Public Holidays in Bhutan for 2026
National Public Holidays:
| Date | Day | Holiday Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2 January | Friday | Winter Solstice (Nyilo) |
| 19 January | Monday | Traditional Day of Offerings |
| 18 February | Wednesday | Losar (New Year) – Day 1 |
| 19 February | Thursday | Losar Holiday – Day 2 |
| 21 February | Saturday | Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the King |
| 22 February | Sunday | King’s Birthday Holiday |
| 23 February | Monday | King’s Birthday Holiday |
| 26 April | Sunday | Death Anniversary of Zhabdrung (Zhabdrung Kuchoe) |
| 2 May | Saturday | Birth Anniversary of the Third Druk Gyalpo |
| 31 May | Sunday | Lord Buddha’s Parinirvana |
| 24 June | Wednesday | Birth Anniversary of Guru Rinpoche |
| 18 July | Saturday | Buddha’s First Sermon (Drukpa Tshezhi) |
| 23 September | Wednesday | Blessed Rainy Day |
| 21 October | Wednesday | Dashain (Dassain) |
| 1 November | Sunday | Coronation of the Fifth King / Descending Day of Lord Buddha |
| 11 November | Wednesday | Birth Anniversary of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo |
| 17 December | Thursday | National Day |
-
Regional/Municipal Holidays – Thimphu Only
Date
Day
Holiday
Notes
Sep 17
Thursday
Thimphu Drubchoe
Thimphu dzongkhag only
Sep 21
Monday
Thimphu Tshechu
Thimphu dzongkhag only
Sep 22
Tuesday
Thimphu Tshechu Holiday
Thimphu dzongkhag only
Sep 23
Wednesday
Thimphu Tshechu Holiday
Thimphu dzongkhag only
Regional/Local Holidays (mainly in Thimphu): Thimphu Drubchoe (17 Sep) and Thimphu Tshechu (21–23 Sep). These are not national but observed locally.
- Some dates in Bhutan follow the lunar calendar, so minor variations can occasionally occur, but the above are the confirmed 2026 dates from reliable sources.
- Planning a trip? 2026 festival dates are already being shared by tour operators. Popular festival season runs Apr-Oct with events like Rhododendron Festival, Matsutake Festival, Black-Necked Crane Festival, and Royal Highland Festival