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.

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.

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.