Bhutan Festivals 2023 - Bhutan Travel

2023

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.		BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS MAJESTY JIGME KHESAR NAMGYEL WANGCHUCK		21^st – 23^rd February
2.		PELDEN LHAMOI DRUPCHEN/ FESTIVAL OF MAHAKALI	Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa	25^th – 27^th February
3.		DRUBCHEN	Punakha Dzong, Punakha	24^th – 28^th February
4.		PHURBA DUBCHEN	Doedel Pemacholing Lhakhang, Ramjar, Trashi Yangtse	26^th February – 7^th March
5.		TRASHIYANGTSE ANNUAL TSHECHU	Tokaphu Lhakhang, Tongzhang, Trashi Yangtse	27^th February – 1^st March
6.		KHENGZOR TSHECHU	Khengzor Lhakhang, Khar, Pemagatshel	28^th February – 2^nd March
7.		LICHIBI TSECHU	Lichibi, Zhemgang	1^st March
8.		PUNAKHA TSHECHU	Punakha Dzong, Punakha	1^st – 3^rd March
9.		NAKTSHANG TSECHU	Nyalamdung Naktshang, Khoma, Lhuntse	1^st – 5^th March
10.		NGANGLAM TSHECHU	Nganglam Lhakhang, Zobel, Pemagatshel	5^th – 7^th March
11.		TANGSIBI MANI	Tangsibi Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang	6^th – 10^th March
12.		THARPALING THONGDROL	Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chumey,Bumthang	7^th March
13.		CHENGA KORA	Chorten Kora, Trashi Yangtse	7^th March
14.		ZHURI DUECHOED	Zhuri Lhakhang, Chumey, Bumthang	17^th – 18^th March
15.		GAYDEN CHOEDPA	Gayden Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang	19^th – 21^st March
16.		NAMGANG KORA	Chorten Kora, Trashi Yangtse	21^st March
17.		KHARPHU LHASOL	BjokaTrong, Zhemgang	24^th March
18.		ZHEMGANG DZONGKHAG TSECHU	Zhemgang Dzong, Zhemgang	28^th – 31^st March
19.		GASA TSECHU	Gasa Dzong, Gasa	28^th – 31^st March
20.		TSIRANG TSHECHU	Ragbey Dratshang, Tsirang	29^th – 31^st March
21.		TALO TSECHU	Talo Monastry, Punakha	29^th – 31^st March
22.		GOMKORA TSHECHU	Gomphu Kora, Trashi Yangtse	31^st March
23.		PREWCHOED	Buli/Tali/Nangkhor, Zhemgang	31^st March
24.		BHUTAN INTERNATIONAL MARATHON RUN	Gasa – Punakha	4^th March
25.		DZONGDRA TSHECHU	Dzongdrakha Lhakhang, Luni, Paro	31^st March – 7^th April
26.		PARO TSHECHU CHHENMO	Ringpung Deyangkha, Paro	2^nd – 6^th April
27.		KHOMSHAR TSECHU	Khomshar, Zhemgang	6^th – 8^th April
28.		RHODODENDRON FESTIVAL	Lamperi Botanical Garden, Dochula, Thimphu	17^th – 19^th April
29.		RAWABI TSHECHU	Rawabi Goenpa, Maenbi, Lhuentse	28^th – 30^th April
30.		TASHICHOLING LHAKHANG TSHECHU	Tashicholing Lhakhang, Yurung, Pemagatshel	28^th – 30^th April
31.		DUNGKHAR TSHECHU	Dungkhar Lhakhang, Khar, Pemagatshel	28^th April – 1^st May
32.		DUNGMED TSHECHU	Dungmed Lhakhang, Pemagatshel	28^th – 30^th April
33.		NEYPHU MANI	NeyphuGoenpa Shaba Gewog	30^th April
34.		DOMKHAR TSHECHU	Domkhar Lhakhang, Chumey, Bumthang	30^th April – 2^nd May
35.		URA YAKCHOED	Ura Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang	2^nd – 6^th May
36.		DUMATI TSECHU	Dumati, Lichibi, Zhemgang	14^th May
37.		DOLAY DRUPCHEN	Taktshang Pelphu	20^th – 30^th May
38.		PREW KHOWCHUNG	Gangzur, Lhuntse	30^th May
39.		PREW	Jasabi, Kurtoe, Lhuentse	30^th May – 1^st June
40.		BONCHOED	Trong/Dangkhar, Zhemgang	3^rd June
41.		ZOBEL TSHECHU	Zobel Lhakhang, Zobel, Pemagatshel	2^nd – 4^th June
42.		DER-CHOED	Bjoka Trong, Zhemgang	25^th – 28^th June
43.		DECHENLING TSHECHU	Dechenling Lhakhang, Dechenling, Pemagatshel	26^th – 28^th June
44.		NIMALUNG TSHECHU	Nimalung Dratshang, Bumthang	26^th – 28^th June
45.		DUNGSINGMA TSHECHU	Dungsingma, Yurung Pemagatshel	28^th June
46.		KURJEY TSHECHU	Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang	28^th June
47.		KHAMDANG TENDRA TSHECHU	Shaksing Goenpa, Khamdang, Trashi Yangtse	27& 28^th June
48.		TRELDHA TSHECHU	Geokar Lhakhang, Yalang, Trashi Yangtse	28^th June
49.		THE SAKTEN TSHECHU	Yuejug, Sakteng	28^th June
50.		HA FESTIVAL	All Chiwogs in Jarey, Lhuentse	28^th June – 2^nd July
51.		THE HAA SUMMER FESTIVAL	Dzongkhag Ground, Upper market, Haa	2nd weekend of July
52.		HUNGLA CHOKHOR	Tokaphu Lhakhang, Tongzhang, Trashi Yangtse	14^th – 16^th Aug
53.		LHAMOI DOEY-PHANG	Ringpung Dzong, Paro	27^th July
54.		MERAK TSECHU/ SEMI NOMAD FESTIVAL	Gengo, Merak	15^th – 16^th Aug
55.		A-HOI BONCHOED	Bjoka Trong, Zhemgang	19^th Aug
56.		MATSUTAKE MUSHROOM FESTIVAL	Genekha, Thimphu	20^th – 21^st Aug
57.		DONGDORLA DUECHOED	Bjoka Trong, Zhemgang	23^rd – 26^th Aug
58.		TAKILA CHHAM	Takila Lhakhang, Lhuentse	29^th – 31^st Aug
59.		KESIBI CHAA	Kesibi Lhakhang, Maenbi, Lhuentse	29^th – 31^st August
60.		TAKILA CHHA FESTIVAL	Takila Lhakhang (old), Lhuentse	31^st August
61.		TOUR OF THE DRAGON (MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE)	Bumthang to Thimphu	7^th September
62.		CHUKOR	Shaksing goenpa, Khamdang, Trashi Yangtse	4^th – 14^th September
63.		CHHA	Chhusa & Zimpong, Kurtoe, Lhuentse	17^th -19^th September
64.		THIMPHU DROMCHOE	Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu	20^th September
65.		BUM TASHI FESTIVAL	Gasa Dzong, Gasa	2^nd October
66.		DROMCHE	Rinpung Dzong, Paro	22^nd September
67.		GOENPUNG TSHECHU	Shumar/Goenpun, Pemagatshel	22^nd – 24^th September
68.		KOTHAKPA TSHECHU	Shumar/Kothakpa, Pemagatshel	22^nd – 24^th September
69.		HAA TSECHU	Lhakhang Karpo, Haa	22^nd – 24^th September
70.		WANGDUE TSHECHU	Tencholing Army Ground, Wangduephodrang	22^nd – 24^th September
71.		TERCHEN DRUPCHEN	Kichu Lhakhang, Paro	23^rd September – 4^th October
72.		GELING GOENPA TSHECHU	Geyling Goenpa, Chukha	23^rd – 24^th September
73.		LAMAI KUCHOED	Dorji Gompa, Tang, Bumthang	23^rd – 25^th September
74.		SHAKSINGGOENPA TRADIONAL CHAM TSHECHU	Shaksing Goenpa, Khamdang, Trashi Yangtse	23^rd – 25^th September
75.		JANGCHUBLING WANG	Gangzur, Lhuentse	24^th September
76.		THIMPHU TSHECHU	Tashichhodzong, Thimphu	24^th – 26^th September
77.		TAMSHING PHALA CHOEDPA	Tamshing Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang	24^th – 26^th September
78.		NEY, JANG AND GANGZUR CHHA	Gangzur, Lhuentse	24^th – 26^th September
79.		DUNGSINGMA TSHECHU	Dungsingma, Yurung , Pemagatshel	27^th – 29^th September
80.		NANGKOR TSHECHU	Shumar, Pemagatshel	27^th – 29^th September
81.		GANGTEY TSHECHU	Gangtey Goenpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang.	27^th – 29^th September
82.		THANGBI MEWANG	Thangbi Lhakhang, Choekor, Bumthang	29^th – 30^th September
83.		KADAM TSHECHU	Kadam Lhakhang, Khar, Pemagatshel	28^th – 30^th September
84.		PHUENTSHOLING THROMDE TSECHU	Pelden Tashichoelling Shedra, Phuentsholing	29^th September
85.		KHOMSHAR KHARPHU	Khomshar, Zhemgang	29^th September
86.		DANKALA MANI (MANTRA)/TSHECHU-	Dankala lhakhang Shaba, Paro	29^th September
87.		LAYA AULAY	Laya, Gasa	22^nd – 28^th october
88.		JOMOLHARI MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL	Jangkothang, Upper Paro	14^th – 15^th October
89.		SHINGKHAR RABNEY	Shingkhar Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang	20^th – 24^th September
90.		“BHO-YAK”	Janka-kha at upper valley of Haa.	21^st October
91.		ROYAL HIGHLAND FESTIVAL	Laya, Gasa	23^rd – 24^th October
92.		JAKAR TSHECHU	Jakar Dzong, Bumthang	21^st – 25^th October
93.		CHUKHA TSHECHU	Chukha Ngedrubtse Dzong, Chukha	23^rd – 24^th October
94.		LANYIRI TSHECHU	Lanyiri Lhakhang, Dungmin, Pemagatshel	22^nd – 24^th October
95.		UGYENCHOLING KANGSEL	Ugyencholing Dzong, Tang, Bumthang	22^nd – 24^th October
96.		TSHEBAR TSHECHU	Tshebar Lhakhang, Khar, Pemagatshel	23^rd – 25^th October
97.		GOENKAR TSECHU	Goenkar, Khoma, Lhuentse	23^rd – 25^th October
98.		DECHENPHUG TSECHU	Dechenphug lhakhang, Thimphu	24^th October
99.		DUNGMED TSHECHU	Dungmed Lhakhang, Dungmin, Pemagatshel	26^th – 28^th October
100		PEMAGATSHEL TSHECHU	Pemagatshel Dzong, Pemagatshel	26^th – 28^th October
101		CHANGANGKHA LHAKHANG TSECHU	Changangkha Lhakhang Thimphu	27^th October
102		TSHEPAMI THRONGDREL	Ringpung Deyangkha, Paro	28^th October
103		LAYA RUN	Laya, Gasa	23^rd October
104		JAMBAY LHAKANG SINGYE CHAM	Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang	27^th November
105		JAMBAY LHAKANG DRUP	Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang	28^th – 31^st October
106		PRAKAR DUECHOE	Prakar Lhakang, Bumthang	29^th – 31^st October
107		PANBANG TSECHU	Sonamthang Dratshang, zhemgang	2^nd – 4^th November
108		SERZHONG TSECHU	Do-Ngag Kuenzangcholing Lhakhang, Serzhong, Sarpang	22^nd – 24^th October
109		BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS MAJESTY JIGME SINGYE WANGCHUCK		11^th November
110		BLACK-NECKED CRANE FESTIVAL –	Gangtey Goenpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang.	11 November
111		BIRD FESTIVAL	Tingtibi, Zhemgang	11^th -13^th November
112		SUMTHRANG KANGSEL	Sumthrang Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang	9^th – 13^th November
113		KHOMSHAR KATAG	Khomshar, Zhemgang	12^th November
114		YESHEY GOENPOI DRUPCHEN/ FESTIVAL OF MAHAKALA	Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa	18^th – 20^th November
115		MONGAR TSECHU	Mongar Dzong, Mongar	19^th – 22^nd November
116		TANG NAMKHAR RABNEY	Tang Namkhar Lhakhang, Tang, Bumthang	21^st – 22^nd November
117		DECHENLING TSHECHU	Dechenling Lhakhang, Dechenling, Pemagatshel	20^th – 22^nd November
118		MENCHU PEMAPHUENDEY	Norbugang, Pemagatshel	20^th – 22^nd November
119		PEMA YOESELCHOLING GOENPA TSECHU	Kencholing, Geog: Shompangkhag, Sarpang	4^th November
120		GEOKAR LHAKHANG TSHECHU	Geokar Lhakhang, Yalang, Trashi Yangtse	22^nd – 27^th November
121		DOEDEL PEMACHOLING TSHECHU	Doedel Pemacholing Lhakhang, Ramjar, Trashi Yangtse	24^th – 28^th November
122		GOSHING TSECHU	Goshing Trong, Zhemgang	25^th – 26^th November
123		PHUMITHANG TSECHU	Phumithang Dratshang, Zhemgang	25^th – 27^th November
124		GAMUNG TSHECHU	Shumar/Gamung, Pemagatshel	25^th – 27^th November
125		GONGPHU TSECHU	Gongphu, Zhemgang	25^th – 27^th November
126		BULI TSECHU	Buli, Zhemgang	25^th – 27^th November
127		KHANGMA TSHECHU	Khangma Lhakhang, Yurung, Pemagatshel	26^th – 28^th November
128		BJOKA TSECHU	Bjoka Trong, Zhemgang	26^th – 29^th November
129		CHOJAM RABNEY	Chojam Lhakahng, Tang, Bumthang	27^th November
130		LADRONG RABNEY	Ladrong Lhakhang, Jarey, Lhuentse	26^th – 30^th November
131		BONCHOED	Trong/Dangkhar, Zhemgang	27^th November
132		KHARPHU BONCHOED	Shingkhar, Zhemgang	27^th November
133		MAMUNG TSECHU	Mamung Trong, Zhemgang	27^th November
134		TASHIBI TSECHU	Tashibi, Zhemgang	27^th November
135		NANGLA TSECHU	Nangla, Trong, Zhemgang	27^th November
136		BONCHOED	Buli/Tali/Kikhar/Nangkhor, Zhemgang	27^th November
137		THRISA TSECHU	Thrisa, Zhemgang	27^th – 30^th November
138		LANGDURBI BONCHOED	Langdurbi, Zhemgang	27^th – 29^th November
139		NGA LHAKHANG ZHI	Nga Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang	27^th – 29^th November
140		BARDO KHARPHU	Bardo, Zhemgang	27^th – 30^th November
141		CHUZANGANG TSECHU	Chuzangang Lhakhang, Serzhong, Sarpang	15^th November
142		SHINGKHAR TSECHU	Shingkhar, Zhemgang	27^th November – 1^st December
143		WAMLING TSECHU	Wamling, Zhemgang	27^th November – 1^st December
144		PANGKHAR CHOEDPA	Pangkhar Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang	7^th – 12^th December
145		MONPA Festival	Jangbi, Trongsa	10^th December
146		JANGCHUBLING TSECHU	Gangzur, Lhuentse	10^th – 11^th December
147		DRUK WANGYEL TSHECHU	Dochula, Thimphu	13^th December
	148	LOMBA	Individual House, Haa and Paro	11^th December
	149	DUNGKAR TSHECHU	Kurtoe, Lhuentse	20^th – 22^nd December
	150	TRONGSA ANNUAL TSHECHU	Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa	20^th – 23^rd December
	151	LHUENTSE DZONG (LHUENTSE TSHECHU):	Gangzur Lhuentse	19^th – 23^rd December
	152	SAMDRUP JONGKHAR ANNUAL TSECHU	Samdrup Jongkhar Rabdey	24^th – 26^th December
	153	KILUNG CHOTPA	Gangzur, Lhuentse	25^th and 26^th December

Tentatives dates are accurate as of July 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.