Festivals
Tshechu: Bhutan’s festivals of masked dance
Held in dzong and temple courtyards across the country, Tshechus bring whole communities together in their finest dress.
What is a Tshechu?
Tshechus are religious festivals honouring Guru Rinpoche. Monks and lay dancers perform sacred cham mask dances over several days, and families come dressed in their best gho and kira. At some festivals a giant embroidered thangkha (thongdrel) is unrolled at dawn on the final day.
Bhutan has well over a hundred festivals a year. Dates follow the Bhutanese lunar calendar, so they move every year.
Dates are to be confirmed. The dates below are the official tentative 2026 dates and are shown only as a guide to the season. Dates for next year will be confirmed from the official list — please ask us before booking flights.
Popular festivals
| Festival | Venue | Usual season | 2026 (official tentative) | Next year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punakha Drubchen & Tshechu | Punakha Dzong, Punakha | Late winter / early spring (Feb–Mar) | 24 Feb – 1 Mar tentative | To be confirmed |
| Paro Tshechu | Rinpung Dzong, Paro | Spring (Mar–Apr); giant thangkha (thongdrel) shown on the last morning | 29 Mar – 2 Apr tentative | To be confirmed |
| Thimphu Tshechu | Tashichho Dzong, Thimphu | Autumn (Sep–Oct) | 21 – 23 Sep tentative | To be confirmed |
| Jambay Lhakhang Drup | Jambay Lhakhang, Bumthang | Autumn (Oct–Nov) | 26 – 29 Oct tentative | To be confirmed |
| Black-Necked Crane Festival | Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha | November | 11 Nov tentative | To be confirmed |
| Druk Wangyel Tshechu | Dochula Pass, near Thimphu | December | 13 Dec tentative | To be confirmed |
Source: Department of Tourism tentative festival list via bhutan.travel. Festival dates can change at short notice.
Festival etiquette
- Dress modestly; long sleeves and smart clothes are appreciated.
- Ask your guide before taking photos and never use flash during dances.
- Do not walk across the dance ground; follow your guide’s lead.
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