2023

Bhutan Festival Dates

Festivals

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 21st – 23rd February
2. PELDEN LHAMOI

DRUPCHEN/ FESTIVAL OF MAHAKALI

Trongsa Dzong,  Trongsa 25th – 27th February
3. DRUBCHEN Punakha Dzong, Punakha 24th – 28th February
4. PHURBA DUBCHEN Doedel Pemacholing

Lhakhang, Ramjar,  Trashi Yangtse

26th February – 7th

March

5. TRASHIYANGTSE ANNUAL TSHECHU Tokaphu Lhakhang,

Tongzhang, Trashi Yangtse

27th February – 1st

March

6. KHENGZOR TSHECHU Khengzor Lhakhang,    Khar, Pemagatshel 28th February – 2nd

March

7. LICHIBI TSECHU Lichibi, Zhemgang 1st March
8. PUNAKHA TSHECHU Punakha Dzong, Punakha 1st – 3rd March
9. NAKTSHANG TSECHU Nyalamdung Naktshang, Khoma, Lhuntse 1st – 5th March
10. NGANGLAM TSHECHU Nganglam Lhakhang, Zobel, Pemagatshel 5th – 7th March
11. TANGSIBI MANI Tangsibi Lhakhang, Ura,  Bumthang 6th – 10th March

 

12. THARPALING THONGDROL Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chumey,Bumthang 7th March

 

13. CHENGA KORA Chorten Kora, Trashi Yangtse 7th March
14. ZHURI DUECHOED

 

Zhuri Lhakhang, Chumey,     Bumthang  17th – 18th March
15. GAYDEN CHOEDPA

 

Gayden Lhakhang, Ura,

Bumthang

19th – 21st March

 

16. NAMGANG KORA

 

Chorten Kora, Trashi Yangtse 21st March
17. KHARPHU LHASOL BjokaTrong,  Zhemgang 24th March
18. ZHEMGANG DZONGKHAG

TSECHU

Zhemgang Dzong, Zhemgang 28th – 31st March
19. GASA TSECHU Gasa Dzong, Gasa 28th – 31st March
20. TSIRANG TSHECHU Ragbey Dratshang, Tsirang 29th – 31st March
21. TALO TSECHU Talo Monastry, Punakha 29th – 31st March
22. GOMKORA TSHECHU

 

Gomphu Kora, Trashi Yangtse 31st March

 

23. PREWCHOED Buli/Tali/Nangkhor,  Zhemgang 31st March
24. BHUTAN INTERNATIONAL

MARATHON RUN

 

Gasa – Punakha 4th March
25. DZONGDRA TSHECHU Dzongdrakha Lhakhang, Luni, Paro 31st March – 7th

April

26. PARO TSHECHU CHHENMO Ringpung Deyangkha,  Paro 2nd – 6th April
27. KHOMSHAR TSECHU Khomshar, Zhemgang 6th – 8th April
28. RHODODENDRON

FESTIVAL

Lamperi Botanical Garden,    Dochula, Thimphu  17th – 19th April
29. RAWABI TSHECHU Rawabi Goenpa, Maenbi, Lhuentse 28th – 30th April
30. TASHICHOLING

LHAKHANG TSHECHU

Tashicholing Lhakhang, Yurung, Pemagatshel 28th – 30th April
31. DUNGKHAR TSHECHU Dungkhar Lhakhang, Khar,    Pemagatshel 28th April – 1st May
32. DUNGMED TSHECHU Dungmed Lhakhang, Pemagatshel 28th – 30th April
33. NEYPHU MANI NeyphuGoenpa Shaba Gewog  

30th April

34. DOMKHAR TSHECHU

 

Domkhar Lhakhang,              Chumey, Bumthang 30th April – 2nd May

 

35. URA YAKCHOED Ura Lhakhang, Ura,

Bumthang

2nd – 6th May
36. DUMATI TSECHU Dumati, Lichibi,  Zhemgang 14th May
37. DOLAY DRUPCHEN Taktshang Pelphu 20th – 30th May
38. PREW KHOWCHUNG Gangzur, Lhuntse 30th May
39. PREW Jasabi, Kurtoe, Lhuentse 30th May – 1st June
40. BONCHOED Trong/Dangkhar,  Zhemgang 3rd June
41. ZOBEL TSHECHU Zobel Lhakhang, Zobel,      Pemagatshel 2nd – 4th June
42. DER-CHOED Bjoka Trong, Zhemgang 25th – 28th June
43. DECHENLING TSHECHU Dechenling Lhakhang, Dechenling, Pemagatshel 26th – 28th June

 

44. NIMALUNG TSHECHU

 

Nimalung Dratshang, Bumthang 26th – 28th June

 

45. DUNGSINGMA TSHECHU Dungsingma, Yurung       Pemagatshel 28th June
46. KURJEY TSHECHU

 

Kurjey Lhakhang,

Choekhor, Bumthang

28th June

 

47. KHAMDANG TENDRA TSHECHU Shaksing Goenpa,

Khamdang,   Trashi Yangtse

27& 28th June

 

48. TRELDHA TSHECHU

 

Geokar Lhakhang, Yalang, Trashi Yangtse 28th June

 

49. THE SAKTEN TSHECHU Yuejug, Sakteng 28th June
50. HA FESTIVAL All Chiwogs in Jarey, Lhuentse 28th June – 2nd July
51. THE HAA SUMMER

FESTIVAL

Dzongkhag Ground, Upper market, Haa 2nd weekend of July
52. HUNGLA CHOKHOR

 

Tokaphu Lhakhang,

Tongzhang, Trashi Yangtse

14th – 16th Aug

 

53. LHAMOI DOEY-PHANG Ringpung Dzong, Paro 27th July
54. MERAK TSECHU/ SEMI NOMAD FESTIVAL Gengo, Merak 15th – 16th Aug
55. A-HOI BONCHOED Bjoka Trong,  Zhemgang 19th Aug
56. MATSUTAKE MUSHROOM

FESTIVAL

Genekha, Thimphu 20th – 21st Aug
57. DONGDORLA DUECHOED Bjoka Trong,  Zhemgang 23rd – 26th Aug
58. TAKILA CHHAM Takila Lhakhang, Lhuentse 29th – 31st Aug
59. KESIBI CHAA Kesibi Lhakhang, Maenbi, Lhuentse 29th – 31st August
60. TAKILA CHHA FESTIVAL Takila Lhakhang (old), Lhuentse 31st August
61. TOUR OF THE DRAGON (MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE) Bumthang to Thimphu 7th September
62. CHUKOR Shaksing goenpa,

Khamdang, Trashi Yangtse

4th – 14th September

 

63. CHHA Chhusa & Zimpong, Kurtoe, Lhuentse 17th -19th September

 

64. THIMPHU DROMCHOE

 

Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu 20th September

 

65. BUM TASHI FESTIVAL Gasa Dzong, Gasa 2nd October
66. DROMCHE Rinpung Dzong, Paro 22nd September
67. GOENPUNG TSHECHU Shumar/Goenpun, Pemagatshel 22nd – 24th September
68. KOTHAKPA TSHECHU Shumar/Kothakpa, Pemagatshel 22nd – 24th September
69. HAA TSECHU Lhakhang Karpo,  Haa 22nd – 24th September
70. WANGDUE TSHECHU

 

Tencholing Army Ground, Wangduephodrang 22nd – 24th

September

 

71. TERCHEN DRUPCHEN Kichu Lhakhang, Paro 23rd September – 4th

October

72. GELING GOENPA TSHECHU Geyling Goenpa,           Chukha 23rd – 24th September
73.   LAMAI KUCHOED

 

Dorji Gompa, Tang, Bumthang 23rd – 25th September
74. SHAKSINGGOENPA

TRADIONAL CHAM

TSHECHU

 

Shaksing Goenpa,

Khamdang, Trashi Yangtse

23rd – 25th September
75. JANGCHUBLING WANG Gangzur, Lhuentse 24th September
76. THIMPHU TSHECHU

 

Tashichhodzong,         Thimphu 24th – 26th September

 

77. TAMSHING PHALA

CHOEDPA

 

Tamshing Lhakhang,

Choekhor, Bumthang

24th – 26th September

 

78. NEY, JANG AND GANGZUR CHHA Gangzur, Lhuentse 24th – 26th September

 

79. DUNGSINGMA TSHECHU Dungsingma, Yurung ,  Pemagatshel 27th – 29th September
80. NANGKOR TSHECHU Shumar, Pemagatshel 27th – 29th September
81. GANGTEY TSHECHU Gangtey Goenpa, Phobjikha,

Wangduephodrang.

27th – 29th September

 

82. THANGBI MEWANG

 

Thangbi Lhakhang,

Choekor, Bumthang

29th – 30th September

 

83. KADAM TSHECHU Kadam Lhakhang,           Khar, Pemagatshel 28th – 30th

September

84. PHUENTSHOLING THROMDE TSECHU Pelden Tashichoelling Shedra, Phuentsholing 29th September

 

85. KHOMSHAR KHARPHU Khomshar, Zhemgang 29th September
86. DANKALA MANI

(MANTRA)/TSHECHU-

Dankala lhakhang Shaba, Paro 29th September

 

87. LAYA AULAY Laya, Gasa 22nd – 28th october
88. JOMOLHARI MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL Jangkothang, Upper Paro 14th – 15th October
89. SHINGKHAR RABNEY Shingkhar Lhakhang,         Ura, Bumthang 20th – 24th September

 

90. “BHO-YAK” Janka-kha at upper valley of Haa. 21st October
91. ROYAL HIGHLAND FESTIVAL Laya, Gasa 23rd – 24th October
92. JAKAR TSHECHU Jakar Dzong, Bumthang 21st – 25th October
93. CHUKHA TSHECHU Chukha Ngedrubtse Dzong, Chukha 23rd – 24th October

 

94. LANYIRI TSHECHU

 

Lanyiri Lhakhang,

Dungmin, Pemagatshel

22nd – 24th October
95. UGYENCHOLING KANGSEL

 

Ugyencholing Dzong, Tang, Bumthang  

22nd – 24th October

96. TSHEBAR TSHECHU Tshebar Lhakhang,     Khar, Pemagatshel 23rd – 25th October
97. GOENKAR TSECHU Goenkar, Khoma, Lhuentse 23rd – 25th October
98. DECHENPHUG TSECHU Dechenphug lhakhang, Thimphu 24th October

 

99. DUNGMED TSHECHU Dungmed Lhakhang, Dungmin, Pemagatshel 26th – 28th October
100 PEMAGATSHEL TSHECHU Pemagatshel Dzong, Pemagatshel 26th – 28th October
101 CHANGANGKHA

LHAKHANG TSECHU

Changangkha Lhakhang Thimphu 27th October

 

102 TSHEPAMI THRONGDREL Ringpung Deyangkha, Paro 28th October
103 LAYA RUN Laya, Gasa 23rd October
104 JAMBAY LHAKANG SINGYE CHAM Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang 27th November
105 JAMBAY LHAKANG DRUP

 

Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang 28th – 31st October
106 PRAKAR DUECHOE Prakar Lhakang, Bumthang 29th – 31st October
107 PANBANG TSECHU Sonamthang Dratshang,  zhemgang 2nd – 4th November

 

108 SERZHONG TSECHU Do-Ngag Kuenzangcholing

Lhakhang, Serzhong,  Sarpang

22nd – 24th October
109 BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS MAJESTY JIGME SINGYE WANGCHUCK 11th November
110 BLACK-NECKED CRANE

FESTIVAL –

 

Gangtey Goenpa, Phobjikha,

Wangduephodrang.

11 November

 

 

111 BIRD FESTIVAL Tingtibi, Zhemgang 11th -13th November
112 SUMTHRANG KANGSEL Sumthrang Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang  

9th – 13th November

113 KHOMSHAR KATAG Khomshar,  Zhemgang

 

12th November

 

114 YESHEY GOENPOI

DRUPCHEN/ FESTIVAL OF MAHAKALA

Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa 18th – 20th November

 

115 MONGAR TSECHU Mongar Dzong, Mongar 19th – 22nd

November

116 TANG NAMKHAR RABNEY

 

Tang Namkhar Lhakhang, Tang, Bumthang 21st – 22nd November

 

117 DECHENLING TSHECHU Dechenling Lhakhang, Dechenling, Pemagatshel 20th – 22nd

November

118 MENCHU PEMAPHUENDEY Norbugang, Pemagatshel 20th – 22nd

November

119 PEMA YOESELCHOLING GOENPA TSECHU Kencholing, Geog:

Shompangkhag, Sarpang

4th November
120 GEOKAR LHAKHANG TSHECHU Geokar Lhakhang, Yalang, Trashi Yangtse 22nd – 27th

November

121 DOEDEL PEMACHOLING TSHECHU Doedel Pemacholing

Lhakhang, Ramjar, Trashi Yangtse

24th – 28th November

 

122 GOSHING TSECHU Goshing Trong,  Zhemgang 25th – 26th November
123 PHUMITHANG TSECHU Phumithang Dratshang,  Zhemgang 25th – 27th November

 

124 GAMUNG TSHECHU Shumar/Gamung, Pemagatshel 25th – 27th November

 

125 GONGPHU TSECHU Gongphu, Zhemgang 25th – 27th November
126 BULI TSECHU Buli, Zhemgang 25th – 27th November
127 KHANGMA TSHECHU Khangma Lhakhang, Yurung, Pemagatshel 26th – 28th November
128 BJOKA TSECHU Bjoka Trong,  Zhemgang 26th – 29th November
129 CHOJAM RABNEY Chojam Lhakahng, Tang, Bumthang 27th November
130 LADRONG RABNEY Ladrong Lhakhang, Jarey, Lhuentse 26th – 30th November
131 BONCHOED Trong/Dangkhar,  Zhemgang 27th November
132 KHARPHU BONCHOED Shingkhar, Zhemgang 27th November
133 MAMUNG TSECHU Mamung Trong,  Zhemgang 27th November

 

134 TASHIBI TSECHU Tashibi, Zhemgang 27th November
135 NANGLA TSECHU Nangla, Trong,  Zhemgang 27th November

 

136 BONCHOED Buli/Tali/Kikhar/Nangkhor,

Zhemgang

27th November

 

137 THRISA TSECHU Thrisa, Zhemgang 27th – 30th November
138 LANGDURBI BONCHOED Langdurbi, Zhemgang 27th – 29th November
139 NGA LHAKHANG ZHI

 

Nga Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang 27th – 29th November
140 BARDO KHARPHU Bardo, Zhemgang 27th – 30th November
141 CHUZANGANG TSECHU

 

Chuzangang Lhakhang, Serzhong,  Sarpang 15th November
142 SHINGKHAR TSECHU Shingkhar, Zhemgang 27th November – 1st

December

143 WAMLING TSECHU Wamling, Zhemgang 27th November – 1st

December

144 PANGKHAR CHOEDPA

 

Pangkhar Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang 7th – 12th December

 

145 MONPA Festival Jangbi, Trongsa 10th December
146 JANGCHUBLING TSECHU Gangzur, Lhuentse 10th – 11th December
147 DRUK WANGYEL TSHECHU Dochula, Thimphu 13th December
148 LOMBA Individual House, Haa and Paro 11th December

 

149 DUNGKAR TSHECHU Kurtoe, Lhuentse 20th – 22nd December
150 TRONGSA ANNUAL TSHECHU Trongsa Dzong,  Trongsa 20th – 23rd December
151 LHUENTSE DZONG

(LHUENTSE TSHECHU):

Gangzur Lhuentse 19th – 23rd December
152 SAMDRUP JONGKHAR ANNUAL TSECHU Samdrup Jongkhar Rabdey 24th – 26th December

 

153 KILUNG CHOTPA Gangzur, Lhuentse 25th and 26th

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.