BHUTAN FESTIVAL CALENDAR 2026

Tentative & widely recognised major cultural celebrations

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FEBRUARY – MARCH

Lhamoi Dromchhen
Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa
22 – 24 February 2026
One of the first significant spiritual celebrations of the year, blending local rites with community gatherings.

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Punakha Dromchoe
Punakha Dzong, Punakha
24 – 26 February 2026
A time of prayer and gratitude, held in one of Bhutan’s oldest capitals.

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Punakha Tshechu
Punakha Dzong, Punakha
27 February – 1 March 2026
Featuring sacred mask dances and traditional rituals that draw visitors and locals alike. 

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Tharpaling Thongdrol
Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chumi, Bumthang
3 March 2026
A special unfurling of a sacred thongdrol (large tapestry), believed to bring blessings to all who see it.

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Tangsibi Mani Festival
Tangsibi Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang
4 – 6 March 2026
A celebration of devotional chanting and the sacred mani mantra, held in a serene highland setting. 

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Chhorten Kora Festival
Chorten Kora, Trashiyangtshe
3 March & 19 March 2026
Twice celebrated during the season, this festival highlights the revered sacred stupa, with local tribute and prayer rituals. 

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MARCH – APRIL

Gomphukora Festival
Gom Kora Lhakhang, Trashiyangtshe
26 – 28 March 2026
A deeply spiritual festival where pilgrims walk around the sacred site and participate in traditional mask dances.

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Talo Tshechu
Talo Gonpa, Punakha
26 – 28 March 2026
A local celebration featuring traditional dances and devotional performances in a peaceful hilltop monastery.

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Gasa Tshechu
Gasa Dzong, Gasa
26 – 28 March 2026

Known for its powerful cultural performances and the warm hospitality of the Gasa region.

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Zhemgang Tshechu
Zhemgang Dzong, Zhemgang
26 – 28 March 2026
A traditional festival celebrated by hill communities with sacred mask dances and local rituals. 

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Paro Tshechu
Rinpung Dzong, Paro
29 March – 2 April 2026
One of Bhutan’s most spectacular tshechus with colorful mask dances and the famed thongdrol unveiling on the final day. 

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Rhododendron Festival
Lamperi Botanical Park, Thimphu
13 – 14 April 2026
A celebration of Bhutan’s national flower, combining nature appreciation with cultural programs. 

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APRIL – MAY

Domkhar Tshechu
Domkhar, Chumi, Bumthang
26 – 28 April 2026
Held in Central Bhutan, this festival features sacred dances and offers insights into local traditions. 

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Ura Yakchoe Festival
Ura Lhakhang, Bumthang
28 April – 2 May 2026
A vibrant, joyful celebration combining prayers, mask dances, and communal spirit. 

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JUNE

Nimalung Tshechu
Nimalung Dratshang, Chumi, Bumthang
22 – 24 June 2026
A festival known for its peaceful setting and authentic regional traditions. 

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Kurjey Tshechu
Kurjey Lhakhang, Bumthang
24 June 2026
A deeply revered festival celebrating local religious heritage at one of Bhutan’s most important temples. 

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SEPTEMBER

Tour of the Dragon (Mountain Bike Race)
Bumthang to Thimphu
5 September 2026
Not a religious festival, but one of the world’s toughest mountain races and a major cultural sporting event. 

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Thimphu Drubchen
Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu
17 September 2026
An important spiritual celebration featuring traditional performances and rituals. 

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Haa Tshechu
Lhakhang Karpo, Haa
19 – 21 September 2026
A local tshechu with vibrant dances and community gatherings. 

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Wangdue Tshechu
Wangduephodrang
19 – 21 September 2026
A colorful celebration with sacred mask dances and cultural ceremonies. 

 

Tamshing Phala Chhoepa
Tamshing Lhakhang, Bumthang
21 – 23 September 2026
A festival marking the end of the monsoon and celebration of blessings. 

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Thimphu Tshechu
Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu
21 – 23 September 2026
One of Bhutan’s most famous and widely attended festivals featuring sacred dances. 

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Gangtey Tshechu
Gangtey Gonpa, Wangduephodrang
24 – 26 September 2026
Thongdrel unfurled on the final day

A serene and spiritually uplifting festival set in the beautiful Phobjikha Valley, known for its calm atmosphere and sacred mask dances.

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Thangbi Mewang
Thangbi Lhakhang, Choekor, Bumthang
26 – 27 September 2026

A unique fire ritual festival celebrated in central Bhutan, symbolizing purification and protection.

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OCTOBER

Jhomolhari Mountain Festival
Dangochong, Thimphu
14 – 15 October 2026

A celebration of mountain culture, highland traditions, and conservation, set against the dramatic Himalayan landscape.

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Pemagatshel Tshechu
Pemagatshel Dzong
18 – 21 October 2026
Thongdrel unfurled on the final day

A vibrant eastern Bhutan festival showcasing sacred mask dances and regional traditions.

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Jakar Tshechu
Jakar Dzong, Bumthang
18 – 21 October 2026

One of Bumthang’s most important festivals, blending deep spiritual significance with local cultural performances.

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Chhukha Tshechu
Chhukha Dzong
19 – 21 October 2026

A regional festival celebrated with devotion, mask dances, and community gatherings.

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Dechenphu Tshechu
Dechenphu Lhakhang, Thimphu
21 October 2026

A one-day sacred festival held at a revered monastery dedicated to protective deities.

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Jambay Lhakhang Drup
Jambay Lhakhang, Bumthang
26 – 29 October 2026

One of Bhutan’s most sacred festivals, famous for its fire rituals and deeply spiritual atmosphere.

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Traakar Duchhoed
Traakar Lhakhang, Bumthang
27 – 29 October 2026

A lesser-known but spiritually significant festival held at a sacred cliffside temple.

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NOVEMBER

Black-Necked Crane Festival
Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha
11 November 2026

A special cultural celebration welcoming the arrival of the endangered black-necked cranes to the Phobjikha Valley.

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Goenpai Drupchen
Trongsa Dzong
14 – 16 November 2026

A spiritually rich festival featuring ritual dances and ceremonies unique to Trongsa.

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Mongar Tshechu
Mongar Dzong
17 – 19 November 2026

An eastern Bhutan festival marked by vibrant performances and strong local participation.

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Phuntsholing Tshechu
Phuntsholing, Chhukha
17 – 19 November 2026

A lively urban festival celebrated in southern Bhutan with mask dances and rituals.

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Trashigang Tshechu
Trashigang Dzong
18 – 20 November 2026

One of eastern Bhutan’s most important festivals, attracting visitors from across the region.

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Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham
Jambay Lhakhang, Bumthang
24 November 2026

A sacred masked dance believed to bless participants and spectators alike.

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Nalakhar Tshechu
Ngaa Lhakhang, Bumthang
24 – 26 November 2026

A quiet and intimate festival reflecting the spiritual traditions of central Bhutan.

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DECEMBER

Dochula Druk Wangyel Tshechu
Dochula Pass, Thimphu
13 December 2026

A unique festival honoring Bhutan’s armed forces, set against panoramic Himalayan views.

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Trongsa Tshechu
Trongsa Dzong
17 – 21 December 2026
Thongdrel unfurled on the final day

A major winter festival held at one of Bhutan’s most historically significant dzongs.

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Lhuentse Tshechu
Lhuentse Dzong
17 – 21 December 2026
Thongdrel unfurled on the final day

A culturally rich festival in eastern Bhutan, known for traditional textiles and local customs.

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Samdrupjongkhar Tshechu
Samdrupjongkhar
22 – 24 December 2026

A southern Bhutan festival celebrated with devotion and community spirit.

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Nabji Lhakhang Drup
Nabji Lhakhang, Trongsa
24 – 26 December 2026

A sacred rural festival offering an authentic village-based cultural experience.

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