Festivals in Central Bhutan
Bhutan's festivals, most of them tshechus held in honour of Guru Rinpoche, fill dzong and temple courtyards with masked dances, music and crowds in their finest clothes. Dates follow the lunar calendar and change every year.
Dates shown are tentative, from the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators festival lists (2026 list updated 23 January 2025; 2027 list updated 14 February 2025). We confirm dates with the organisers before you book.
October 2026
- Tentative
Jakar Tshechu
Jakar Dzong, Bumthang · Central Bhutan
- Tentative
Jambay Lhakhang, Chokhor, Bumthang · Central Bhutan
- Tentative
Prakhar Duchhoed
Prakhar Lhakhang, Chumey, Bumthang · Central Bhutan
November 2026
- Tentative
Goenpai Drupchen
Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa · Central Bhutan
- Tentative
Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham
Jambay Lhakhang, Chokhor, Bumthang · Central Bhutan
- Tentative
Nalakhar Tshechu
Ngaa Lhakhang, Chokhor, Bumthang · Central Bhutan
December 2026
- Tentative
Trongsa Tshechu
Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa · Central Bhutan
Thongdrel unveiled on the last day
- Tentative
Nabji Lhakhang Drup
Nabji Lhakhang, Nabji, Trongsa · Central Bhutan
February 2027
- Tentative
Lhamoi Dromchhen
Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa · Central Bhutan
- Tentative
Tharpaling Thongdrol
Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chumey, Bumthang · Central Bhutan
- Tentative
Tangsibi Mani
Tangsibi Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang · Central Bhutan
March 2027
- Tentative
Zhemgang Tshechu
Zhemgang Dzong, Zhemgang · Central Bhutan
April 2027
- Tentative
Domkhar Tshechu
Domkhar, Chumey, Bumthang · Central Bhutan
- Tentative
Ura Yakchoe
Ura Lhakhang, Bumthang · Central Bhutan
June 2027
- Tentative
Nimalung Tshechu
Nimalung Dratshang, Chumey, Bumthang · Central Bhutan
- Tentative
Kurjey Tshechu
Kurjey Lhakhang, Chokhor, Bumthang · Central Bhutan
September 2027
- Tentative
Tour of the Dragon
Bumthang to Thimphu (mountain bike race) · Central Bhutan
October 2027
- Tentative
Tamshing Phala Chhoepa
Tamshing Lhakhang, Bumthang · Central Bhutan
- Tentative
Thangbi Mewang
Thangbi Lhakhang, Chokhor, Bumthang · Central Bhutan
November 2027
- Tentative
Jakar Tshechu
Jakar Dzong, Bumthang · Central Bhutan
- Tentative
Jambay Lhakhang, Chokhor, Bumthang · Central Bhutan
- Tentative
Prakhar Duchhoed
Prakhar Lhakhang, Chumey, Bumthang · Central Bhutan
December 2027
- Tentative
Goenpai Drupchen
Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa · Central Bhutan
- Tentative
Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham
Jambay Lhakhang, Chokhor, Bumthang · Central Bhutan
- Tentative
Nalakhar Tshechu
Ngaa Lhakhang, Chokhor, Bumthang · Central Bhutan
Plan your journey around a festival
Choose a festival and we will build an itinerary that gets you there on the right days, with time for the valleys around it.