Bhutan Festival Dates 2020-21
Bhutan Festival in the Land of the Thunder Dragon are rich and happy expressions of its ancient Buddhist culture. These festivals are held in all districts in honour of Guru Rinpoche, the saint who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century. Tsechus are held on auspicious days and months in the Bhutanese calendar, and last up to four days in which a series of highly stylised masked dance rituals are performed.
Festivals are also a big family and social occasion. People dress up in their finest clothes and most resplendent jewelry of coral and turquoise. They pack picnic lunches in their traditional bamboo baskets and stay all day at the festivals which are usually held in the dzongs (fortresses) or at monasteries.
Behind the scenes, the monks prepare themselves for weeks ahead of the festival, involved in deep prayer and meditation prior to the festival. The monks perform special masked dances that are inspirations of enlightened beings in history; and the Bhutanese believe that watching these mystical dances is essential to gain enlightenment
Source: Tourism Council of Bhutan
BHUTAN FESTIVAL DATES FOR 2017 & 2018 -(Provided by Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators)
| NAME | TOWN | DATES |
| Punakha Drubchen | Punakha | Mar 02 – Mar 04, 2020 |
| Punakha Tshechu | Punakha | Mar 05 – Mar 07, 2020 |
| Chhorten Kora | Trashi Yangtse | Mar 09 – Mar 24, 2020 |
| Tharpaling Thongdrol | Bumthang | Mar 09, 2020 |
| Zhemgang Tshechu | Zemgang | Apr 01 – Apr 03, 2020 |
| Talo Tshechu | Punakha | Apr 01 – Apr 03, 2020 |
| Gasa Tshechu | Gasa | Apr 01 – Apr 03, 2020 |
| Gomphukora | Trashigang | Apr 01 – Apr 03, 2020 |
| Paro Tshechu | Paro | Apr 04 – Apr 08, 2020 |
| Rhododendron Festival | Thimpu | Apr 17 – Apr 19, 2020 |
| Domkhar Tshechu | Bumthang | May 02 – May 04, 2020 |
| Ura Yakchoe | Bumthang | May 04 – May 08, 2020 |
| Nimalung Tshechu | Bumthang | Jun 28 – Jun 30, 2020 |
| Kurjey Tshechu | Bumthang | Jun 30, 2020 |
| Haa Summer Festival | Ha Valley | Jul 11- Jul 12, 2020 |
| Mushroom Festival | Thimpu | Aug 15 – Aug 16, 2020 |
| Tour of the Dragon | Bumthang | Sep 05, 2020 |
| Thimphu Drubchen | Thimpu | Sep 22, 2020 |
| Wangdue Tshechu | Wangdu Phodrang | Sep 24, 2020 Sep 26, 2020 |
| Tamshing Phala Chhoepa | Bumthang | Sep 26, 2020 Sep 28, 2020 |
| Tamshing Phala Chhoepa | Bumthang | |
| Thimphu Tshechu | Thimpu | Sep 26 – Sep 28, 2020 |
| Gangtey Tshechu | Wangdue Phodrang | Sep 29 – Oct 01, 2020 |
| Thangbi Mani | Bumthang | Sep 30 – Oct 02, 2020 |
| Jhomolhari Mountain Festival | Thimpu | Oct 14 – Oct 15, 2020 |
| Jakar Tshechu | Bumthang | Oct 23 – Oct 27, 2020 |
| Royal Highland Festival | Gasa | Oct 23 – Oct 24, 2020 |
| Chhukha Tshechu | Chukha | Oct 24 – Oct 26, 2020 |
| Dechenphu Tshechu | Thimpu | Oct 26, 2020 |
| Jambay Lhakhang Drup | Bumthang | Oct 31 – Nov 03, 2020 |
| Prakhar Duchhoed | Bumthang | Nov 01 – Nov 03, 2020 |
| Bhutan Bird Festival | Zemkhang | Nov 11 – Nov 13, 2020 |
| Black Necked Crane Festival | Wangdue Phodrang | Nov 11, 2020 |
| Pemagatshel Tshechu | Pemagatshel | Nov 21 – Nov 24, 2020 |
| Trashigang Tshechu | Trashigang | Nov 22 – Nov 24, 2020 |
| Mongar Tshechu | Mongar | Nov 22 – Nov 24, 2020 |
| Nalakhar Tshechu | Bumthang | Nov 30 – Dec 02, 2020 |
| Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham | Bumthang | Nov 30, 2020 |
| Druk Wangyel Tshechu | Thimpu | Dec 13, 2020 |
| Lhuentse Tshechu | Lhuentse | Dec 23 – Dec 25, 2020 |
| Trongsa Tshechu | Trongsa | Dec 23 – Dec 25, 2020 |
| Nabji Lhakhang Drup | Trongsa | Dec 29 – Dec 31, 2020 |
NOTE: Religious Bhutan festival dates 2020 are tentative so please confirm with your tour operator prior to confirming your holiday plan.
Some useful Bhutanese phrases during tours
Hello : Ku-zu-zam-po-la (meaning good health)
Thank You : Ka din chey la
See you : Lok jey gay
Good bye : Lus la “or” Laso la
