Festivals are also a big family and social occasions. 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.
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| SL/NO | FESTIVALS | PLACES | DATES |
| 1 | Punakha Drubchen | Punakha Dzong, Punakha | 19th – 21st February |
| 2 | Punakha Tshechu | Punakha Dzong, Punakha | 22nd -24th February |
| 3 | Tharpaling Thongdrol | Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chumi, Bumthang | 27th February |
| 4 | Zhuri Duechoe | Zhuri Lhakhang, Chumig Bumthang | 9th -10th March |
| 5 | Gadhen Choedpa | Ura Lhakhang, Ura Bumthang | 12th -13th March |
| 6 | Kharchu Drubchen | Kharchu Lhakhang, Thromdey Bumthang | 13th March |
| 7 | Gomphukora | Trashigang | 21st -23rd March |
| 8 | Talo Tshechu | Talo Gonpa, Punakha | 21st -23rd March |
| 9 | Gasa Tshechu | Gasa Dzong, Gasa | 21st -23rd March |
| 10 | Zhemgang Tshechu | Zhemgang Dzong, Zhemgang | 21st -23rd March |
| 11 | aro Tshechu | Rinpung Dzong, Paro | 24th -28th March (Thongdrel on last day) |
| 12 | Chhorten Kora | Chorten Kora, Trashiyangtshe | 27th February & 13th March |
| 13 | Rhododendron Festival | Lamperi Botanical Garden, Dochula, Thimphu | 16th – 18th April |
| 14 | Domkhar Tshechu | Domkhar, Chumig, Bumthang. | 22nd -24th April |
| 15 | Ura Yakchoe | Ura Lhakhang, Bumthang | 24th – 28th April |
| 16 | Pedtsheling Kuchoe | Pedtsheling Lhakhang,Chokhor Bumthang | 30th May-1st June |
| 17 | Nimalung Tendra | Nimalung Dratshang, Chumig, Bumthang | 18th – 20th June |
| 18 | Kurjey Tshechu | Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 20th June |
| 19 | Haa Summer Festival | Haa | 10th & 11th July |
| 20 | Mushroom Festival | Genekha, Thimphu. | 15th & 16th August |
| 21 | Masutaki Mushroom Festival | Ura, Bumthang | 23rd & 24th August |
| 22 | Tour of the Dragon (Bicycle Race) | Bumthang to Thimphu | 7th September |
| 23 | Thimphu Drubchen | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu | 12th September |
| 24 | Wangdue Tshechu | Tencholing Army Ground, Wangduephodrang. | 14th – 16th September |
| 25 | Tamshing Phala Chhoepa | Tamshing lhakhang, Chokhor, Bumthang | 16th – 18th September |
| 26 | Thimphu Tshechu | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu | 16th – 18th September |
| 27 | Gangtey Tshechu | Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha,Wangduephodrang. | 18th – 20th September (Thongdrel on last day) |
| 28 | Thangbi Mewang | Tangbi Lhakhang, Chokhor, Bumthang | 19th – 21st September |
| 29 | Jhomolhari Mountain Festival | Dangochong, Thimphu | 14th & 15th October |
| 30 | Chhukha Tshechu | Chhukha Dzong, Chhukha | 13th – 15th October |
| 31 | Jakar Tshechu | Jakar Dzong, Thromdey, Bumthang. | 12th – 16th October |
| 32 | Ugyencholing Kangsoel | Ugyencholing Lhakhang, Tang, Bumthang | 13th – 15th October |
| 33 | Dechenphu Tshechu | Dechenphu Lhakhang, Thimphu | 15th October |
| 34 | Takar Duechoe | Chumig, Bumthang | 20th -23rd October |
| 35 | Jambay Lhakhang Drup | Jambay Lhakhang, Chokhor, Bumthang | 21st -23th October |
| 36 | Prakhar Duchhoed | Prakar Lhakhang, Chumni, Bumthang | 21st –23rd October |
| 37 | Royal Highland Festival | Laya, Gasa | 23th – 24th October |
| 38 | Sumthrang Kangsoel | Ura, Bumthang | 2nd – 3rd November |
| 39 | Black Necked Crane Festival | Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang. | 11th November |
| 40 | Mongar Tshechu | Mongar Dzong, Mongar | 12th – 14th November |
| 41 | Trashigang Tshechu | Trashigang Dzong, Trashigang. | 12th – 14th November |
| 42 | Pemagatshel Tshechu | Pemagatshel Dzong, Pemagatshel. | 12th – 14th November (Thongdral on last day) |
| 43 | Tang Namkhar Rabney | Tang, Bumthang | 14th -17th November |
| 44 | Chojang Rabney | Tang, Bumthang | 18th -22nd November |
