Festivals are the heartbeat of the Bhutanese year — joyful, sacred, and open to visitors who come with respect.
What is a tshechu?
Tshechus are religious festivals held in honour of Guru Rinpoche, who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century. Over several days monks and laymen perform cham — sacred masked dances that tell stories of the Dharma — while whole communities gather in their finest clothes. Watching them is believed to bring blessings.
Highlights
- Atsaras, the masked jesters who entertain the crowd and keep order
- The thongdrel — a giant embroidered thangka unveiled at dawn on the final day of some festivals
- Mewang fire blessings at festivals such as Jambay Lhakhang Drup
- Picnics, markets and reunions around the dzong
Festival etiquette
- Dress modestly — or better, wear a gho or kira
- Don't block views or walk across the dance ground
- Ask before photographing people; never use flash during dances
- Follow your guide's lead on where to sit and stand
Festival calendar 2027
Tentative dates from the Department of Tourism, Bhutan — tentative festival dates for 2027 (updated 14 February 2025). Dates follow the lunar calendar and can change; we confirm them when you book. Festivals we run dedicated journeys for are highlighted.
| Dates | Festival | Where |
|---|---|---|
| February 2027 | ||
| 11–13 Feb | Lhamoi DromchhenTrongsa Dzong, Trongsa | Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa |
| 13–15 Feb | Punakha DromchoePunakha Dzong, Punakha | Punakha Dzong, Punakha |
| 16–18 Feb | Punakha TshechuPunakha Dzong, Punakha | Punakha Dzong, Punakha |
| 20 Feb | Tharpaling ThongdrolTharpaling Lhakhang, Chumi, Bumthang | Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chumi, Bumthang |
| 22–24 Feb | Tangsibi ManiTangsibi Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang | Tangsibi Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang |
| 20 Feb | Chhorten KoraChorten Kora, Trashiyangtse | Chorten Kora, Trashiyangtse |
| March 2027 | ||
| 8 Mar | Chhorten KoraChorten Kora, Trashiyangtse | Chorten Kora, Trashiyangtse |
| 16–18 Mar | GomphukoraGom Kora Lhakhang, Trashiyangtse | Gom Kora Lhakhang, Trashiyangtse |
| 16–18 Mar | Talo TshechuTalo Gonpa, Punakha | Talo Gonpa, Punakha |
| 16–18 Mar | Gasa TshechuGasa Dzong, Gasa | Gasa Dzong, Gasa |
| 16–18 Mar | Zhemgang TshechuZhemgang Dzong, Zhemgang | Zhemgang Dzong, Zhemgang |
| 18–22 Mar | Paro TshechuRinpung Dzong, ParoThongdrel on the last dayOur Paro Tshechu journey → | Rinpung Dzong, Paro |
| April 2027 | ||
| 3–9 Apr | Rhododendron WeekShetemey, Merak, Trashigang | Shetemey, Merak, Trashigang |
| 16–18 Apr | Domkhar TshechuDomkhar, Chumi, Bumthang | Domkhar, Chumi, Bumthang |
| 18–22 Apr | Ura YakchoeUra Lhakhang, Bumthang | Ura Lhakhang, Bumthang |
| 22–23 Apr | Rhododendron FestivalLamperi Botanical Park, Thimphu | Lamperi Botanical Park, Thimphu |
| June 2027 | ||
| 12–14 Jun | Nimalung TshechuNimalung Dratshang, Chumi, Bumthang | Nimalung Dratshang, Chumi, Bumthang |
| 14 Jun | Kurjey TshechuKurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang |
| September 2027 | ||
| 5 Sep | Tour of the Dragon (mountain bike race)Bumthang to ThimphuOur The Dragon Route: Bumthang to Thimphu journey → | Bumthang to Thimphu |
| October 2027 | ||
| 5 Oct | Thimphu DrubchenTashi Chhodzong, Thimphu | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu |
| 8–10 Oct | Wangdue TshechuWangduephodrang | Wangduephodrang |
| 10–12 Oct | Tamshing Phala ChhoepaTamshing Lhakhang, Bumthang | Tamshing Lhakhang, Bumthang |
| 10–12 Oct | Thimphu TshechuTashi Chhodzong, ThimphuOur Thimphu Tshechu journey → | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu |
| 13–15 Oct | Gangtey TshechuGangtey Gonpa, WangduephodrangThongdrel on the last day | Gangtey Gonpa, Wangduephodrang |
| 14–15 Oct | Jhomolhari Mountain FestivalDangochong, Thimphu | Dangochong, Thimphu |
| 15–16 Oct | Thangbi MewangThangbi Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | Thangbi Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang |
| November 2027 | ||
| 6–9 Nov | Pemagatshel TshechuPemagatshel Dzong, PemagatshelThongdrel on the last day | Pemagatshel Dzong, Pemagatshel |
| 6–8 Nov | Chhukha TshechuChhukha Dzong, Chhukha | Chhukha Dzong, Chhukha |
| 6–8 Nov | Haa TshechuLhakhang Karpo, HaaListed among October festivals in the source — please confirm | Lhakhang Karpo, Haa |
| 6–9 Nov | Jakar TshechuJakar Dzong, Choekhor, Bumthang | Jakar Dzong, Choekhor, Bumthang |
| 8 Nov | Dechenphu TshechuDechenphu Lhakhang, Thimphu | Dechenphu Lhakhang, Thimphu |
| 11 Nov | Black-Necked Crane FestivalGangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, WangduephodrangOur Black-Necked Crane Festival journey → | Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang |
| 14–17 Nov | Jambay Lhakhang DrupJambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, BumthangOur Jambay Lhakhang Drup journey → | Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang |
| 15–17 Nov | Prakhar DuchhoedPrakar Lhakhang, Chumi, Bumthang | Prakar Lhakhang, Chumi, Bumthang |
| December 2027 | ||
| 3–5 Dec | Goenpai DrupchenTrongsa Dzong, Trongsa | Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa |
| 6–8 Dec | Mongar TshechuMongar Dzong, Mongar | Mongar Dzong, Mongar |
| 6–8 Dec | Phuntsholing TshechuPhuntsholing, Chhukha | Phuntsholing, Chhukha |
| 7–9 Dec | Trashigang TshechuTrashigang Dzong, Trashigang | Trashigang Dzong, Trashigang |
| 13 Dec | Jambay Lhakhang Singye ChamJambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang |
| 13–15 Dec | Nalakhar TshechuNgaa Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | Ngaa Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang |
| 13 Dec | Druk Wangyel TshechuDochula, Thimphu | Dochula, Thimphu |
| January 2028 | ||
| 5–9 Jan | Trongsa TshechuTrongsa Dzong, TrongsaThongdrel on the last day | Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa |
| 5–9 Jan | Lhuentse TshechuLhuentse Dzong, LhuentseThongdrel on the last day | Lhuentse Dzong, Lhuentse |
| 10–12 Jan | Samdrupjongkhar TshechuSamdrupjongkhar | Samdrupjongkhar |
| 12–14 Jan | Nabji Lhakhang DrupNabji Lhakhang, Nabji, Trongsa | Nabji Lhakhang, Nabji, Trongsa |
Regulations and fees change from time to time; we always confirm the latest details in your quotation.
Header photo: David Broad, CC BY 3.0
