Celebrate Bhutan’s ancient culture and heritage
Rich in culture and spirituality, Bhutan celebrates a number of festivals with great vigour and fervours. Often a celebration of Bhutan’s ancient expressions of Buddhist culture, most festivals are dedicated to Guru Rimpoche, the saint who introduced Bhutan to Buddhism in the early 8th Century. The mystical dances, engaging performances, brave fire events, as well as enlightening re-enactments and re-creations comprise the festive celebrations.
Tshechus are typically held in various locations at different times of the year based on the Bhutanese lunar calendar. Here is a detailed view of the Bhutan festival calendar* highlighting when these festivals typically take place during the year. It is recommended to speak to your preferred Travel Specialist to confirm your travel dates coincide with the confirmed date of the festival you wish to attend.
*Last updated January 2023
| FESTIVAL | LOCATION | MONTH |
| Trongsa Tshechu | Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa (Thongdral on last day) | December to January |
| Lhuentse Tshechu | Lhuentse Dzong, Lhuentse (Thongdral on last day) | December to January |
| Nabji Lhakhang Drup | Nabji Lhakhang, Nabji, Trongsa | January |
| Samdrupjongkhar Tshechu | Samdrupjongkhar | January |
| Birth Anniversary Of His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck | February | |
| Pelden Lhamoi Drupchen/ Festival Of Mahakali | Trongsa Dzong,Trongsa | February |
| Drubchen | Punakha Dzong, Punakha | February |
| Phurba Dubchen | Doedel Pemacholing Lhakhang, Ramjar, trashi Yangtse | February to March |
| Trashiyangtse Annual Tshechu | Tokaphu Lhakhang, Tongzhang,trashi Yangtse | February to March |
| Khengzor Tshechu | Khengzor Lhakhang, Khar, Pemagatshel | February to March |
| Lichibi Tsechu | Lichibi, Zhemgang | March |
| Punakha Tshechu | Punakha Dzong, Punakha | March |
| Naktshang Tsechu | Nyalamdung Naktshang, Khoma, Lhuntse | March |
| Nganglam Tshechu | Nganglam Lhakhang, Zobel, Pemagatshel | March |
| Tangsibi Mani | Tangsibi Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang | March |
| Tharpaling Thongdrol | Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chumey,Bumthang | March |
| Chenga Kora | Chorten Kora,trashi Yangtse | March |
| Zhuri Duechoed | Zhuri Lhakhang, Chumey, Bumthang | March |
| Gayden Choedpa | Gayden Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang | March |
| Namgang Kora | Chorten Kora,trashi Yangtse | March |
| Kharphu Lhasol | BjokaTrong,Zhemgang | March |
| Zhemgang Dzongkhag Tsechu | Zhemgang Dzong, Zhemgang | March |
| Gasa Tsechu | Gasa Dzong, Gasa | March |
| Tsirang Tshechu | Ragbey Dratshang, Tsirang | March |
| Talo Tsechu | Talo Monastry, Punakha | March |
| Gomkora Tshechu | Gomphu Kora,trashi Yangtse | March |
| Prewchoed | Buli/Tali/Nangkhor, Zhemgang | March |
| Bhutan International Marathon Run | Gasa – Punakha | March |
| Dzongdra Tshechu | Dzongdrakha Lhakhang, Luni, Paro | March to April |
| Paro Tshechu Chhenmo | Ringpung Deyangkha, Paro | April |
| Khomshar Tsechu | Khomshar, Zhemgang | April |
| Rhododendron Festival | Lamperi Botanical Garden, Dochula, Thimphu | April |
| Rawabi Tshechu | Rawabi Goenpa, Maenbi, Lhuentse | April |
| Tashicholing Lhakhang Tshechu | Tashicholing Lhakhang, Yurung, Pemagatshel | April |
| Dungkhar Tshechu | Dungkhar Lhakhang, Khar, Pemagatshel | April to May |
| Dungmed Tshechu | Dungmed Lhakhang, Pemagatshel | April to May |
| Neyphu Mani | NeyphuGoenpa Shaba Gewog | April to May |
| Domkhar Tshechu | Domkhar Lhakhang, Chumey, Bumthang | April to May |
| Ura Yakchoed | Ura Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang | May |
| Dumati Tsechu | Dumati, Lichibi,Zhemgang | May |
| Dolay Drupchen | Taktshang Pelphu | May |
| Prew Khowchung | Gangzur, Lhuntse | May |
| Prew | Jasabi, Kurtoe, Lhuentse | May to June |
| Bonchoed | Trong/Dangkhar, Zhemgang | June |
| Zobel Tshechu | Zobel Lhakhang, Zobel,Pemagatshel | June |
| Der-Choed | Bjokatrong, Zhemgang | June |
| Dechenling Tshechu | Dechenling Lhakhang, Dechenling, Pemagatshel | June |
| Nimalung Tshechu | Nimalung Dratshang, Bumthang | June |
| Dungsingma Tshechu | Dungsingma, Yurung Pemagatshel | June |
| Kurjey Tshechu | Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | June |
| Khamdang Tendra Tshechu | Shaksing Goenpa, Khamdang, Trashi Yangtse | June |
| Treldha Tshechu | Geokar Lhakhang, Yalang,trashi Yangtse | June |
| The Sakten Tshechu | Yuejug, Sakteng | June |
| Ha Festival | All Chiwogs in Jarey, Lhuentse | June to July |
| The Haa Summer Festival | Dzongkhag Ground, Upper market, Haa | July |
| Hungla Chokhor | Tokaphu Lhakhang, Tongzhang,trashi Yangtse | August |
| Lhamoi Doey-Phang | Ringpung Dzong, Paro | July |
| Merak Tsechu/ Semi Nomad Festival | Gengo, Merak | August |
| A-Hoi Bonchoed | Bjokatrong, Zhemgang | August |
| Matsutake Mushroom Festival | Genekha, Thimphu | August |
| Dongdorla Duechoed | Bjokatrong, Zhemgang | August |
| Takila Chham | Takila Lhakhang, Lhuentse | August |
| Kesibi Chaa | Kesibi Lhakhang, Maenbi, Lhuentse | August |
| Takila Chha Festival | Takila Lhakhang (old), Lhuentse | August |
| Tour Of The Dragon (Mountain Bike Race) | Bumthang to Thimphu | September |
| Chukor | Shaksing goenpa, Khamdang,trashi Yangtse | September |
| Chha | Chhusa & Zimpong, Kurtoe, Lhuentse | September |
| Thimphu Dromchoe | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu | September |
| Dromche | Rinpung Dzong, Paro | September |
| Goenpung Tshechu | Shumar/Goenpun, Pemagatshel | September |
| Kothakpa Tshechu | Shumar/Kothakpa, Pemagatshel | September |
| Haa Tsechu | Lhakhang Karpo, Haa | September |
| Wangdue Tshechu | Tencholing Army Ground, Wangduephodrang | September |
| Geling Goenpa Tshechu | Geyling Goenpa, Chukha | September |
| Lamai Kuchoed | Dorji Gompa, Tang, Bumthang | September |
| Shaksinggoenpatradional Cham Tshechu | Shaksing Goenpa, Khamdang,trashi Yangtse | September |
| Jangchubling Wang | Gangzur, Lhuentse | September |
| Thimphu Tshechu | Tashichhodzong, Thimphu | September |
| Tamshing Phala Choedpa | Tamshing Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | September |
| Ney, Jang And Gangzur Chha | Gangzur, Lhuentse | September |
| Dungsingma Tshechu | Dungsingma, Yurung , Pemagatshel | September |
| Nangkor Tshechu | Shumar, Pemagatshel | September |
| Gangtey Tshechu | Gangtey Goenpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang. | September |
| Thangbi Mewang | Thangbi Lhakhang, Choekor, Bumthang | September |
| Kadam Tshechu | Kadam Lhakhang, Khar, Pemagatshel | September |
| Phuentsholing Thromde Tsechu | Pelden Tashichoelling Shedra, Phuentsholing | September |
| Khomshar Kharphu | Khomshar, Zhemgang | September |
| Dankala Mani (Mantra)/Tshechu- | Dankala lhakhang Shaba, Paro | September |
| Shingkhar Rabney | Shingkhar Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang | September |
| Terchen Drupchen | Kichu Lhakhang, Paro | September to October |
| Bum Tashi Festival | Gasa Dzong, Gasa | October |
| Laya Aulay | Laya, Gasa | October |
| Jomolhari Mountain Festival | Jangkothang, Upper Paro | October |
| “Bho-Yak” | Janka-kha at upper valley of Haa. | October |
| Royal Highland Festival | Laya, Gasa | October |
| Jakar Tshechu | Jakar Dzong, Bumthang | October |
| Chukha Tshechu | Chukha Ngedrubtse Dzong, Chukha | October |
| Lanyiri Tshechu | Lanyiri Lhakhang, Dungmin, Pemagatshel | October |
| Ugyencholing Kangsel | Ugyencholing Dzong, Tang, Bumthang | October |
| Tshebar Tshechu | Tshebar Lhakhang, Khar, Pemagatshel | October |
| Goenkar Tsechu | Goenkar, Khoma, Lhuentse | October |
| Dechenphug Tsechu | Dechenphug lhakhang, Thimphu | October |
| Dungmed Tshechu | Dungmed Lhakhang, Dungmin, Pemagatshel | October |
| Pemagatshel Tshechu | Pemagatshel Dzong, Pemagatshel | October |
| Changangkha Lhakhang Tsechu | Changangkha Lhakhang Thimphu | October |
| Tshepami Throngdrel | Ringpung Deyangkha, Paro | October |
| Laya Run | Laya, Gasa | October |
| Jambay Lhakang Drup | Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | October |
| Prakar Duechoe | Prakar Lhakang, Bumthang | October |
| Serzhong Tsechu | Do-Ngag Kuenzangcholing Lhakhang, Serzhong, Sarpang | October |
| Jambay Lhakang Singye Cham | Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | November |
| Panbang Tsechu | Sonamthang Dratshang, zhemgang | November |
| Birth Anniversary Of His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck | November | |
| Black-Necked Crane Festival – | Gangtey Goenpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang. | November |
| Bird Festival | Tingtibi, Zhemgang | November |
| Sumthrang Kangsel | Sumthrang Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang | November |
| Khomshar Katag | Khomshar, Zhemgang | November |
| Yeshey Goenpoi Drupchen/ Festival Of Mahakala | Trongsa Dzong,trongsa | November |
| Mongar Tsechu | Mongar Dzong, Mongar | November |
| Tang Namkhar Rabney | Tang Namkhar Lhakhang, Tang, Bumthang | November |
| Dechenling Tshechu | Dechenling Lhakhang, Dechenling, Pemagatshel | November |
| Menchu Pemaphuendey | Norbugang, Pemagatshel | November |
| Pema Yoeselcholing Goenpa Tsechu | Kencholing, Geog: Shompangkhag, Sarpang | November |
| Geokar Lhakhang Tshechu | Geokar Lhakhang, Yalang, trashi Yangtse | November |
| Doedel Pemacholing Tshechu | Doedel Pemacholing Lhakhang, Ramjar,trashi Yangtse | November |
| Goshing Tsechu | Goshingtrong, Zhemgang | November |
| Phumithang Tsechu | Phumithang Dratshang, Zhemgang | November |
| Gamung Tshechu | Shumar/Gamung, Pemagatshel | November |
| Gongphu Tsechu | Gongphu, Zhemgang | November |
| Buli Tsechu | Buli, Zhemgang | November |
| Khangma Tshechu | Khangma Lhakhang, Yurung, Pemagatshel | November |
| Bjoka Tsechu | Bjokatrong, Zhemgang | November |
| Chojam Rabney | Chojam Lhakahng, Tang, Bumthang | November |
| Ladrong Rabney | Ladrong Lhakhang, Jarey, Lhuentse | November |
| Bonchoed | Trong/Dangkhar, Zhemgang | November |
| Kharphu Bonchoed | Shingkhar, Zhemgang | November |
| Mamung Tsechu | Mamungtrong, Zhemgang | November |
| Tashibi Tsechu | Tashibi, Zhemgang | November |
| Nangla Tsechu | Nangla,trong, Zhemgang | November |
| Bonchoed | Buli/Tali/Kikhar/Nangkhor, Zhemgang | November |
| Thrisa Tsechu | Thrisa, Zhemgang | November |
| Langdurbi Bonchoed | Langdurbi, Zhemgang | November |
| Nga Lhakhang Zhi | Nga Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | November |
| Bardo Kharphu | Bardo, Zhemgang | November |
| Chuzangang Tsechu | Chuzangang Lhakhang, Serzhong, Sarpang | November |
| Shingkhar Tsechu | Shingkhar, Zhemgang | November to December |
| Wamling Tsechu | Wamling, Zhemgang | November to December |
| Pangkhar Choedpa | Pangkhar Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang | December |
| Monpa Festival | Jangbi,trongsa | December |
| Jangchubling Tsechu | Gangzur, Lhuentse | December |
| Druk Wangyel Tshechu | Dochula, Thimphu | December |
| Lomba | Individual House, Haa and Paro | December |
| Dungkar Tshechu | Kurtoe, Lhuentse | December |
| Trongsa Annual Tshechu | Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa | December |
| Lhuentse Dzong (Lhuentse Tshechu): | Gangzur Lhuentse | December |
| Samdrup Jongkhar Annual Tsechu | Samdrup Jongkhar Rabdey | December |
| Kilung Chotpa | Gangzur, Lhuentse | December |
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