2026
Festival Dates
Plan your trip around Bhutan’s sacred celebrations. Dates follow the lunar calendar and may shift — contact us for confirmed schedules
Lunar Calendar Notice
Bhutanese festivals follow the traditional lunar calendar. Exact dates are confirmed 2–3 months before each festival. The dates listed here are approximate and subject to change. contact us for the latest confirmed dates.
TENTATIVEL FESTIVAL DATES FOR THE 2026 &2027
Spring Festivals
Feb 16 – 18, 2027
3 Days
Punakha Dromcheo
Punakha Dzong
Dramatic battle re-enactment commemorating the victory over Tibetan invaders, featuring warriors in traditional armour.
Feb 13 – 15, 2026
3 Days
Punakha Tsechu
Punakha Dzong
Sacred masked dances following the Drubchen, set against the stunning backdrop of Punakha Dzong at the confluence of two rivers.
Feb 20, 2027
1 Days
Tharpaling Thongdrol
Tharpaling Lhakhang,Bumthang
A sacred festival centered on the unfurling of a giant Thongdrol (religious scroll painting) The Thongdrol is displayed at dawn for blessings Believed that simply seeing it can cleanse negative karma
16 Mar – 18 Mar , 2027
3 Days
Gomphukora
Trashiyangtse
Pilgrims gather to circumambulate (kora) a sacred cave temple linked to Guru Rinpoche Many people camp overnight along the riverbanks Strong participation from eastern Bhutan communities (especially from Trashigang & Trashiyangtse)
16 Mar – 18, 2027
3 Days
Talo Tshechu
Talo Monastery
Known for graceful, refined dances unique to Talo village Strong involvement of local nobility and community families Famous for women performing traditional dances (rare in some tshechus)
16 Mar – 18 Mar 2027
3 Days
Gasa Tshechu
Gasa Dzong
One of Bhutan’s most remote festivals Set against dramatic Himalayan mountain scenery Strong sense of local culture with very few tourists
31 Mar – 2 April 2026
3 Days
Talo Tshechu
Talo Monastery
Known for graceful, refined dances unique to Talo village Strong involvement of local nobility and community families Famous for women performing traditional dances (rare in some tshechus)
16 Mar – 18 Mar 2027
3 Days
Zhemgang Tshechu
Zhemgang Dzong
One of the least-visited tshechus in Bhutan Strong rural and traditional atmosphere Held in a region known for its intact heritage village architecture
18 Mar– 22 April 2027
5 Days
Paro Tshechu
Rinpung Dzong
One of the most famous and widely attended tshechus in Bhutan Attracts both locals and international visitors Rich program of sacred Cham (mask dances) Strong spiritual connection to Guru Rinpoche
08 Mar, 2027
1 Days
Chorten Kora Festival
Chorten Kora
Pilgrims circumambulate a large stupa (chorten) day and night Strong participation from the Dakpa community (from Arunachal Pradesh, India) Many people camp overnight around the chorten
16 Apr – 18 Apr 2027
3 Days
Domkhar Tshechu
Domkhar Lhakhang
A small, intimate village festival in Bumthang Very few tourists → authentic local experience Set in a peaceful valley with traditional Bhutanese homes
18 Apr – 22 Apr 2027
3 Days
Ura Yakchoe (Ura Yakchö)
Ura Village
Unique Yak Dance festival celebrated only in Ura village Monks and villagers perform colorful, symbolic dances including yak masks Strong local participation → very few tourists
Summer Festivals
22 Jun– 24 Jun 2026
3 Days
Nimalung Tshechu
Nimalung Lhakhang
Traditional Bumthang valley festival with local participation Held at Nimalung Lhakhang, a historic monastery Less touristy than major dzong festivals → intimate and authentic
24 Jun, 2026
1 Days
Kurjey Lhakhang Tshech
Kurjey Lhakhang
Celebrated at Kurjey Lhakhang, the site of Guru Rinpoche’s meditation cave Sacred festival honoring Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) Combines monastic dances, rituals, and community participation
Autumn Festivals
5 September 2026
1 Days
Tour of the Dragon — Mountain Bike Race (Bhutan)
Bumthang
Climb and descend through: Kiki La Pass (~2,870 m) Yotong La Pass (~3,430 m) Pele La Pass (~3,420 m) Dochu La Pass (~3,150 m) Finish: Thimphu (≈2,300 m) — often celebrated with local cheers and cultural activitie
20 - 24 September 2026
4 Days
Thimphu Tshechu
Tashichho Dzong
One of Bhutan’s largest and most famous tshechus Held at Tashichho Dzong, the administrative and religious center of Thimphu Rich program of sacred Cham (mask) dances performed by monks
17 September 2026
1 Days
Thimphu Drubchen
Tashichho Dzong
Monastic reenactment of historic battles between Bhutanese and Tibetan forces Unique among tshechus because it focuses on military history and martial performance rather than just Cham dances
19 – 21 October 2026
3 Days
Wangdue Tshechu
Wangdue Dzong
One of Bhutan’s most picturesque dzong festivals, set in a historic riverside dzong Combines Cham dances, mask rituals, and cultural celebrations Strong community involvement from Wangdue Phodrang and surrounding villages
21 – 23 September 2026
3 Days
Tamshing Phala Choepa
Tamshing Lhakhang
Celebrated at Tamshing Lhakhang, founded by Ngawang Namgyal (Zhabdrung) Honors ancient Bhutanese Buddhist traditions and local deities Unique for its monastic dances and rituals that are very community-focused
24 – 26 September 2026
3 Days
Gangtey Tshechu
Gangtey Monastery
Celebrated in the beautiful Phobjikha valley, home to the endangered Black-necked Cranes Held at Gangtey Monastery, a major Nyingmapa monastery Combines Cham dances, rituals, and local festivities with spectacular natural scenery
26 – 27 Octember 2026
2 Days
Tangbi Mani Festival
Tangbi Mani Lhakhang
Celebrated at Tangbi Mani Lhakhang, a sacred site in Bumthang Focuses on ritual circumambulation (kora) around mani stones and prayer Highly community-oriented festival with monks and villagers participating
14 – 15 October 2026
2 Days
Jomolhari Mountain Festival
Soe Gewog, near the base of Jomolhari
The Jomolhari Mountain Festival is a two‑day highland celebration held at the base of one of Bhutan’s most iconic peaks, celebrating mountain culture, nature, and community.Began in 2013 to raise awareness about snow leopard conservation and high‑altitude culture
19 – 21 Octember 2026
3 Days
Chukha Tshechu
Chukha Dzong
Celebrated at Chukha Dzong, one of Bhutan’s historic dzongs Combines Cham dances, rituals, and community participation Important for local communities in southern Bhutan
18 – 21 Octember 2026
4 Days
Jakar Tshechu
Jakar Dzong
One of the major festivals in Bumthang, attracting local villagers and monks Held at Jakar Dzong, the historical fortress of central Bumthang Combines Cham dances, rituals, and blessings with vibrant community participation
26 – 29 Octember 2026
3 Days
Jambay Lhakhang Drup
Jambay Lhakhang
Celebrated at Jambay Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan (7th century) Marks the anniversary of its consecration One of the most famous Bumthang festivals, with sacred dances and community gatherings
11 November 2026
1 Days
Black-necked Crane Festival
Phobjikha Valley
Celebrates the arrival of endangered Black-necked Cranes from Tibet for wintering in Phobjikha Valley Combines cultural, spiritual, and ecological aspects Local communities and monks perform rituals and dances to honor the cranes
Winter Festivals
17 – 19 November 2026
3 Days
Mongar Tshechu
Mongar Dzong
Celebrated at Mongar Dzong, in eastern Bhutan Combines Cham dances, rituals, and blessings with strong local community participation Less touristy than western festivals → authentic cultural experience
18 – 20 November 2026
3 Days
Trashigang Tshechu
Trashigang Dzong
Celebrated at Trashigang Dzong, eastern Bhutan’s largest dzong Combines Cham dances, sacred rituals, and blessings with strong local participation Less touristy than western festivals → authentic cultural experience
18 – 21 Octember 2026
3 Days
Pemagatshel Tshechu
Pemagatshel Dzong
lively and colorful district festival celebrated by locals and monks. Features a mix of Cham (mask) dances, traditional folk performances, and community celebrations.cludes the sacred Thongdrel ceremony on the final day — a traditional.
13 December 2026
1 Days
Druk Wangyel Tshechu
Dochula Pass
Celebrated at Dochula Pass, a scenic mountain pass near Thimphu with 108 memorial chortens (stupas) Honors Bhutanese military victories and national heritage Features mask dances, rituals, and blessings in a panoramic Himalayan setting
17 – 21 December 2026
5 Days
Trongsa Tshechu
Trongsa Dzong
Celebrated at Trongsa Dzong, one of Bhutan’s most historic and strategically located dzongs Eastern-central Bhutan festival combining Cham dances, rituals, and blessings Strong community participation, attracting locals from nearby valleys
22 – 24 December 2026
3 Days
Samdrup Jongkhar Tshechu
Samdrup Jongkhar Dzong
Celebrated at Samdrup Jongkhar Dzong, in easternmost Bhutan Combines Cham (mask) dances, rituals, and local cultural celebrations Strong participation from eastern Bhutanese villages, making it authentic and lively
Plan Your Festival Journey
Let us craft a personalised itinerary around Bhutan’s sacred celebrations.