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Tshechus & celebrations
Festivals of Bhutan
Masked dances, sacred thongdrels and whole valleys in their finest dress — when and where Bhutan celebrates.
What is a tshechu?
Dances that are prayers
Tshechu means “tenth day”. The festivals honour Guru Rinpoche, and each one is held around the tenth day of a month in the Bhutanese lunar calendar — which is why the dates move every year.
For the people of the valley, attending is an act of faith that brings merit and blessing. For visitors, it is the most colourful and moving way to see Bhutanese culture: monks and laymen dancing stories of good and evil, the clowns (atsaras) teasing the crowd, and families sharing picnics in the dzong courtyard.
About festival dates
Because the calendar is lunar, we give each festival as a season. Dates are confirmed each year — send us your travel window and we will check which festivals fall inside it before you book flights.
Festival calendar
Seven celebrations worth planning around
- Late winter to early spring (often February or March)
Punakha Drubchen & Tshechu
The Drubchen re-enacts a 17th-century battle, with militiamen in traditional dress, before the tshechu dances begin in the dzong.
- Spring (usually March or April)
Paro Tshechu
Five days of masked dances in Paro, closing at dawn with the unveiling of a giant thongdrel on the dzong wall.
- Spring (usually April or May)
Ura Yakchoe
A village festival in Ura, Bumthang, centred on a sacred relic carried from the temple and shown to the community.
- Summer (usually July)
Haa Summer Festival
A celebration of nomadic life in the Haa valley, with local food, games, songs and dances.
- Autumn (usually September or October)
Thimphu Tshechu
The capital's great festival in the courtyard of Tashichho Dzong, drawing families from across the country.
- Autumn (usually October or November)
Jambay Lhakhang Drup
Held at one of Bhutan's oldest temples in Bumthang, famous for its night-time fire blessing.
- Late autumn (usually November)
Black-necked Crane Festival
Schoolchildren and villagers in Phobjikha celebrate the return of the cranes with songs and crane dances.
At the festival
Etiquette for visitors
- Dress respectfully — long sleeves and long trousers or skirts; a gho or kira is welcome
- Seating is not reserved: arrive early and bring a cushion or mat
- Ask your guide before photographing people, and never use flash during the dances
- Do not step into the dance area, and never walk in front of the monks' procession
- The atsaras (clowns) may tease you — laugh along, it is part of the blessing
Festival journeys
Festival
- 8 days
- Thimphu · Punakha · Paro
Time your journey to Paro's spring festival: masked dances in the dzong courtyard and, at dawn on the final day, the unveiling of the great thongdrel.
7 nights · 8 days
Festival
- 8 days
- Thimphu · Punakha · Paro
The capital's great autumn festival at Tashichho Dzong, followed by Punakha's golden rice harvest and the clear skies of the best season in the mountains.
7 nights · 8 days
Plan your journey
Plan a festival journey
Tell us when you would like to travel, who is coming and what draws you to Bhutan. We will reply with a draft itinerary and a personal quotation, then shape it with you until it feels right.
- Every journey is private and tailor-made
- Visa, SDF, hotels, guide and transport handled for you
- No obligation — ask as many questions as you like