Home / Culture / Tshechu Calendar

Culture & Etiquette

Tshechu Festival Calendar

Tshechus are masked dance festivals held at dzongs across Bhutan — 3–5 days each, held on the 10th day of each lunar month. The Paro Tshechu is the most famous; Bumthang's Jambay Lhakhang Drub is the most ancient. This page lists every major tshechu, with typical dates, what to expect, and a photo note.

Paro Tshechu

Most famous

Paro Dzong courtyard. 4 days. Held late March to early April. Masked Cham dances; final day unveils the giant thangka (thongdroel).

Typical window: Mar 20 – Apr 5

Photos: courtyard OK; temple no

Crowd: very high; book hotels early

Thimphu Tshechu

Capital

Tashichho Dzong. 3 days. Held Sep/Oct. Most accessible — staged in the capital.

Typical window: Sep 25 – Oct 5

Photos: courtyard OK

Crowd: high

Punakha Tshechu

Punakha Dzong

Punakha Dzong. 3 days. Held Feb/Mar. Held in front of the famous dzong overlooking two rivers.

Typical window: Feb 20 – Mar 5

Photos: courtyard OK

Crowd: moderate

Jambay Lhakhang Drub

Most ancient

Bumthang. Late Oct / early Nov. One of Bhutan's oldest festivals with fire ritual and naked dance (locals only).

Typical window: Oct 25 – Nov 5

Photos: limited, fire dance sacred

Crowd: moderate

Trashigang Tshechu

Eastern

Trashigang. 3 days. Late Nov / early Dec. Eastern local flavor; smaller crowds.

Typical window: Nov 25 – Dec 5

Photos: courtyard OK

Crowd: low (rare)

Gangtey Tshechu

Phobjikha

Phobjikha Valley. Held Oct/Nov. Combines with Black-necked Crane Festival.

Typical window: Nov 11

Photos: courtyard OK

Crowd: low

Haa Tshechu

Restricted

Haa Valley. Summer date. Restricted area permit required.

Typical window: Jul

Photos: courtyard OK

Crowd: low (Haa has few tourists)

Ura Tshechu

Bumthang east

Ura village, eastern Bumthang. Spring. Folk-dance flavour; locals dance alongside monks.

Typical window: Apr

Photos: yes

Crowd: very low

What this solves

Most travel sites list "Paro Tshechu in spring" and stop. But there are tshechus in every region every month, and they offer a glimpse of Bhutanese spiritual life you can't get from a dzong tour alone. This page maps them.

How to use the calendar

Dates vary by lunar calendar — confirm with your operator 2 months before travel.
Some tshechus are local-only and won't appear on international calendars.
For photography, the courtyard is fine; the temple is not.

Limitations

Dates follow the Bhutanese lunar calendar and shift yearly.
"Typical window" is approximate; verify the exact date with DoT or your operator.
Some festivals have rituals (e.g. fire ceremony) where photography is restricted.

FAQ

Are tshechus free?

Yes — no entry fee. Donations to the dzong are appreciated.

What should I wear?

Modest dress — same as dzong. See Dress Code.

Sources

Bhutan Department of Tourism — Tshechu calendar