A Guide to Festivals in Bhutan
Festivals are a significant part of Bhutan's culture and are central to the living Buddhist faith in the kingdom. Most festivals, also known as 'tsechus', are of great religious significance and are mostly celebrated through music and ritual masked dances called 'chams'. Tsechus attract large numbers of Bhutanese people, dressed in their finery, as they believe by attending these special celebrations they gain religious merit as well as enjoying a fine social event.
Dates of most of Bhutan's festivals are set each year in accordance with the Buddhist calendar which can lead to major variations in when they are held from year to year. Below are just a few of Bhutan's key festivals, together with details of Mountain Kingdoms holiday you can visit them on. We also look at the all important etiquette at festivals for tourists so that you don't offend the local people when you share their sacred occasions.
The Main Festivals
Each community in Bhutan holds an annual festival or tsechu, so there are numerous ones taking place throughout the year. However, only some of the festivals take place during the main seasons for visiting - spring, autumn and early winter. Here are the main ones that you are most likely to have the opportunity to see, depending on when you visit.
Paro Tsechu
One of Bhutan's biggest and most significant festivals, the Paro Tsechu draws huge crowds each spring and is a popular tourist attraction. During the Paro Tsechu, music, songs and ceremonial masked dances are performed to honour Guru Rinpoche who established Buddhism in the Himalaya. The festival is popular with tourists but also attracts many local people who travel from even the most remote villages to celebrate, socialise and have fun. They believe that by witnessing the performances they will achieve spiritual merit and move towards enlightenment. The last day of the festival is particularly famous for the unfurling of the giant thongdrol (a huge embroidered image depicting Guru Rinpoche), which happens just after dawn on the side of a five storey building. The local people line up to touch the sacred cloth and receive its blessings. But the thongdrol must be re-rolled before the first rays of the sun reach it. The Paro Tsechu features as a festival in many of our cultural Bhutan tour packages as well as treks and walking holidays with spring departures.
Location: Paro
When: Spring (March)
Which holidays attend this festival in Bhutan? Druk Path Trek, Definitive Cultural Tour of Bhutan, Gentle Walking Bhutan, and Tiger's Nest Trek Bhutan & Kathmandu Valley Trek, Cultural Cycling Tour of Bhutan, Hidden Valleys of Bhutan, Trans Bhutan Trail - Western Highlights
Thimphu Tsechu
Thimphu Tsechu is the other one of Bhutan’s most important set-piece festivals and is massively impressive in its scale and colour. It is a three day event celebrated by thousands at Tashichho Dzong - Thimphu's central monastery. Like most Bhutanese festivals, Thimphu Tsechu is a religious celebration, during which monks perform dances wearing brightly coloured brocaded costumes and elaborate masks. The dances, often performed by monks, re-enact Buddhist myths and legends and are believed to dispel evil forces that have accumulated during the previous year. On some years the Thimphu Tsechu falls in early or mid-September making it quite difficult to tie in with group holiday departures due to the wetter weather conditions in this month. When this happens we often attend the Dechenphu Tsechu instead which is normally held later in October (as is the case in 2025).
Location: Thimphu
When: Autumn (September/October)
Which holidays attend this festival in Bhutan? Definitive Cultural Tour of Bhutan, and Gentle Walking Bhutan
Dechenphu Tsechu
Held at Dechenphu Lakhang (or monastery) in the northern part of the Thimphu Valley since 2003, the Dechenphu Tsechu makes for a smaller, more intimate festival than the neighbouring Thimphu Tsechu. It attracts far fewer tourists so feels more like a small-scale, local celebration. In fact, tourists are only allowed to enter the Lakhang on festival day. Dechenphu Lakhang is an attractive, ochre red building and makes for a very scenic backdrop to the music and dances of the festival which honours Gay Ngyen Jakpa Melen - one of Bhutan's most formidable guardian deities.
Location: Thimphu Valley
When: Autumn (October/November)
Which holidays attend this festival in Bhutan? Temple Trails & Homestays in Bhutan, Tiger's Nest Trek, Bhutan & Kathmandu Valley Trek, Nepal, Druk Path Trek
Punakha Tsechu
Punakha Tsechu is held in the magnificent Punakha Dzong, situated at the confluence of two rivers, and considered to be one of the most beautiful and important dzongs in the kingdom. This festival was introduced as a commemoration of the Bhutanese victories over the Tibetans in the 17th century and has a unique procession on the final day. During the festival, dances and other dramas re-enact the dramatic moments when the Bhutanese people gathered to expel the Tibetan forces from the country, and also to celebrate the peace and stability this brought to the country.
Location: Punakha
When: Winter (February/early March)
Which holidays attend this festival in Bhutan? Gentle Walking, Bhutan and Definitive Cultural Tour of Bhutan
Black-Necked Crane Festival
The Black-Necked Crane festival takes place in the courtyard of Gangtey Gompa in Phobjika to celebrate the annual arrival of the endangered cranes to the feeding grounds in the surrounding valley. The festival was introduced relatively recently as a means of generating awareness of conservation efforts to preserve the cranes and their habitat. The festival lasts for a single day and consists of traditional masked dances, as well as special crane dances, songs by the local school children and plays. It is the only festival that is at the same time each year.
Location: Gangtey Gompa, Phobjikha
When: Winter (November)
Which holidays attend this festival in Bhutan? Definitive Cultural Tour of Bhutan, Cultural Cycling Tour of Bhutan, Hidden Valleys of Bhutan and Gentle Walking Bhutan.
Jakar Tsechu
This festival is held in Jakar Dzong in the Bumthang region of central Bhutan - the spiritual heart of the kingdom. The dzong is also known as 'the castle of the white bird' and is in a very picturesque location, perched on a hill overlooking the Chokhor Valley. The tsechu is held over three days and is the most important in the area, attracting many visitors to watch the spectacular masked dances, listen to the traditional folk songs and enjoy the japes of the festival clown.
Location: Jakar Dzong
When: Autumn (October)
Which holidays attend this festival in Bhutan? Gentle Walking Eastern Bhutan, Rodang La Trek (The Rodang La will not attend the festival in 2025 due to the festival dates).
Talo Tsechu
This traditional, local festival is held in the village of Talo, high above the Punakha Valley, each spring. A much smaller affair than the grand tsechu held at nearby Punakha Dzong, this is a fine example of a village celebration attended primarily by the local people with few tourists. The tsechu is held in the grounds outside the dzong which is built on a plateau giving commanding views. Masked dances and songs are performed over three days and, at the end of each day, there is a classical dance by the famous Talo dance troupe. The dance troupe are the pride of the community and their dances have great historical and spiritual significance.
Location: Talo village
When: Spring (April)
Which holidays attend this festival in Bhutan? Temple Trails & Homestays in Bhutan
Chomolhari Mountain Festival
More of a two-day village fete then a spiritual festival, the Chomohari Festival is a unique celebration of the people of the Linghsi region: their rich mountain culture and their symbiotic relationship with the snow leopard. The villagers who organise the festival also aim to raise awareness of efforts to conserve the elusive snow leopards with whom they share the beautiful, mountainous region which is part of the Jigme Dorji National Park. Park rangers attend the festival to provide information to trekkers who can join the festivities as part of a Chomolhari trek. In addition to traditional folk music and dances in honour of the snow leopard, the festival also features entertaining local sporting events including horse riding, khuru (darts), degor (like shot putt) and a fiercely contested tug-of-war. The money that the festival generates helps support the communities of the area.
Location: Soe Village, Lingshi - at the foot of Mount Chomolhari
When: Autumn (October)
Which holidays attend this festival in Bhutan: Mount Chhomolhari & Lingshi, Lingshi Laya Trek
Bhutan Festival Etiquette
Until relatively recently, Bhutan trekking holidays and cultural tours were quite unusual. The country was only opened to western visitors in 1974 and, since then, visitor numbers have been kept low by limited flights, the requirement to travel as part of a package of services and high daily visitor fees. These restrictions have served to preserve both the culture and environment of this very special kingdom.
While the people of Bhutan are renowned for their warmth and openness, it is very important to observe certain behaviour when enjoying the privilege of their hospitality. When in Bhutan, touring the towns, walking through the countryside or trekking through the kingdom’s remote mountains you may be fortunate enough to spend time at one of the country’s many festivals. While it’s easy to get swept up in the celebrations, bear in mind Bhutan’s unique culture and traditions and ensure you follow the correct etiquette so as not to offend.
Sacred Ground
The grounds on which Bhutan’s religious festivals are held are consecrated by the lamas so, in effect, if you attend you are on sacred ground. Many of those taking part in the dances are monks who will be in a meditative state, generating a spiritual power and energy to cleanse and bless the spectators. Bear this in mind and behave accordingly when watching the celebrations. Follow the locals behaviour, and your guide's advice, with regard to eating, drinking, applauding and calling out whilst watching the dances and ceremonies. Remember, tsechus are not tourist shows, even though they are theatrical and dramatic, they are instead deeply spiritual rituals, and you should act with due respect.
Join in the fun
Despite the spiritual intensity, there is still an enormous sense of fun and community at a tsechu - join in. Talk to your fellow spectators if they speak English (and perhaps learn a few words of greeting in Bhutanese) . You may even find yourself the 'victim' of the naughty clown who tours the crowds looking to make mischief - enjoy the experience!
Patience is a virtue
Crowds can be large so be prepared to wait politely if necessary. Don't push or queue jump to get a better view.
Photography
While the taking of photos is not banned, use your discretion and common sense and don’t intrude on the dancer’s space or use a flash. Also be respectful when taking pictures of the crowd; it is always polite to ask where possible.
Dress Code
As festivals rank amongst the most important events of the year in Bhutan, it is good manners to present yourself as neatly as possible. The locals will dress in their best traditional wear made from colourful, finely woven fabrics: ghos for men and kiras for women. Although it may not always be easy if you’re trekking Bhutan, make as much effort as you can under the circumstances and it will be appreciated. You should also cover legs and shoulders and dress conservatively.
Be environmentally aware
If you've ever attended a festival at home, you'll be aware of the large amounts of litter that are often left behind. This is not the case in Bhutan and you should be sure to take all your litter away with you.
There have been occasions in the past where the actions of western tourists have caused offense to the people of Bhutan – so ensure you act in a way that gives these festivals the respect they deserve.