Festivals in Bhutan are known for their richness, vibrancy and happiness.
The ancient expressions of Buddhist culture and legendary victories are re-enacted and celebrated around the country with such pomp and show that it attracts visitors and tourists from around the globe.
Most of these festivals are dedicated to Guru Rimpoche – the saint who introduced
Bhutan to Buddhism in the early 8th Century.
The mystical dances, engaging performances, brave fire events, mysterious naked dances, enlightening re-creations and such comprise the festive celebrations.
Sometimes there are rare displays of silk paintings and/or some ancient scrolls.
The festivals in
Bhutan never let you off the high.
For a quick peek, join us on a virtual tour to
15 major festivals in Bhutan 2023.
Here are some of the best festivals in Bhutan which one must definitely experience when they plan a vacation to the happiest country in the world.
- Thimphu Tsechu Festival
- Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival
- Wangdue Phodrang Tshechu Festival
- Punakha Drubchen and Tshechu Festival
- Paro Tshechu Festival
- Haa Summer Festival
- Matsutake Festival
- Jomolhari Mountain Festival
- Nimalung Festival
- Nomad Festival
- Sakteng Festival
- Takin Festival
- Ura Yakchoe
- Wangduephodrang Tshechu
- The Annual Black-Necked Crane Festival
1. Thimphu Tsechu Festival
Duration: 3 days
When: 10th Day of 8th month of Lunar Calendar
Thimphu Tshechu is the biggest and the most popular festival of Bhutan.
This is also called the national festival of Bhutan where thousands of people flock down, all decked up in fine colorful attires to be a part of the festivities.
There are colors, there are dance performances, there are activities, and there are plays in this Bhutan festival in 2023.
However, the colorful mask dances, where people and monks dance their heart out to celebrate life and cheeriness of Bhutan, steal the show.
2. Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival
Duration: 4 days
When: Since this one of major Bhutan festivals, is celebrated according to the Lunar Calendar, it can fall anytime during October – November.
Naked dancing, fire dancing, mask dancing – Jambay Lhakhang Drup has it all.
One of the main festival of Bhutan, there are traditional dances are performed to celebrate the foundation of Jambay Lhakhang Monastery and to honor Guru Rimpoche.
Mewang – the fire ceremony, attracts thousands of tourists and features locals dancing under a flaming structure made of dry grass.
Meanwhile, the event highlight is ‘Dance of Treasure’ – Tercham, where masked dancers and monks perform naked. This part of the festivities take place in the middle of the night.
3. Wangdue Phodrang Tshechu Festival
Duration: 3 days
When: Since this one of major Bhutan festivals, is celebrated according to the Lunar Calendar, it can fall anytime during October – November.
The region of Wangdue Phodrang, central Bhutan, is famous for its ornamental speeches and songs known as Lozeys.
The annual festival was introduced after the completion of Dzong, which is a fortress, in 1639.
It is one such Bhutan festival, where locals and thousands of tourists come together to revel in the festivities and to celebrate life and merriment.
The ‘Dance of Ox’ is also a major attraction, where people dance to ensure a peaceful afterlife.
The festival is concluded with the unfurling of a gigantic scroll of various paintings, known as Guru Tshengye Thongdrol.
4. Punakha Drubchen and Tshechu Festival
Duration: 3-4 days
When: February or March is usually the month when this popular Bhutanese festival is celebrated.
Out of all the festivals in Bhutan, Punakha Drubchen is most unique.
It is about recreation of some consequential scenes and moments from the Tibetan Army battle of 17th Century.
The local military officials recreate and re-enact the scenes dressed in full battle gear complete with swords.
It is to celebrate the victory and to pay tribute to the villagers who came forward to drive out the Tibetan army out of their country.
It shows gratitude to these people because of whom, Tibet was unable to take over Bhutan.
Another major Bhutanese festival, Punakha Tshechu follows immediately, which is known for its colorful dance performances and cheerful environment.
5. Paro Tshechu Festival
Duration: 3-4 days
When: It is the most popular spring festival of Bhutan, and takes place in the months of March or April.
This is one of the most famous festival of Bhutan is Paro Tshechu.
Monks and laymen dress up in vibrant multicolored brocade costumes.
They mingle, they dance, they enjoy and they celebrate. Monks, wearing masks which represent the deities, re-enact and replay the scenes from legendary tales and historical anecdotes.
However, the showstopper of the festival is the moment when people get the much awaited glimpse of 350 years old Thangkha, which is one of the oldest Buddhist religious scrolls.
It has narratives from history, celebrating the high deeds of Guru Rimpoche.
The reason why Paro festivals in Bhutan are known to be the most visited ones around the country, is its hospitality and connectivity.
6. Haa Summer Festival
Duration: 2-3 days
When: This Bhutan festival is usually celebrated in July, every year, since 2012.
One of the newly found festivals celebrated in Bhutan is Haa Summer Festival.
Locals and tourists come together to celebrate the culture, heritage, religion and sports of Bhutan.
The festival is mainly dedicated to the nomads of Haa Valley.
Some of the most consequential moments and cultures of these nomads are showcased during this festival in the form of vibrant pictures and lively paintings.
The best part is that even tourists can participate in some of the fun activities like yak riding, folk dance, and food tasting
7. Matsutake Festival
When: In the month of August
This annual festival is one of the famous harvest festival of Bhutan is the celebration done by the locals of Ura Valley during the mushroom season.
This festival marks the celebration of mushroom harvesting in Matsutake.
During this festival, the locals make delicious delicacies and the visitors can get a peek of the lifestyle of the people.
This festival celebration includes mushroom picking excursion and getting a glimpse of the panoramic forests.
8. Jomolhari Mountain Festival
Location: At the base of Jamohhar Mountain
Timing: In the daytime
The Jomolhari Mountain festival is a festival which happens for around 2 days and considered to be one of the exquisite events to be witnessed.
This is one of the famous Bhutan festivals in 2023 which one must visit.
There are magnificent theme to rejoice and locals add life to the entire celebration.
The festival takes place at the foothills of the heels of Mt. Jomolhari.
This festival also includes a snow leopard show which aims in spreading awareness on the declining number of snow leopards.
9. Nimalung Festival
Location: Chumey located in Bumthang
Timing: In the daytime
Bhutan is known for its vibrant festivals, and Nimalung festival stands to be one of them.
This festival is celebrated with much zeal and there are traditional folk dances and other performances done by the locals.
Alongside that there is a mask dance which is indeed the highlight of the place.
Alongside that there one can see the locals beseech the gods to seek their blessings and get away from the misfortunes.
10. Nomad Festival
Timing: Late Morning To Late Evening
The Nomad festival is an annual celebration which takes place in Bumthang which is less than 10 hrs drive from Thimphu.
During this time, the nomadic people come from all parts of Bhutan, especially from the North West and North East Himalayas who dominated the festival with their presence.
The festival livens up with traditional dances, colorful outfits which is enhanced by the surreal and lush-green surroundings.
11. Sakteng Festival
Highlights: Yak Dance and Ache Lhamo
When: In the month of June
The Sakteng Festival is an annual celebration which happens the Sakteng Valley located at an altitude of 3000 meters.
This valley is located at the eastern side of Bhutan and the semi nomads named the Brokpas reside here.
Quite an excluded place, this valley has still not been touched by the modernity.
But this festival is worth experiencing which happens for around 3 days almost next to the village grounds.
12. Takin Festival
Highlights: Performance of Bhutan Takin up close
When: In the month of February
The Takin festival takes place at Jigme Dorji National Park located at Gasa Dzongkhag.
This is considered to be one of the most famous festivals in Bhutan and gives a sight of the national animal of Bhutan which is a rare sight.
Alongside that there are other things like trekking and hot spring baths which makes this festival more special.
13. Ura Yakchoe
When: In the month of April
Ura Yakchoe is a famous dance performance which is performed at the Ura Valley in Bumthang.
During this festival, the traditional dance is performed alongside the popular folk dances which is a symbol of a sacred relic.
This festival holds a major importance among the locals and a large number of devotees come to seek blessings and worship the relic.
14. Wangduephodrang Tshechu
When: In the month of June
This is an annual festival which was introduced by the Zhaddrung Ngawang Namgyal right after the Dzong was completed.
According to history, the dzong was served as an administrative centre which was built in 1639.
The Wangduephodrang Tshechu is a 3 day festival which was organized and attended by the natives of Thimphu and Punakha as it is considered to be quite famous Thimphu festivals.
15. The Annual Black-Necked Crane Festival
When: In the month of November
This festival is quite a fascinating one which is quite evident by its name, but it holds quite popularity among the locals.
Celebrated at the Gangtey Gompa courtyard located in the Phobjikha Valley, this festival is used as a medium to pass on a message to mankind.
The motive of this festival is to create awareness on creating and protecting the endangered black necked cranes.