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.