Bhutan Festivals Calendar 2025 | Travel to Bhutan | Druk Asia

Bhutan Festivals Calendar 2025

Posted on 13/June/2024

Festivals in the Land of the Thunder Dragon are rich and happy expressions of its ancient Buddhist culture. These festivals are held in all districts in honour of Guru Rinpoche, the saint who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century. Tsechus are held on auspicious days and months in the Bhutanese calendar, and last up to four days in which a series of highly stylised masked dance rituals are performed.

Festivals are also a big family and social occasions. People dress up in their finest clothes and most resplendent jewelry of coral and turquoise. They pack picnic lunches in their traditional bamboo baskets and stay all day at the festivals which are usually held in the dzongs (fortresses) or at monasteries.

Behind the scenes, the monks prepare themselves for weeks ahead of the festival, involved in deep prayer and meditation prior to the festival. The monks perform special masked dances that are inspirations of enlightened beings in history; and the Bhutanese believe that watching these mystical dances is essential to gain enlightenment.

bhutan festivals video

All Bhutanese try to attend a festival at least once in a lifetime, and for many, it is an important annual affair where they consider it a blessing to be able to watch the dances. Apart from the monks, community dancers also participate in the local festivals.

The tsechus are a rich form of the oral history tradition where the Bhutanese pass on values, mythology and spiritual beliefs through the dance dramas. Many of the tsechus culminate with a rare display of a giant silk applique thangkha (painting) depicting Guru Padmasambava or some other important Buddhist deity.

People’s deep faith and devotion make these festivals a special occasion. At the same time, it is also an opportunity to join hundreds, and even thousands, of Bhutanese in taking part in an important religious and social occasion that often exudes a carnival atmosphere.

bhutan festivals

What if you can’t catch the festival?

Preparation for the festivals starts weeks before the festival itself. If you are in Bhutan but won’t be able to catch the festival, do visit the Dzong, and you may be able to catch the monks practicing and preparing the material for the festival. This is a great photo opportunity since the materials used for prayer are colourful. This visit can be a meaningful opportunity if you have caught the festival somewhere; you have the chance to see the faces behind the masks and spend time speaking to the monks on the origin and meaning of the festival.

Bhutan Festivals Calendar 2025

SourceTourism Council of Bhutan

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Name Town Start Date End Date
Punakha Drubchen Punakha Mar 06, 2025 Mar 08, 2025
Punakha Tshechu Punakha Mar 09, 2025 Mar 11, 2025
Talo Tshechu Punakha Apr 05, 2025 Apr 07, 2025
Zhemgang Tshechu Zhemgang Apr 05, 2025 Apr 07, 2025
Gasa Tshechu Gasa Apr 05, 2025 Apr 07, 2025
Gom Kora Trashigang Apr 07, 2025 Apr 08, 2025
Paro Tshechu Paro Apr 08, 2025 Apr 12, 2025
Rhododendron Festival Thimphu Apr 22, 2025 Apr 24, 2025
Domkhar Tshechu Bumthang May 07, 2025 May 09, 2025
Ura Yakchoe Bumthang May 09, 2025 May 13, 2025
Nimalung Tshechu Bumthang Jul 03, 2025 Jul 05, 2025
Kurjey Tshechu Bumthang Jul 05, 2025
Thimphu Drubchen Thimphu Sep 28, 2025
Wangdue Tshechu Wangdue Phodrang Sep 30, 2025 Oct 02, 2025
Thimphu Tshechu Thimphu Oct 02, 2025 Oct 04, 2025
Gangtey Tshechu Wangdue Phodrang Oct 05, 2025 Oct 07, 2025
Jhomolhari Mountain Festival Thimphu Oct 14, 2025 Oct 15, 2025
Jakar Tshechu Bumthang Oct 29, 2025 Nov 01, 2025
Chhukha Tshechu Chukha Oct 29, 2025 Oct 31, 2025
Pemagatshel Tshechu Pemagatshel Oct 29, 2025 Nov 02, 2025
Dechenphu Tshechu Thimphu Oct 31, 2025
Jambay Lhakhang Drup Bumthang Nov 05, 2025 Nov 08, 2025
Prakhar Duchhoed Bumthang Nov 06, 2025 Nov 08, 2025
Black Necked Crane Festival Wangdue Phodrang Nov 11, 2025
Mongar Tshechu Mongar Nov 28, 2025 Nov 30, 2025
Trashigang Tshechu Trashigang Nov 29, 2025 Dec 01, 2025
Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham Bumthang Dec 04, 2025
Nalakhar Tshechu Bumthang Dec 04, 2025 Dec 06, 2025
Druk Wangyel Tshechu Thimphu Dec 13, 2025
Trongsa Tshechu Trongsa Dec 27, 2025 Dec 31, 2025
Legend
Festival
Public Holiday
Exhibition
Film
Others

Planning to travel to Bhutan during a festival?

On popular dates of travel such as during festival time, flight tickets tend to get fully reserved 5 months prior. Due to limited flight and seats available, we recommend you to reserve your ticket as early as possible. You can reserve your ticket for free with us and plan your trip to Bhutan with a peace of mind knowing that you will have a spot on your flight to Bhutan.


 

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