2022

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.

1 Punakha Drubchen Punakha Dzong, Punakha 9 th -11th March
2 Punakha Tshechu Punakha Dzong, Punakha 12 th -14th March

3

 

Tharpaling Thongdrol Tharpaling Lhakhang,  Chumi, Bumthang 18 th March

4

 

Gomphukora Gom Kora Lhakhang, Trashigang 9 th -11th April
5 Talo Tshechu Talo Gonpa, Punakha 9 th -11th April
6

Gasa Tshechu

 

Gasa Dzong, Gasa 9 th -11th April
7 Zhemgang Tshechu Zhemgang Dzong, Zhemgang 9 th -11th April
8 Paro Tshechu Rinpung Dzong, Paro

12th -16th April

(Thongdral on last day)

9 Chhorten Kora Chorten Kora,  Trashiyangtshe 30 th April
10 Rhododendron Festival Lamperi Botanical Garden, Dochula, Thimphu

15th – 17st April

 

11 Domkhar Tshechu Domkhar, Chumni, Bumthang. 11 th -13th May
12 Ura Yakchoe Ura Lhakhang, Bumthang 13 th – 17th May
13 Nimalung Tshechu Nimalung Dratshang, Chumni, Bumthang   7th -9th July
14 Kurjey Tshechu

Kurjey Lhakhang,

Choekhor, Bumthang

9 th July
15 Haa Summer Festival Haa 9th -10th July
16 Mushroom Festival Genekha, Thimphu. 15th & 16th Aug
17 Tour of the Dragon (Bicycle Race) Bumthang to Thimphu 3rd Sept
18 Thimphu Drubchen Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu 1st Oct
19 Wangdue Tshechu Tencholing Army Ground, Wangduephodrang. 3 rd  – 5th Oct
20 Tamshing Phala Chhoepa Tamshing lhakhang, Bumthang 5 th -7th Oct
21 Thimphu Tshechu Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu 5 th -7th Oct
22 Gangtey Tshechu

Gangtey Gonpa,

Phobjikha,Wangduephodrang.

7th -9th Oct

(Thongdral on last

day)

23 Thangbi Mani Tangbi Lhakhang, Choekor, Bumthang 8 th -10th Oct
24 Jhomolhari Mountain Festival Dangochong, Thimphu 14th & 15th Oct
25 Chhukha Tshechu Chhukha Dzong, Chhukha 1 st -3rd Nov
26 Jakar Tshechu Jakar Dzong, Choekhor,  Bumthang. 1 st -3rd Nov
27 Jambay Lhakhang Drup Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang 8 th -12th  Nov
28 Prakhar Duchhoed Prakar Khakhang, Chumni, Bumthang 9 th -11th Nov
29 Dechenphu Tshechu Dechenphu Lhakhang, Thimphu 3 rd Nov
30 Black Necked Crane Festival Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang. 11th Nov
31 Mongar Tshechu Mongar Dzong, Mongar 1 st -3rd Dec
32 Trashigang Tshechu Trashigang Dzong, Trashigang. 1 st -3rd Dec
33 Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang 7 th Dec
34 Pemagatshel Tshechu Pemagatshel Dzong, Pemagatshel.

1st -3rd Dec

(Thongdral on last

day)

35 Nalakhar Tshechu Ngaa Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang 8 th -10th Dec
36 Druk Wangyel Tshechu Douchula , Thimphu 13th  Dec
37 Trongsa Tshechu Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa

30th Dec – 1st Jan

2023

(Thongdral on last day)

38 Lhuentse Tshechu Lhuentse Dzong, Lhuentse

30th  Dec – 1st Jan

2023

(Thongdral on last day)

39 Nabji Lhakhang Drup Nabji Lhakhang, Nabji, Trongsa 6 th-7th Jan 2023
40 Samdrupjongkhar Tshechu Samdrupjongkhar 4 th -6th January 2023

Tentatives dates are accurate as of January 2022 courtesy of the Tourism Council of Bhutan
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.