Bhutan Festival Calendar

Losar, the Bhutanese New Year, is the kingdom's most cherished celebration - observed not in dzong courtyards but in homes across the country. Families clean and decorate their houses, fry khapse pastries, make the first offerings of the year at dawn, and spend the days feasting, playing archery and khuru, and hoisting fresh prayer flags for the year ahead.

Three-day religious ceremony featuring sacred mask dances at Trongsa Dzong.

Commemorates Bhutan's victory over Tibetan invaders with dramatic reenactments and mask dances.

One of the oldest festivals held at the stunning Punakha Dzong with sacred mask dances.

Two-week festival where pilgrims circumambulate the large white stupa modeled after Boudhanath.

Unfurling of the giant sacred thongdrol (religious scroll) at Tharpaling Monastery.

Religious festival featuring prayers and ceremonies at Tangsibi village.

Two-week festival where pilgrims circumambulate the large white stupa modeled after Boudhanath.

Festival at the remote northern Gasa Dzong, featuring unique highland culture.

Pilgrimage festival at Gom Kora temple with overnight rituals and celebrations.

Village festival at Talo Monastery, birthplace of the Queen Grandmother.

Traditional Tshechu celebrations in the remote Zhemgang district.

Bhutan's most famous festival featuring five days of sacred mask dances and the unveiling of a giant thongdrol at dawn.

A week-long celebration of eastern Bhutan's rhododendron bloom, when the hillsides around Trashigang turn shades of crimson and pink. Expect guided nature walks among the flowering forests, local food stalls, and cultural performances - a quieter, nature-focused alternative to the dzong festivals.

Village festival in the picturesque Chumey Valley of Bumthang.

Unique festival in Ura Valley celebrating the arrival of a sacred relic, with nomadic traditions.

Celebration of Bhutan's national flower with exhibitions, hikes, and cultural performances.

Summer festival at Nimalung Monastery with traditional mask dances.

Sacred festival at Kurjey Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's most important pilgrimage sites.

World's toughest single-day mountain bike race covering 268km from Bumthang to Thimphu.

Elaborate religious ceremony preceding Thimphu Tshechu with sacred rituals.

Festival held after the reconstruction of Wangdue Dzong, featuring traditional dances.

Unique "naked dance" festival at Tamshing Monastery in Bumthang.

The capital's biggest festival with three days of mask dances at Tashichho Dzong.

Festival in the beautiful Phobjikha Valley at Gangtey Goenpa monastery.

Celebration of mountain culture with yak shows, traditional sports, and highland performances.

Fire blessing festival at Thangbi Lhakhang with unique fire rituals.

Celebration of nomadic highland culture with yak pageants, traditional sports, and hot springs.

Festival in the southern district near the Indian border.

Festival in the pristine Haa Valley showcasing unique local traditions.

Major festival at Jakar Dzong with traditional mask dances and cultural performances.

Festival in the eastern district known for its bamboo crafts and unique traditions.

One-day festival honoring the protective deity at Dechenphu temple near Thimphu.

Celebration of the endangered black-necked cranes' arrival in Phobjikha Valley.

Famous fire festival with naked fire dance (Mewang) and Tercham at midnight.

Religious ceremony at Traakar (White Rock) monastery.

Religious ceremony at Trongsa Dzong.

Major eastern Bhutan festival at Mongar Dzong.

Festival in the border town of Phuntsholing.

Largest festival in eastern Bhutan at Trashigang Dzong.

Festival at Dochula Pass honoring the King, with spectacular mountain backdrop.

Lion dance performance at the ancient Jambay Lhakhang temple.

Festival at Nalakhar monastery in Bumthang.