A guide to Bhutan's festivals

All dates are tentative.

• 19–21 September 2026

  Wangdue Tshechu

  Wangdue Phodrang Dzong

• 21–23 September 2026

  Tamshing Phala Chhoepa

  Tamshing Lhakhang

• 21–23 September 2026

  Thimphu Tshechu

  Tashichho Dzong

• 24–26 September 2026

  Gangtey Tshechu

  Gangtey Goenpa

• 26–27 September 2026

  Thangbi Mewang

  Thangbi Lhakhang

• 14–15 October 2026

  Jomolhari Mountain Festival

  Dangochong

• All festivals

  Every festival in the guide, grouped under western, central and eastern Bhutan.

  Browse all festivals

• Guru Tshengye

  Guru Tshengye presents the eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche in dance. Guru Rinpoche introduced Vajrayana Buddhism across the Himalayas in the 8th century. The thongdrels (giant appliqué scrolls) of Paro Tshechu and Gomphu Kora show the eight manifestations too.

• Shinje Yab Yum

  Shinje Yab Yum is the Dance of the Lord of Death and his Consort. At Nalakhar Tshechu in Bumthang, a local version called Sachak Namchak ("to break open both the ground and the sky") is danced in yak masks, and a monkey carrying an incense burner opens it.

• Drametse Ngacham

  Drametse Ngacham (the Mask Dance of the Drums from Drametse) comes from a vision of Guru Rinpoche's paradise. Kunga Gyaltshen, a descendant of Pema Lingpa, had the vision at Drametse monastery in eastern Bhutan. Sixteen masked men dance it to a ten-man orchestra of cymbals, trumpets and drums. A calm section of peaceful deities alternates with a rapid section of wrathful deities. UNESCO inscribed it on the Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative List in 2008.

• Atsara

  Atsara (masked clowns) work the crowd between dances, with comedy, crowd control and spiritual encouragement. They also assist the dancers. Their name comes from the Sanskrit acarya ("philosophy master"). At Gomphu Kora in eastern Bhutan, the big-nosed atsara makes fun of dignitaries and of visitors' cameras.