Bhutan is the only country in the world where Vajrayana Buddhism is still actively practiced. The Bhutanese regard their mountains as guardian deities and consider the mountain lakes and cliffs as sacred dwellings of Buddhist gods.
Referred to as “the land of the Thunder Dragon,” Bhutan is rich in cultural heritage and is known for its vibrant and colorful festivals. These festivals are held in honor of Guru Rinpoche and primarily aim to bring joy and contentment. Featuring spiritual music, colorful wooden masks, brocade costumes, and mesmerizing dances, Bhutanese festivals are truly remarkable.
The dates of Bhutan’s festivals provide an unparalleled opportunity to experience the country’s lively celebrations, understand its culture, and engage with the Bhutanese people. Bhutan tours during these festivals allow visitors to witness mystical dances accompanied by soothing music and to celebrate happiness in the Happiest Country in Asia.
Bhutan Festivals Calendar 2024
| Festival | Place | Dates |
| Punakha Drubchen | Punakha Dzong, Punakha | 16th – 18th February |
| Punakha Tshechu | Punakha Dzong, Punakha | 19th – 21st February |
| Tharpaling Thongdrol | Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chumi, Bumthang | 24th February |
| Gomphukora | Gom Kora Lhakhang, Trashigang | 17th – 19th March |
| Tangsibi Mani | Tangsibi Lhakhang, Ura Bumthang | 25th – 27th February |
| Talo Tshechu | Talo Gonpa, Punakha | 17th – 19th March |
| Gasa Tshechu | Gasa Dzong, Gasa | 17th – 19th March |
| Zhemgang Tshechu | Zhemgang Dzong, Zhemgang | 17th – 19th March |
| Paro Tshechu | Rinpung Dzong, Paro | 21th – 25th March (Thongdral on last day) |
| Chhorten Kora | Chorten Kora, Trashiyangtshe | 25th March & 08th April |
| Rhododendron Festival | Lamperi Botanical Park, Thimphu | 13th – 14th April |
| Domkhar Tshechu | Domkhar, Chumi, Bumthang. | 18th – 20th April |
| Ura Yakchoe | Ura Lhakhang, Bumthang | 20th – 24th April |
| Nimalung Tshechu | Nimalung Dratshang, Chumi, Bumthang | 14th – 16th June |
| Kurjey Tshechu | Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 16th June |
| Tour of the Dragon (Mountain Bike Race) | Bumthang to Thimphu | 02nd September |
| Thimphu Drubchen | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu | 9th September |
| Wangdue Tshechu | Wangdue Phodrang. | 11th – 13th September |
| Pemagatshel Tshechu | Pemagatshel Dzong, Pemagatshel. | 09th – 11th November (Thongdral on last day) |
| Tamshing Phala Chhoepa | Tamshing Lhakhang, Bumthang | 13th – 15th September |
| Thimphu Tshechu | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu | 13th – 15th September |
| Gangtey Tshechu | Gangtey Gonpa, Wangduephodrang | 16th – 18th September (Thongdral on last day) |
| Jhomolhari Mountain Festival | Dangochong, Thimphu | 14th – 15th October |
| Chhukha Tshechu | Chhukha Dzong, Chhukha | 09th – 11th November |
| Jakar Tshechu | Jakar Dzong, Choekhor, Bumthang. | 10th – 12th November |
| Jambay Lhakhang Drup | Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 15th – 18th November |
| Prakhar Duchhoed | Prakar Khakhang, Chumni, Bumthang | 16th – 18st November |
| Dechenphu Tshechu | Dechenphu Lhakhang, Thimphu | 11th November |
| Black Necked Crane Festival | Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang. | 11th November |
| Mongar Tshechu | Mongar Dzong, Mongar | 08th – 10th December |
| Trashigang Tshechu | Trashigang Dzong, Trashigang. | 09th – 11th December |
| Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham | Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 15th December |
| Phuntsholing Tshechu | Phuntsholing, Chhukha | 08th – 10th December |
| Druk Wangyel Tshechu | Douchula, Thimphu | 13th December |
| Nalakhar Tshechu | Ngaa Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 15th – 17th December |
| Nabji Lhakhang Drup | Nabji Lhakhang, Nabji, Trongsa | 15th – 16th December |
| Trongsa Tshechu | Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa | 09th – 11th Jan 2025 |
| Lhuentse Tshechu | Lhuentse Dzong, Lhuentse | 08th – 10th Jan 2025 |
| Samdrupjongkhar Tshechu | Samdrup Jongkhar | 11th – 13th Jan 2025 |
Bhutan Festivals Calendar 2025
| Festival | Place | Dates |
| Punakha Drubchen | Punakha Dzong, Punakha | 6th – 8th March |
| Punakha Tshechu | Punakha Dzong, Punakha | 9th – 11th March |
| Tharpaling Thongdrol | Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chumi, Bumthang | 14th March |
| Tangsibi Mani | Tangsibi Lhakhang, Ura Bumthang | 15th – 17th March |
| Chhorten Kora | Chorten Kora, Trashiyangtshe | 14th March & 29th March |
| Gomphukora | Gom Kora Lhakhang, Trashigang | 5th – 7th April |
| Talo Tshechu | Talo Gonpa, Punakha | 5th – 7th April |
| Gasa Tshechu | Gasa Dzong, Gasa | 5th – 7th April |
| Zhemgang Tshechu | Zhemgang Dzong, Zhemgang | 5th – 7th April |
| Paro Tshechu | Rinpung Dzong, Paro | 08th – 12th April (Thongdral on last day) |
| Rhododendron Festival | Lamperi Botanical Park, Thimphu | 22nd – 24th April |
| Domkhar Tshechu | Domkhar, Chumi, Bumthang. | 7th – 9th May |
| Ura Yakchoe | Ura Lhakhang, Bumthang | 9th – 13th May |
| Nimalung Tshechu | Nimalung Dratshang, Chumi, Bumthang | 3rd – 5th July |
| I) Tour of the Dragon ii) Dragons Fury (Mountain Bike Race) | I) Bumthang to Thimphu ii) Lobesa to Thiphu | 6th September* |
| Thimphu Drubchen | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu | 28th September |
| Wangdue Tshechu | Wangduephodrang | 30th September 1st – 2nd October |
| Tamshing Phala Chhoepa | Tamshing Lhakhang, Bumthang | 2nd – 4th October |
| Thimphu Tshechu | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu | 2nd – 4th October |
| Gangtey Tshechu | Gangtey Gonpa, Wangduephodrang | 5th – 7th October |
| Thangbi Mewang | Thangbi Lhakhang, Choekor, Bumthang | 7th – 8th October |
| Pemagatshel Tshechu | Pemagatshel Dzong, Pemagatshel. | 29th – 31st October 1st November |
| Jhomolhari Mountain Festival | Dangochong, Thimphu | 14th – 15th October |
| Chhukha Tshechu | Chhukha Dzong, Chhukha | 29th – 31st October |
| Dechenphu Tshechu | Dechenphu Lhakhang, Thimphu | 31st October |
| Jakar Tshechu | Jakar Dzong, Choekhor, Bumthang. | 29th – 31st October1st November |
| Jambay Lhakhang Drup | Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 5th – 8th November |
| Prakhar Duchhoed | Prakar Khakhang, Chumni, Bumthang | 6th – 9th November |
| Black Necked Crane Festival | Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang | 11th November |
| Mongar Tshechu | Mongar Dzong, Mongar | 28th – 30th November |
| Trashigang Tshechu | Trashigang Dzong, Trashigang. | 29th – 30st November 1st December |
| PhuntsholingTshechu | Phuntsholing, Chhukha | 28th – 30th November |
| Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham | Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 4th December |
| Nalakhar Tshechu | Ngaa Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 4th – 6th December |
| Druk Wangyel Tshechu | Douchula, Thimphu | 13th December |
| Trongsa Tshechu | Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa | 27th – 31st December (Thongdral on last day) |
| Lhuentse Tshechu | Lhuentse Dzong, Lhuentse | 27th – 31st December (Thongdral on last day) |
| Samdrupjongkhar Tshechu | Samdrupjongkhar | 1st – 3rd January 2026 |
| Nabji Lhakhang Drup | Nabji Lhakhang, Nabji, Trongsa | 3rd – 5th January 2026 |
