Bhutan Festival Experience
Bhutan has almost 200 festivals (or tshechus) each year. These range from small local events in a single village to great celebrations in major monasteries. Attending a festival in Bhutan, such as the Paro Festival is an experience like no other. You’ll have the opportunity to mingle with friendly local people and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of ancient Bhutanese culture.
Time your travel to Bhutan to catch one of our favourite festivals in Bhutan!
We can plan a tour to incorporate one of these festivals for you. They can be used as the basis of a tour or added to another itinerary. Contact us for more information about adding one of these special events into your Bhutan vacation.
In the crisp mountain air, hundreds of local Bhutanese people come together to celebrate their country, their religion, and their unique culture. Their elaborate clothing is the same as has been worn by generations before them, a bloom of colourful brocade and patterned weave. Their smiles are infectious. The energy of the event buzzes with the joy that is ever-present in the Dragon Kingdom.
Bhutan Festivals 2023 & 2024
spring highlights (february, march & April)
Punakha Festival (TsHechu)
2024: 19-21 Feb
2025: 9-11 March
Where: Punakha Dzong
A unique festival that recreates in dramatic fashion a historic battle between the Bhutanese and Tibetan armies that took place in the 17th century. Bhutan was victorious, marking the beginning of a new age of peace and stability for the country.
Goes best with: Spirit of Bhutan Tour or Western Bhutan Walking Holiday
Paro Festival (TsHechu)
2024: 20-24 March
2025: 8-12 April
Where: Rinpung Dzong, Paro
Monks and laypeople perform mesmerising symbolic dances in one of Bhutan's biggest annual festivals. Lasting for five days in the spring, the Paro Tsechu is a joy-filled celebration in the town and a highlight of the year in Bhutan.
Goes best with: Paro Festival Journey and any itinerary in Bhutan
Ura YakChoe
2024: 20-24 April
2025: 9-13 May
Where: Ura Lhakhang, Bumthang
Known for its famous dancing, this colourful festival is held on Ura’s hilltop monastery. A key component of the 3-day proceedings is an ancient Buddhist statue of passed on from the generation to generation. Read more here in our article about Bumthang’s Festivals.
Goes best with: Bhutan Heart & Soul Tour or Central & Western Bhutan Walking Holiday
Read more here in our article about Bumthang’s Festivals.
Domkhar Festival (TsHechu)
2024: 18-20 April
2025: 7-9 May
Where: Chumey, Bumthang
For a very intimate, local experience of Bhutanese festivals, the best place to go is the countryside. Chumey is a tiny village off the beaten track in Bumthang, where you can be immersed in the Bhutanese lifestyle and traditions without the crowds. Read more here in our article about Bumthang’s Festivals.
Goes best with: Bhutan Heart & Soul Tour or Central & Western Bhutan Walking Holiday
Autumn Highlights (September & October)
Wangdue Festival (TsHechu)
2024: 11-13 Sep
2025: 30 Sep - 2 Oct
Where: Wangdue Phodrang
The vibrant colours and sounds of the Tsechu brighten the usually quiet town of Wangdue Phodrang for three days in autumn. See the giant thangka, a sacred Buddhist image, that's only shown once a year at this time.
Goes best with: Spirit of Bhutan Tour or Western Bhutan Walking Holiday
Thimpu Festival (TsHechu)
2024: 12-14 Sep
2025: 2-4 Oct
Where: Thimpu
The Bhutanese capital's biggest festival is a Buddhist extravaganza attended by thousands of people from the neighbouring districts. Monks and laypeople perform sacred religious dances, dressed in elaborate costumes and masks to represent deities from Buddhist lore.
Goes best with: Any tour in Bhutan
Thangbi Mani
2024: 17-19 September
2025: 7-8 October
Where: Chokhor, Bumthang
This colourful village festival can only be reached by foot. Masked dancers perform in the grounds of an ancient monastery founded in 1470. The highlight is the fire blessing (Mewang) ceremony where locals leap over flames to purify themselves. Read more here in our article about Bumthang’s Festivals.
Goes best with: Bhutan Heart & Soul Tour or Central & Western Bhutan Walking Holiday
Gangtey Festival (TsHechu)
2024: 16-18 September
2025: 5-7 October
Where: Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha
The streets fill with colourful prayer flags during this 3-day festival and sacred masked dances are held in the large courtyard of Gangtey Gonpa monastery overlooking the fertile Phobjikha valley.
Goes best with: Bhutan Heart & Soul Tour or Central & Western Bhutan Walking Holiday
Royal Highland Festival
2024: 23-24 October
2024: 23-24 October
Where: Laya
In the remote mountains of northwestern Bhutan, the Laya highland people showcase their unique culture and celebrate the highland lifestyle for two wonderful days. Only accessible by foot, this festival is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see people living the way they have for centuries.
Goes best with: Laya Ghasa Trek, tailor-made tour to Punakha
Jakar Festival (TsHechu)
2024: 10-12 Oct
2025: Jakar 29 oct - 1 Nov
Where: Jakar Dzong, Bumthang
Bumthang, in eastern Bhutan, is the cultural heartland of the country. Jakar Monastery's annual festival is a highlight in the area, a riot of colour and music for three days that enlivens the crowd in the otherwise quiet forested valleys of Bumthang.
Goes best with: Bhutan Heart & Soul Tour or Central & Western Bhutan Walking Holiday
