Festivals follow the Bhutanese lunar calendar. Dates below are published by the Department of Tourism and marked tentative until confirmed.
A Tshechu (“tenth day”) honours Guru Rinpoche, who brought Buddhism to Bhutan. Communities gather for days of cham dances performed by monks and laymen in elaborate brocade costumes and masks. Watching the dances is believed to bring blessings and wash away misfortune.
Held every year on 11 November to celebrate the arrival of the endangered black-necked cranes, with crane dances by local schoolchildren, folk songs and masked dances.
The Dromchoe re-enacts the 17th-century victory over Tibetan invaders with a pageant of pazaps (warriors), followed by the Punakha Tshechu with sacred masked dances.
Pilgrims from eastern Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh circumambulate the sacred rock of Gom Kora through the night.
Western Bhutan’s grandest festival, ending with the dawn unveiling of a giant thongdrel of Guru Rinpoche.
An intimate village festival where a sacred relic is carried from house to house and displayed to bless the community.
Celebrating the 40+ species of rhododendron in bloom in Royal Botanical Park, with local food, crafts and cultural shows.
A one-day festival honouring Guru Rinpoche at the temple holding his body imprint, including a large thongdrel display.
Held in the newly restored dzong, famous for the Raksha Mangcham (Dance of the Ox) and the final-day thongdrel.
The capital’s biggest festival, drawing thousands to the courtyard of Tashichho Dzong for three days of cham dances.
A highland festival celebrating the culture of yak herders and the conservation of the snow leopard, reached on the Jomolhari trek.
One of Bhutan’s most spectacular festivals, famous for the midnight Mewang fire blessing and the naked dance Tercham.
Eastern Bhutan’s colourful dzong festival, attended mostly by local villagers — an authentic, uncrowded Tshechu experience.
Held in the courtyard of the 1659 Trashigang Dzong, drawing Sharchop and Brokpa communities from across the east.
Festival Tours
Experience western Bhutan’s grandest festival, including the dawn unveiling of a giant sacred thangka at Rinpung Dzong.
Nature & Wildlife
Join the village festival held every 11 November at Gangtey Goenpa to welcome the endangered black-necked cranes.
Festival hotels fill early. Tell us which celebration interests you and we will build an itinerary around the dates.
