Bhutan Festival Calendar 2027 (and late 2026): Tshechu Dates

Bhutan Festival Calendar 2026–2027

Bhutan’s biggest festivals in 2027 are Punakha Tshechu (16–18 February), Paro Tshechu (18–22 March), Thimphu Tshechu (10–12 October) and the Black-necked Crane Festival in Phobjikha (11 November). Tshechu festivals honour Guru Rinpoche with sacred masked dances (cham) in dzong and temple courtyards. Dates follow the Bhutanese lunar calendar and are announced as tentative by the Department of Tourism, so they can change. Updated October 2026.

Bhutan Festival Calendar 2027

Dates (2027)	Festival	Venue
11–13 Feb	Lhamoi Dromchhen	Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa
13–15 Feb	Punakha Dromchoe	Punakha Dzong, Punakha
16–18 Feb	Punakha Tshechu	Punakha Dzong, Punakha
20 Feb	Tharpaling Thongdrol	Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chumi, Bumthang
20 Feb & 8 Mar	Chhorten Kora	Chorten Kora, Trashiyangtse
22–24 Feb	Tangsibi Mani	Tangsibi Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang
16–18 Mar	Gomphukora	Gom Kora Lhakhang, Trashiyangtse
16–18 Mar	Talo Tshechu	Talo Gonpa, Punakha
16–18 Mar	Gasa Tshechu	Gasa Dzong, Gasa
16–18 Mar	Zhemgang Tshechu	Zhemgang Dzong, Zhemgang
18–22 Mar	Paro Tshechu (Thongdrol on the last day)	Rinpung Dzong, Paro
3–9 Apr	Rhododendron Week	Shetemey, Merak, Trashigang
16–18 Apr	Domkhar Tshechu	Domkhar, Chumi, Bumthang
18–22 Apr	Ura Yakchoe	Ura Lhakhang, Bumthang
22–23 Apr	Rhododendron Festival	Lamperi Botanical Park, Thimphu
12–14 Jun	Nimalung Tshechu	Nimalung Dratshang, Chumi, Bumthang
14 Jun	Kurjey Tshechu	Kurjey Lhakhang, Bumthang
5 Sep	Tour of the Dragon (mountain bike race)	Bumthang to Thimphu
5 Oct	Thimphu Drubchen	Tashichho Dzong, Thimphu
8–10 Oct	Wangdue Tshechu	Wangduephodrang
10–12 Oct	Thimphu Tshechu	Tashichho Dzong, Thimphu
10–12 Oct	Tamshing Phala Chhoepa	Tamshing Lhakhang, Bumthang
13–15 Oct	Gangtey Tshechu (Thongdrol on the last day)	Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha
14–15 Oct	Jomolhari Mountain Festival	Dangochong, Thimphu
15–16 Oct	Thangbi Mewang	Thangbi Lhakhang, Bumthang
6–8 Nov	Haa Tshechu	Lhakhang Karpo, Haa
6–8 Nov	Chhukha Tshechu	Chhukha Dzong, Chhukha
6–9 Nov	Jakar Tshechu	Jakar Dzong, Bumthang
6–9 Nov	Pemagatshel Tshechu (Thongdrol on the last day)	Pemagatshel Dzong, Pemagatshel
8 Nov	Dechenphu Tshechu	Dechenphu Lhakhang, Thimphu
11 Nov	Black-necked Crane Festival	Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha
14–17 Nov	Jambay Lhakhang Drup	Jambay Lhakhang, Bumthang
15–17 Nov	Prakhar Duchhoed	Prakar Lhakhang, Chumi, Bumthang
3–5 Dec	Goenpai Drupchen	Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa
6–8 Dec	Mongar Tshechu	Mongar Dzong, Mongar
6–8 Dec	Phuentsholing Tshechu	Phuentsholing, Chhukha
7–9 Dec	Trashigang Tshechu	Trashigang Dzong, Trashigang
13 Dec	Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham	Jambay Lhakhang, Bumthang
13–15 Dec	Nalakhar Tshechu	Ngaa Lhakhang, Bumthang
13 Dec	Druk Wangyel Tshechu	Dochula Pass, Thimphu
5–9 Jan 2028	Trongsa Tshechu (Thongdrol on the last day)	Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa
5–9 Jan 2028	Lhuentse Tshechu (Thongdrol on the last day)	Lhuentse Dzong, Lhuentse
10–12 Jan 2028	Samdrup Jongkhar Tshechu	Samdrup Jongkhar
12–14 Jan 2028	Nabji Lhakhang Drup	Nabji Lhakhang, Trongsa

Remaining festivals in 2026

Dates (2026)	Festival	Venue
11 Nov	Black-necked Crane Festival	Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha
14–16 Nov	Goenpai Drupchen	Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa
17–19 Nov	Mongar Tshechu	Mongar Dzong, Mongar
17–19 Nov	Phuentsholing Tshechu	Phuentsholing, Chhukha
18–20 Nov	Trashigang Tshechu	Trashigang Dzong, Trashigang
24 Nov	Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham	Jambay Lhakhang, Bumthang
24–26 Nov	Nalakhar Tshechu	Ngaa Lhakhang, Bumthang
13 Dec	Druk Wangyel Tshechu	Dochula Pass, Thimphu
17–21 Dec	Trongsa Tshechu	Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa
17–21 Dec	Lhuentse Tshechu	Lhuentse Dzong, Lhuentse
22–24 Dec	Samdrup Jongkhar Tshechu	Samdrup Jongkhar
24–26 Dec	Nabji Lhakhang Drup	Nabji Lhakhang, Trongsa

Which festival should I choose?

Paro Tshechu (spring): the most popular, with a giant thongdrol (sacred thangka) unveiled at dawn on the last day. Book about six months ahead.
Thimphu Tshechu (autumn): the largest festival, in the capital, with clear autumn weather.
Punakha Tshechu (late winter): includes a dramatic re-enactment of a historic battle, in a warm valley.
Black-necked Crane Festival (November): a small, joyful village festival celebrating the cranes’ arrival in Phobjikha.
Jambay Lhakhang Drup (autumn): famous for its sacred midnight fire blessing in Bumthang.

Festival etiquette

Dress modestly: long sleeves and long trousers or a skirt.
Do not use flash or step into the dance area to take photos.
Hats are removed inside dzong courtyards.
Arrive early on the main days for a good view.

Bhutan festivals: quick answers

When is Paro Tshechu 2027?

18 to 22 March 2027, at Rinpung Dzong in Paro. The thongdrol is displayed at dawn on the last day. Dates are tentative.

When is Thimphu Tshechu 2027?

10 to 12 October 2027, at Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu. Dates are tentative.

Can tourists attend Bhutan festivals?

Yes. Tshechus are public religious festivals and visitors are welcome, as long as they dress modestly and follow etiquette.

Why do festival dates change every year?

Festivals follow the Bhutanese lunar calendar, so their Western dates change each year. The Department of Tourism publishes tentative dates in advance.

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