Bhutan Festivals & Tshechus
Sacred masked dances, ancient rituals, and community celebration — time your Bhutan trip around one of these festivals.
Druk Wangyel Tshechu
The only Bhutanese festival where mask dances are performed by the Royal Bhutan Army rather than monks, held each December 13th at Dochula Pass.
Trongsa Tshechu
A five-day festival at Trongsa Choekhor Rabtentse Dzong, perched above the Mangdechhu and Truenpangchu gorges in central Bhutan.
Nabji Lhakhang Drup
A festival at Nabji village temple in central Bhutan, featuring a fire-blessing ceremony and a sacred night-time naked dance.
Kurjey Tshechu
A one-day festival at Kurjey Lhakhang in Bumthang, honoring Guru Rinpoche and fully sponsored by the Bhutanese government.
Thangbi Mani
A four-day cultural festival at the historic Thangbi Lhakhang in Bumthang, organized by three neighboring villages.
Black-Necked Crane Festival
An annual conservation festival in Phobjikha Valley celebrating the arrival of the rare black-necked crane.
Mongar Tshechu
A three-day festival in Mongar, eastern Bhutan, known as the 'Bastion of the Zhongarps' and renowned for wood carving craftsmanship.
Phuentsholing Tshechu
A cross-border festival in the bustling gateway town of Phuentsholing, blending monastic tradition with local student performances.
Prakhar Duchhoed
A three-day mask-dance festival at Prakhar Lhakhang in Bumthang's Chumey Valley, honoring Lama Thukse Dawa.
Trashigang Tshechu
A three-day festival at Trashigang Dzong, a 1651 fortress in Bhutan's largest district, drawing the semi-nomadic Brokpa people.
Chhukha Tshechu
A three-day festival at Chhukha Ngedrup Tse Dzong in sub-tropical southwestern Bhutan, established in 1988 as an offering to Guru Rinpoche.
Dechenphu Tshechu
A one-day festival at Dechenphu monastery in northern Thimphu valley, honoring the local deity Gayngyen Jakpa Melen.
Haa Summer Festival
A celebration of nomadic herder culture, local cuisine, and alpine traditions in Bhutan's remote Haa Valley.
Jhomolhari Mountain Festival
A two-day trekking festival at the base of Mount Jomolhari, celebrating the snow leopard and the communities living alongside it.
Jakar Tshechu
A festival at Jakar Dzong, the 'Castle of the White Bird', established in 1999 in Bhutan's Bumthang region.
Jambay Lhakhang Drup
A nighttime festival at one of Bhutan's oldest temples, famous for its fire ritual and naked dance.
Thimphu Drubchen
A one-day sacred masked dance festival honoring Palden Lhamo, Bhutan's protecting deity, held at Tashichho Dzong days before Thimphu Tshechu.
Tour of the Dragon
A 255km one-day mountain bike race from Bumthang to Thimphu over four high mountain passes — one of the hardest one-day races in the world.
Gangtey Tshechu
A three-day autumn festival of sacred mask dances in the courtyard of Gangtey Monastery, Phobjikha Valley.
Thimphu Tshechu
One of Bhutan's biggest festivals, drawing thousands to the capital for three days of masked dances and celebration.
Wangdue Tshechu
An annual three-day festival in Wangduephodrang, introduced by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, famous for the Dance of the Ox.