Bhutan Festival Calendar
Tshechus & sacred festivals — 2026 & 2027 dates, locations, and what to expect at each celebration.
Upcoming Tshechus & Sacred Festivals
Bhutan’s festivals (Tshechus) are held on auspicious days of the Bhutanese lunar calendar, so exact dates are set annually by the government and monastic body. The table below reflects the most recently published dates — we recommend confirming exact dates with us before booking flights.
💡 Tip: swipe left/right on the table if you’re on a phone.
| Date | Festival | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19–21 Sep 2026 | Haa Summer Festival | Haa Valley | Nomadic highland culture, yak-herding demos, folk songs & highland cuisine. |
| 21–23 Sep 2026 | Thimphu Tshechu | Tashichho Dzong, Thimphu | Bhutan's largest festival — three days of elaborate masked Cham dances. |
| 21–23 Sep 2026 | Tamshing Tshechu | Tamshing Lhakhang, Bumthang | Intimate festival at a 16th-century temple founded by Pema Lingpa. |
| 22–24 Sep 2026 | Wangdue Tshechu | Wangdue Phodrang Dzong | Known for the rare Raksha Mangcham (dance of the ox). |
| 24–26 Sep 2026 | Gangtey Tshechu | Gangtey Monastery, Phobjikha | The only Nyingma monastery tshechu, set in the crane valley. |
| 18–21 Oct 2026 | Jakar Tshechu | Jakar Dzong, Bumthang | Vibrant four-day festival drawing crowds from across Bumthang. |
| 18–21 Oct 2026 | Pemagatshel Tshechu | Pemagatshel Dzong | A more local, less-touristed eastern Bhutan tshechu. |
| 26–29 Oct 2026 | Jambay Lhakhang Drup | Jambay Lhakhang, Bumthang | Famous for the Mewang fire ceremony and midnight Tercham dance. |
| 11 Nov 2026 | Black-Necked Crane Festival | Gangtey Monastery, Phobjikha | Conservation festival timed to the cranes' winter migration. |
| 16–18 Feb 2027 | Punakha Drubchen & Tshechu | Punakha Dzong | Battle re-enactment followed by one of Bhutan's most spectacular tshechus. |
| 20 Feb 2027 | Chorten Kora Festival | Trashiyangtse | Pilgrimage festival at a chorten modeled on Nepal's Boudhanath stupa. |
| 16–18 Mar 2027 | Talo Tshechu | Talo Monastery, Punakha | Village festival on a ridge above the Punakha valley. |
| 18–22 Mar 2027 | Paro Tshechu | Rinpung Dzong, Paro | Culminates in the pre-dawn unfurling of the giant Guru Thongdrel. |
| 18–22 Apr 2027 | Ura Yakchoe | Ura Village, Bumthang | Rare village festival parading a sacred celestial relic. |
Want to Time Your Trip to a Festival?
We’ll help you build an itinerary around the tshechu that fits your travel dates, with confirmed local availability.
