Bhutan Festival Dates 2025 - Complete Calendar with Venues & Insights
Bhutan rests in the Himalayan Kingdom and is called the "Land of the Thunder Dragon." The area is pure and filled with natural beauty, peaceful monasteries and a strong spiritual history. From snow-capped peaks to lush valleys, every area of Bhutan is sacred. One of the best ways to experience its culture is to immerse yourself in the colourful local festivals held throughout the country, known as Tshechu, which is a public celebration of masked dances, traditional music and religious rituals and brings communities together on occasions of celebration.
Use this calendar to plan your trip around Bhutan's most captivating festivals.
These festivals serve as the window into Bhutanese cultural values, its ancient history and local lifestyle. The Locals dress themselves in beautiful traditional attire while celebrating the festivals with devotion and elation. Each event is steeped in meaning, whether you are watching the grand Thongdrel being unfurled in Paro or witnessing the warrior dances in Punakha. Travellers who wish to experience memorable ventures and truly connect with Bhutan's life should attend the marvellous Tsechus hosted by the warm locals.
Bhutan Festival Calendar 2025
Plan your journey with this month-wise Bhutan Festival Calendar 2025, covering major cultural celebrations across the country. Curated by RS Travels, your trusted Bhutan tour expert
| Month | Date | Festival | Place | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Jan | 9th-11th | Trongsa Tshechu | Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa | This vibrant celebration commemorates Bhutanese culture in the form of masked dances in vibrant hues, uniting the masses in the central part of the country. |
| 8th-10th | Lhuentse Tshechu | Lhuentse Dzong, Lhuentse | Held in the distant east, it is a celebration of traditional means and a glimpse into the nation's spiritual heritage. | |
| 11th-13th | Samdrupjongkhar Tshechu | Samdrupjongkhar | This celebratory event marks the local community's devotion and pleasure in the form of ritual dances and ceremonies. | |
 March | 6th-8th | Punakha Drubchen | Punakha Dzong, Punakha | A powerful re-enactment of the historic battle showcases the bravery of the local military. |
| 9th-11th | Punakha Tshechu | Punakha Dzong, Punakha | It takes place in a stunning valley, and it's a celebratory day where the people go to indulge in their faith and culture. | |
| 14th | Tharpaling Thongdrol | Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chumi, Bumthang | A sacred unrolling of a gigantic religious thangka fills hearts with blessings and serenity. | |
| 15th-17th | Tangsibi Mani | Tangsibi Lhakhang, Ura Bumthang | A festival of faithfulness through traditional prayers and group harmony. | |
| 14th & 29th | Chhorten Kora | Chorten Kora, Trashiyangtshe | A one-of-a-kind fest where people walk in a circular motion around a religious stupa, praying for blessings and fortune. | |
 April | 3rd-9th | Rhododendron Week | Merak and Sakteng Region, Trashigang | A celebration ritual of nature's splendour as rhododendrons burst with colours for thousands of blooming flowers. |
| 5th-7th | Gomphukora | Gom Kora Lhakhang, Trashigang | A colourful celebration of faith and gratitude in a picturesque setting. | |
| Talo Tshechu | Talo Gonpa, Punakha | A celebrative gathering at the scenic Talo village, featuring ancient dances and religious ceremonies. | ||
| Gasa Tshechu | Gasa Dzong, Gasa | A winter festival where the natives rejoice in the spirits of nature with vibrant masked dances. | ||
| Zhemgang Tshechu | Zhemgang Dzong, Zhemgang | A joyous event that brings people together with sacred performances. | ||
| 7th-9th | Spring Festival | Yangthang Ground, Haa | The festivity marks the birth of new life and growth, a time for hope and revival. | |
| 8th-12th | Paro Tshechu | Rinpung Dzong, Paro | One of Bhutan's largest festivals, where theatrical mask dances breathe life into myths and history. | |
| 13th-14th | Rhododendron Festival | Lamperi Botanical Park, Thimphu | A festive celebration of Bhutan's rich flora, and a call to witness the beauty of nature. | |
 May | 7th-9th | Domkhar Tshechu | Domkhar, Chumi, Bumthang | A religious festival fostering harmony and respect in a small town. |
| 9th-13th | Ura Yakchoe | Ura Lhakhang, Bumthang | A unique celebration involving elaborate dances that retell ancient stories of heroism and spirituality. | |
 July | 3rd-5th | Nimalung Tshechu | Nimalung Dratshang, Chumi, Bumthang | Revelry in traditional manners with colourful costumes and well-established rituals. |
| 5th | Kurjey Tshechu | Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | Celebrated at a sacred monastery, a festival in reverence and grandeur pays tribute to the memory of Guru Rinpoche. | |
 August | 23rd-24th | Matsutake Mushroom Festival | Ura, Bumthang | A lighthearted, community-oriented celebration of the much sought-after wild mushroom season. |
 September | 28th | Thimphu Drubchen | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu | A dramatic re-enactment of Bhutan's victory over evil, with courage and strength. |
| 30th Sept - 2nd Oct | Wangdue Tshechu | Wangduephodrang | A joyous celebration that brings the people together with colourful dances and shared joy. | |
 October | 29th-31st | Haa Annual Tshechu | Haa | Located in a peaceful valley, the festival honours ancient rituals and communal living. |
| 2nd-4th | Tamshing Phala Chhoepa | Tamshing Lhakhang, Bumthang | The harvest festival that honours nature's bounty and the cycle of life. | |
| 2nd-4th | Thimphu Tshechu | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu | The capital's grand festival, with tradition merged with the colour and excitement of a modern Bhutan. | |
| 5th-7th | Gangtey Tshechu | Gangtey Gonpa, Wangduephodrang | Celebrated in a remote valley, it preserves ancient dances and evokes deep spiritual bonding. | |
| 7th-8th | Thangbi Mewang | Thangbi Lhakhang, Choekor | A cultural festival of Bhutanese arts and local pride. | |
| 29th Oct - 1st Nov | Pemagatshel Tshechu | Pemagatshel Dzong, Pemagatshel | A festive display of beliefs, bringing communities together through dance and ritual. | |
| 14th-15th | Jhomolhari Mountain Festival | Dangochong, Thimphu | A tribute to the majestic Jhomolhari mountain, the festival blurs nature worship with cultural pride. | |
| 23rd - 24th | Royal Highland Festival | Laya, Gasa | A kaleidoscopic celebration of Bhutan's multicultural highland ways and traditions. | |
| 29th - 31st | Chhukha Tshechu | Chhukha Dzong, Chhukha | A vibrant fiesta in which godly dances stimulate devotion and confirm Bhutanese identity. | |
| 31st | Dechenphu Tshechu | Dechenphu Lhakhang, Thimphu | A joyous event that maintains ancient traditions and community warmth. | |
| 29th Oct - 1st Nov | Jakar Tshechu | Jakar Dzong, Choekhor, Bumthang | A gem festival in Bumthang valley reaffirms local myths through mask dances. | |
 November | 1st | Ap Chundu Lhasel | Jangkakha, Haa | A vibrant festival indicating religious zeal with festive performances. |
| 5th - 8th | Jambay Lhakhang Drup | Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | Bhutan's ancient festival that commemorates the spiritual cleansing of evil spirits by divine dances | |
| 6th - 8th | Prakhar Duchhoed | Prakar Khakhang, Chumni, Bumthang | A unique dance festival that announces the Bhutanese heroes' valour. | |
| 11th | Black Necked Crane Festival | Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang | Celebrating the beautiful visitation of a rare bird, the festival honours nature's wonder and conservation. | |
| 13th - 14th | Bhutan Bird Festival | Tingtibi, Zhemgang | A festive celebration of education regarding Bhutan's avifaunal diversity and habitats. | |
| 28th - 30th | Mongar Tshechu | Mongar Dzong, Mongar | A vibrant festival that strengthens communal unity through traditional dances and rituals. | |
| 29th Nov - 1st Dec | Trashigang Tshechu | Trashigang Dzong, Trashigang | A grand celebration in eastern Bhutan, replete with sacred dances and celebrations. | |
| 28th -30th | Phuentsholing Tshechu | Phuentsholing, Chhukha | A celebration of cultural heritage in a bustling border town, it blends old and new Bhutan. | |
| 30th | Rongtse Nye Tshechu | Rongtse Nye, Sangbaykha Dungkhag, Haa | A less renowned but spiritually potent celebration of local deities and traditions. | |
 December | Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham | Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | A fearsome dance festival invokes blessings and protects the people. | |
| 4th - 6th | Nalakhar Tshechu | Ngaa Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | A vibrant festival that foregrounds Bhutanese mythology in remarkable performances. | |
| 13th | Druk Wangyel Tshechu | Douchula, Thimphu | A modern festival celebrating Bhutan's unique identity and rich heritage. | |
| 27th - 31st (Thongdral on last day) | Trongsa Tshechu | Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa | This grand festival in the spiritual heart of Bhutan unites locals and visitors alike through dramatic mask dances that honour Buddhist teachings and celebrate the region's rich history. | |
| 27th - 31st (Thongdral on last day) | Lhuentse Tshechu | Lhuentse Dzong, Lhuentse | Set in one of Bhutan's most remote districts, this festival offers a rare and intimate glimpse into centuries-old rituals and dances that preserve the area's unique cultural identity. |
Disclaimer
This festival calendar is based on the tentative 2026 schedule shared by ABTO and is subject to change. We've also added a few FAQs and insights of our own to help travelers plan better. Please refer to official sources for the most accurate updates.