Tshechu Dates 2027 · Updated October 2026
Bhutan Festivals Calendar 2027
Every major tshechu and festival in Bhutan for 2027, month by month, with what each one is like, how to plan around it and how to be a respectful guest. Bhutan holds more than 160 festivals a year; these are the ones worth building a trip around.
By Chencho Gyeltshen, founder · Kingdom of Happiness Tours, Thimphu · Updated October 2026
Festivals of Bhutan this year
The big four festivals of 2027
If you can only plan around one festival, choose one of these. Dates are tentative 2027 dates from the schedule shared by the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators; festivals follow the Bhutanese lunar calendar, so we confirm final dates with every booking.
13–18 Feb 2027
Punakha Drubchen & Tshechu
Punakha Dzong
A dramatic re-enactment of a 17th-century battle, followed by three days of mask dances at Bhutan’s most beautiful dzong.
18–22 Mar 2027
Paro Tshechu
Rinpung Dzong, Paro
Bhutan’s best-known festival, ending at dawn with the unveiling of the giant thongdrel. Early this year, so plan for March.
10–12 Oct 2027
Thimphu Tshechu
Tashichho Dzong, Thimphu
The capital’s great autumn festival, in October this year rather than September, with the clearest weather of the year.
6–17 Nov 2027
Jakar Tshechu & Jambay Lhakhang Drup
Bumthang
Bumthang‘s twin festivals: Jakar Dzong (6–9 Nov) and the fire blessing at Jambay Lhakhang (14–17 Nov).
New for 2027
What's different this year
- Paro Tshechu falls in March (18–22 Mar), earlier than in many years.
- Thimphu Tshechu moves to October (10–12 Oct); it was in September in 2026.
- Chhukha Tshechu (6–8 Nov) and Pemagatshel Tshechu (6–9 Nov) move from October to November.
- Trongsa and Lhuentse tshechus fall in December 2026 and next in January 2028, so there is no edition in January 2027.
Full calendar
Bhutan festival dates 2027, month by month
Tentative dates from the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators’ schedule. The Department of Tourism publishes its own festival list each year; we check every date against it before you book flights. January 2027 has no major tshechus, so we show January 2028 for planning ahead.
Punakha & Bumthang
February 2027
- 13–15 Feb · Punakha Drubchen — Punakha Dzong
- 16–18 Feb · Punakha Tshechu — Punakha Dzong
- 11–13 Feb · Lhamoi Dromchhen — Trongsa
- 20 Feb · Tharpaling Thongdrol — Bumthang
- 20 Feb · Chhorten Kora — Trashiyangtse
- 22–24 Feb · Tangsibi Mani — Bumthang
Spring festival season
March 2027
- 8 Mar · Chhorten Kora — Trashiyangtse
- 16–18 Mar · Gomphu Kora — Trashiyangtse
- 16–18 Mar · Talo Tshechu — Punakha
- 16–18 Mar · Gasa Tshechu — Gasa
- 16–18 Mar · Zhemgang Tshechu — Zhemgang
- 18–22 Mar · Paro Tshechu — Rinpung Dzong, Paro
Rhododendron season
April 2027
- 3–9 Apr · Rhododendron Week — Trashigang
- 16–18 Apr · Domkhar Tshechu — Bumthang
- 18–22 Apr · Ura Yakchoe — Ura, Bumthang
- 22–23 Apr · Rhododendron Festival — Lamperi, near Dochula
Summer in Bumthang
June 2027
- 12–14 Jun · Nimalung Tshechu — Bumthang
- 14 Jun · Kurjey Tshechu — Bumthang
Before the autumn season
September 2027
- 5 Sep · Tour of the Dragon mountain-bike race — Bumthang to Thimphu
Peak festival month
October 2027
- 5 Oct · Thimphu Drubchen — Thimphu
- 8–10 Oct · Wangdue Tshechu — Wangdue Phodrang
- 10–12 Oct · Thimphu Tshechu — Tashichho Dzong
- 10–12 Oct · Tamshing Phala Chhoepa — Bumthang
- 13–15 Oct · Gangtey Tshechu — Gangtey Goenpa, Phobjikha
- 14–15 Oct · Jhomolhari Mountain Festival — Thimphu district
- 15–16 Oct · Thangbi Mewang — Bumthang
- 23–24 Oct · Royal Highland Festival — Laya, Gasa
Bumthang and the east
November 2027
- 6–8 Nov · Chhukha Tshechu — Chhukha
- 6–8 Nov · Haa Tshechu — Haa
- 6–9 Nov · Jakar Tshechu — Jakar Dzong, Bumthang
- 6–9 Nov · Pemagatshel Tshechu — Pemagatshel
- 8 Nov · Dechenphu Tshechu — Thimphu
- 11 Nov · Black-necked Crane Festival — Gangtey Goenpa, Phobjikha
- 14–17 Nov · Jambay Lhakhang Drup — Bumthang
- 15–17 Nov · Prakhar Duchhoed — Bumthang
Winter festivals
December 2027
- 3–5 Dec · Goenpai Drupchen — Trongsa
- 6–8 Dec · Mongar Tshechu — Mongar
- 6–8 Dec · Phuentsholing Tshechu — Chhukha
- 7–9 Dec · Trashigang Tshechu — Trashigang
- 13 Dec · Druk Wangyel Tshechu — Dochula Pass
- 13 Dec · Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham — Bumthang
- 13–15 Dec · Nalakhar Tshechu — Bumthang
Looking ahead
January 2028
- 5–9 Jan · Trongsa Tshechu — Trongsa Dzong
- 5–9 Jan · Lhuentse Tshechu — Lhuentse
- 10–12 Jan · Samdrup Jongkhar Tshechu
- 12–14 Jan · Nabji Lhakhang Drup — Trongsa
When is tshechu celebrated?
What is a tshechu?
Tshechu means “tenth day”. The festivals honour Guru Rinpoche, who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century, and are held around the tenth day of a month in the Bhutanese lunar calendar, which is why the dates move each year. Each district holds its own, usually in the courtyard of its dzong or main temple.
For Bhutanese families, a tshechu is a time to receive blessings, meet friends and wear their finest gho and kira. Visitors are welcome to watch alongside them.
Cham mask dances
Monks and lay dancers perform sacred dances in masks and silk costumes. Each dance carries a Buddhist teaching, and watching is believed to bring merit.
The thongdrel
At some festivals, including Paro, a giant embroidered thangka called a thongdrel is unveiled before sunrise on the final day. Seeing it is considered a blessing.
The atsaras
Masked jesters who tease the crowd, keep order and add humour. Expect to be teased if you sit in the front row.
Beyond Paro and Thimphu
Regional festivals worth the journey
Smaller tshechus feel more local, with fewer visitors and a real village atmosphere. These are the ones our guests ask about most.
6–8 Nov 2027
Chhukha Tshechu
Chhukha district
A district festival in the south-west, easy to combine with an overland trip via Phuentsholing.
6–9 Nov 2027
Pemagatshel Tshechu
Pemagatshel, eastern Bhutan
A rarely visited festival in the east, best on a longer journey through Bumthang and Trongsa.
18–22 Apr 2027
Ura Yakchoe
Ura village, Bumthang
A village festival in a high valley, held as the rhododendrons bloom.
11 Nov 2027
Black-necked Crane Festival
Gangtey Goenpa, Phobjikha
A celebration of the endangered cranes that winter in Phobjikha, with dances by local schoolchildren.
14–17 Nov 2027
Jambay Lhakhang Drup
Bumthang
Held at one of Bhutan’s oldest temples, known for its night-time fire blessing ceremony.
15–17 Nov 2027
Prakhar Duchhoed
Chhumey, Bumthang
A small temple festival with a strong community feel.
6–8 Dec 2027
Mongar Tshechu
Mongar Dzong
A gateway to eastern Bhutan’s culture, in dry, clear winter weather.
13 Dec 2027
Dochula Pass
Held on the pass with views of the Himalaya on a clear day, a short drive from Thimphu.
Festival etiquette
How to be a welcome guest at a tshechu
Festivals are religious events first. A little preparation makes the day better for you and for the families around you.
Dress modestly
Wear long sleeves and long trousers or skirts. Many guests enjoy wearing a gho or kira; your guide can help you buy or borrow one.
Go with your guide
A licensed guide is required for visitors at dzongs and monuments, and your guide will explain each dance as it happens.
Photograph with care
No flash, never step into the dance ground, and do not block the view of local families. Ask before photographing people up close.
Arrive early
Good spots fill quickly, especially on the final day. For the Paro thongdrel, plan to be at the dzong well before dawn.
Sit where locals sit
Bring a light cushion or mat, sit on the edges of the courtyard, and leave the front for elders and monks.
Keep it calm
Speak softly during dances, don’t point at masked dancers, and keep drones at home; flying them needs special permission.
Planning your festival trip
How to plan around a festival
- Book 4–6 months ahead for Paro, Thimphu and Punakha; hotels near the dzongs fill first.
- Spend one or two days at the festival and the rest exploring nearby valleys. Seven to ten days suits most festival trips.
- Arrive at least a day before the festival starts, so a delayed flight does not cost you the dances.
- Your visa needs up to five working days. Apply once your festival dates are confirmed.
- The Sustainable Development Fee is US$100 per adult per night until 31 August 2027.
Festival weather in 2027
- February: cool days, cold nights; Punakha is mild.
- March–April: spring blossom, mostly clear skies.
- June: monsoon rain in Bumthang.
- October–November: the clearest weather of the year.
- December: dry, bright and cold.
FAQ
Bhutan festival questions
Planning around a specific festival? Send us the name and we’ll tell you the latest confirmed dates.
When is tshechu celebrated?
Around the tenth day of a month in the Bhutanese lunar calendar, which is why dates change every year. Each district holds its own tshechu, so there are festivals in most months, with the busiest seasons in spring (February to April) and autumn (October to December).
What are the main festivals of Bhutan this year (2027)?
The largest are Punakha Drubchen and Tshechu (13–18 February), Paro Tshechu (18–22 March), Thimphu Tshechu (10–12 October) and, in Bumthang, Jakar Tshechu (6–9 November) and Jambay Lhakhang Drup (14–17 November). These are tentative dates.
When is Paro Tshechu 2027?
18–22 March 2027 (tentative), at Rinpung Dzong in Paro. The thongdrel is unveiled before sunrise on the final day.
When is Thimphu Tshechu 2027?
10–12 October 2027 (tentative), at Tashichho Dzong. The Thimphu Drubchen is held a few days before, around 5 October.
When is Chhukha Tshechu 2027?
6–8 November 2027 (tentative). In 2026 it was held in October, so check your dates carefully if you are reading older guides.
When is Pemagatshel Tshechu 2027?
6–9 November 2027 (tentative). Pemagatshel is in eastern Bhutan, so allow a longer itinerary of about 12 days.
Are Bhutan's festival dates confirmed?
Not yet. These are tentative dates based on the lunar calendar. Final dates are confirmed closer to the time; we check them before you book flights or anything non-refundable.
Can tourists attend Bhutan festivals?
Yes. Visitors are welcome at public festivals with their licensed guide. Dress modestly, follow your guide’s lead and be respectful when taking photos.
Festival tours 2027
Plan your trip around a festival
Tell us which festival you would love to see. We’ll confirm the dates, reserve hotels close to the dzong and build the rest of your trip around it.
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