 26th April
Domkhar Tshechu Domkhar Lhakhang, Chumey, Bumthang 25th -27th April
Ura Yakchoed Ura Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang 26th -29th April
Due Mang ti Tshechu Goshing, Zhemgang 10th May
Zobel Tshechu Zobel Lhakhang, Zobel, Pemagatshel 27th -29th May
Bon-Choe Dangkhar, Trong, Zhemgang 28th May
Coronation Marathon Paro 2nd June
Padseling Kuchoed Padseling Goenpa, Choekhor, Bumthang 2nd -4th June
Der Choed Bjoka/Trong, Zhemgang 20th -23rd June
Dechenling Tshechu Dechenling Lhakhang, Dechenling, pemagatshel 21st -23rd June
Nimalung Tshechu Nimalung Dratshang, Bumthang 21st -23rd June
Trel Da Tshechu Thegchhog Namdrol Ugyen

Chholing Monastry, Dremitse, Mongar

21st -23rd June
Trel Da Tshechu Yagang Lhakhang, Mongar 21st -23rd June
Dungsingma Tshechu Dungsingma, Yurung , Pemagatshel 23rd June
Khamdang Tendra Tshechu Shaksinggoenpa, Khamdang, Trashiyangtse 23rd June
Kurjey Tshechu Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang 23rd June
Teldra Tshechu Doedel Pemacholing Lhakhang, Ramjar, Trashiyangtse 23rd June
Teldra Tshechu Geokar Lhakhang, Yalang, Trashiyangtse 23rd June
Trel Da Tshechu Yak Dued Goenpa, Chaskhar, Mongar 23rd June
Trel Da Tshechu Dungkhar Goenpa, Khengkhar, Mongar 23rd June
Trel Da Tshechu Sang Ngag Choeling Lhakhang, Ngatshang, Mongar 23rd June
Khangma Tshechu Khangma Lhakhang, Yurung, Pemagatshel 23rd -25th June
Haa Summer Festival Town festival Ground, Haa 14 – 15 July
Annual Tshechu Kadam Goenpa, Mongar 23rd -25th July
Tor Dok Thegchhog Namdrol Ugyen

Chholing Monastry, Dremitse, Mongar

25th -27th July
Annual Mushroom

Festival

Genekha, Thimphu 15 – 16 August
Hungla Chokhor Tokaphu Lhakhang, Tongzang, Trashiyangtse 9th – 11th August
Kengcham Mangdok

Chukor

Yarphel Lhakhang, Yalang, Trashiyangtse 9th – 13th August
Masutaki Mushroom

Festival

Ura, Bumthang 23rd- 24th August
Aa-hoi Bon Choe Bjoka/Trong, Zhemgang 14th August
Don-dor      la      Duel

Choey

Bjoka/Trong, Zhemgang 17th -21st August
Thrumshingla to Purgyela Festival Ura Village, Ura, Bumthang 18th August
Chha Festival Tagmochhu, Lhuentse 24th -27th August
Sa Nyen Tshechu Reling Lhakhang, Sherimuhung, Mongar 25th -27th August
Takila Chham Takila Lhakhang, Lhuentse 26th August
Chukor Shaksinggoenpa, Khamdang, Trashiyangtse 1st -9th September
Tour of the Dragon

(Bicycle Race)

Bumthang to Thimphu 1st September
Wangzhing Rabney Wangzhing Lhakhang, Lhuentse 4th -5th September
Khadro      Kang      sol

cham

Kadam Lhakhang, Khengkhar, Mongar 6th -9th September
Thimphu Dromche Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu 15th September
Bum Tashi Festival Gasa Dzong, Gasa 16th September
KhadroKong          Sag

Cham

Samten Choeling Lhakhang, Tsakaling, Mongar 16th -19th September
Neypai Chha Ney Village, Gangzur, Lhuentse 16th -22nd

September

Annual Tshechu Tokaphu Lhakhang, Tongzang, Trashiyangtse 17th -19th September
Kothakpa Tshechu Shumar/Kothakpa, Pemagatshel 17th -19th September
Goenpung Tshechu Shumar/Goenpun, Pemagatshel 17th -19th September
Wandue Tshechu Tencholing Army Ground, Wangduephodrang 17th -19th September
Dorjitse Kuchoed Dorji Gompa, Tang,  Bumthang 18th -20th September
Shaksinggoenpa Tshechu Shaksinggoenpa, Khamdang, Trashiyangtse 18th -20th September
Galing             Goenpa

Tshechu

Galing Goenpa, Chukha 19th -20th September
Thimphu Tshechu Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu 19th -21st September
Tamshing Phala Choedpa Tamshing Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang 19th -21st September
Dungsingma Tshechu Dungsingma, Yurung , Pemagatshel 22nd -24th

September

Nangkor Tshechu Shumar, Pemagatshel 22nd -24th

September

Thangbi Mewang Thangbi Lhakhang, Choekor, Bumthang 23rd -26th September
Kadam Tshechu Kadam Lhakhang, Khar, Pemagatshel 23rd -26th September
Tshapamey Wang Dzong, Lhuentse 24th September
Khomshar Kharphug Khomshar, Bardo,  Zhemgang 25th September
Bhutan Birds Festival Tingtibi, Zhemgang 8th -10th October
Jhomolhari

Mountain Festival

Dangojang, Thimphu 4th -5th October
Bardo Thongdral Gar Cham Ugyen Gatshel Lhakhang,  Jurmey, Mongar 15th -19th October
Shingkhar Rabdhey Shingkhar Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang 15th -18th October
Jakar Tshechu Jakar Dzong, Bumthang 17 – 20 October
Lanyiri Tshechu Lanyiri Lhakhang, Dungmin, Pemagatshel 17th -19th October
Ugyencholing Kangsel Ugyencholing Dzong, Tang, Bumthang 17th -19th October
Chukha Tshechu Chukha Ngedrubtse Dzong, Chukha 17th -19th October
Tshebar Tshechu Tshebar Lhakhang, Khar, Pemagatshel 17th -20th October
Goenkar Tshechu Goenpa Karpo, Khoma, Lhuentse 18th -20th October
Dungmed Tshechu Dungmed Lhakhang, Dungmin, Pemagatshel 22nd -24th October
Pemagatshel Tshechu Pemagatshel Dzong 23 – 25 November
Royal Highland

Festival

Laya, Gasa 23rd -24th October
Bardo Kharphug Bardo, Zhemgang 24th October
Jambay Lhakang Drup Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang 24th -27th October
Prakar Duechoed Prakar Lhakang, Bumthang 25th -27th October
Sonamthang Tshechu Panbang Dungkhag, Zhemgang 29th -31st October
Laya Aolay Laya 30th November
Sumthrang Rabney Sumthrang Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang 3rd -7th November
Khomshar Bon-Choe

Katag

Khomshar, Bardo, Zhemgang 6th November
Goenpoi Dromche Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa 8th -10th November
Black necked Crane

Festival

Gangtey Goenpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang 11th November
Kang Sol Chhenmo Thegchhog Namdrol Ugyen

Chholing Monastry, Dremitse, Mongar

14th – 18th

November

Mongar Tshechu Mongar Dzong, Mongar 15th – 18th

November

Thrichugoenpa Tshechu Thrichugoenpa, Tongzang, Trashiyangtse 15th -18th

November

Menchu

Pemaphuendey

Norbugang, Pemagatshel 15th -18th

November

Silambee Tshechu Na Gor Lhakhang, Silambee, Mongar 15th -18th

November

Trashigang Tshechu Trashigang Dzong, Trashigang 17th -19th

November

Tang Namkhar Rabney Tang Namkhar Lhakhang, Tang, Bumthang 16th -17th

November

Geokar Lhakhang Tshechu Geokar Lhakhang, Yalang, Trashiyangtse 18th -23rd

November

Doedel Pemacholing Tshechu Doedel Pemacholing Lhakhang, Ramjar, Trashiyangtse 20th -24th

November

Gonphug Tshechu Gomphu, Trong, Zhemgang 21st -23rd November
Buli Tshechu Buli, Nangkhor, Zhemgang 21st -23rd November
Gamung Tshechu Shumar/Gamung, Pemagatshel 21st -23rd November
Ngatshang Tshechu Sang Ngag Choeling Lhakhang, Ngatshang, Mongar 21st -23rd November
Phumithang Tshechu Phumithang Dratshang, Shingkhar, Zhemgang 21st -23rd November
Shingkhar Tshechu Shingkhar, Zhemgang 21st -23rd November
Wamling Tshechu Wamling, Shingkhar, Zhemgang 21st -23rd November
Thrisa Tshechu Thrisa, Shingkhar, Zhemgang 21st -23rd November
Goshing Tshechu Goshing, Zhemgang 21st -23rd November
Kangsol Chhenmo Yak Dued Goenpa, Chaskhar, Mongar 22nd -24th

November

Kadam Tshechu Kadam Zangtopelri, Chaskhar, Mongar 22nd -24th

November

Khangma Tshechu Khangma Lhakhang, Yurung, Pemagatshel 22nd -24th

November

Bjoka Tshechu Bjoka/Trong,Zhemgang 22nd -25th

November

Chojam Rabney Chojam Lhakahng, Tang, Bumthang 22nd -26th

November

Ladrong Rabney Tshechu Ladrong Lhakhang, Jarey, Lhuentse 22nd -26th

November

Bon-choe Thrisa/Shingkhar/Wamling/Radhi/ Nimshong, Zhemgang 23rd November
Bon-Choe Dangkhar, Trong, Zhemgang 23rd November
Bon-Choe Buli/Tali/Kihar, Nangkhor,

Zhemgang

23rd November
Dangkhar Tshechu Dangkhar, Trong, Zhemgang 23rd November
Ngala Trong Tshechu Ngala Trong, Zhemgang 23rd November
Jambay Lhakang Singye Cham Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang 23rd November
Khengkhar Tshechu Dungkhar Goenpa, Khengkhar, Mongar 23rd November
Khomshar Tshechu Khomshar, Bardo, Zhemgang 23rd November
Langdorbi Bon-Choe Langdorbi, Bardo, Zhemgang 23rd November
Ma-mung Trong Tshechu Ma-Mung Trong, Phangkhar, Zhemgang 23rd November
Tashibee Tshechu Tashibee, Pangkhar, Zhemgang 23rd November
Dekiling Tshechu Dekiling Goenpa, Gelephu Thromde, Sarpang 23rd November
Nga Lhakhang Zhi Nga Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang 23rd -25th

November

Pangkhar Choedpa Pangkhar Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang 2nd -7th December
Druk Wangyel Tshechu Dochula,Thimphu 13th December
Sombrang Kangsol Sombrang Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang 3rd -5th December
Jangchubling Tshechu Jangchubling, Gangzur, Lhuentse 5th -6th December
Lhuentse Tshechu Lhuentse Dzong, Lhuentse 15th -17th

December

Trongsa Tshechu Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa 15th -17th

December

Dungkhor Tshechu Dungkhor Lhakhang, Chokhorling, Pemagatshel 15th -17th

December

Gelephu Rabney Dratsang Tshechu Gelephu Dratshang, Gelephu Thromde, Sarpang 15th -17th

December

Dungkar Tshechu Dungkar Choeje Nagtsang, Lhuentse 15th -18th

December

Bhutan Birds Festival Tingtibi, Zhemgang 15th -16th

December

Mendrel Tshechu Mendrel Lhakhang, Chongshing, Pemagatshel 17th -18th

December

Daga Trashiyangtshi Annual Tshechu Tshechupang , Daga Dzong, Dagana 18th -22nd

December

Domsing Lhakhang Tshechu Domsing Lhakhang, Jamkhar, Trashiyangtse 19th -23rd

December

Bangyue Tshechu Bangyue Lhakhang, Dungmin, Pemagatshel 20th -22nd

December

Dechen Pelri Tshechu Dechen Pelri Lhakhang, Chimong, Pemagatshel 20th -22nd

December

Sangay Lingpai Cham Chimung Gewog, Pemagatshel 20th -22nd

December

Wongborang Tshechu Wongborang Lhakhang, Dungmin, Pemagatshel 20th -22nd

December

Labar Tshechu Labar Lhakhang, Khar, Pemagatshel 21st – 22nd

December

Kidlung Choedpa Kidlung Lhakhang, Gangzur, Lhuentse 21st -22nd

December

Shinger Meto Choepda Shinger Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang 22nd December
Nabji Lhakhang Drub Nabji Lhakhang, Nabji, Trongsa 22nd December
Korphu Lhakhang Drub Korphu Lhakhang, Nabji, Trongsa 22nd December
Dagapela Tshechu Dagapela Lhakhang, Dagana 29th – 31st

December

Dates are accurate as of March 2018. These are tentative dates for the calendar year.
We do our best, but dates may change due to re-calculation and other issues.
Please double check all dates and festivals with Bhutan Travel.