Bhutan's public holidays in 2026 include Buddhist religious festivals, royal anniversaries, traditional celebrations and National Day. The Royal Government of Bhutan's Ministry of Home Affairs publishes the official holiday calendar for the Wood Female Snake and Fire Male Horse Year (2025–2026).
On this pageTable of Content
The national calendar contains 15 nationwide holiday categories covering 17 distinct calendar dates, including the two-day Losar celebration and three-day Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the King. Two national observances fall on 1 November. Additional Tshechu holidays apply only in specific districts.
This guide explains Bhutan's official 2026 holiday dates, Buddhist festivals, royal celebrations, regional holidays and practical information for travellers, employees and businesses.
Next Public Holiday in Bhutan
No public holidays found.
Public Holidays in Bhutan 2026
No public holidays found.
The official national schedule is published by the Royal Government of Bhutan's Ministry of Home Affairs.
The calendar includes nationwide Buddhist and traditional holidays, royal anniversaries and national commemorations. Some celebrations extend across several dates, while two separate holidays can fall on the same day.
For 2026, the Ministry's list contains 15 nationwide holiday categories, representing 18 holiday-event entries across 17 distinct calendar dates.
District-specific Tshechu festivals are not included in this nationwide count because their observance is determined by the relevant Dzongkhag Administration.
How Public Holidays Work in Bhutan
Bhutan's public holiday calendar reflects the country's Buddhist traditions, monarchy and national history. The Ministry of Home Affairs issues the government's annual holiday schedule, identifying the official dates for public observances.
Many religious celebrations follow the Bhutanese lunar calendar, so their Gregorian dates change each year. Royal commemorations and National Day generally retain fixed calendar dates.
Public holidays fall into three main categories: nationwide celebrations, multi-day royal or religious observances, and district-specific festivals.
District administrations may confirm additional local Tshechu holidays. These local holidays should not be confused with dates officially designated for nationwide observance.
Buddhist and Traditional Holidays in Bhutan
Several of Bhutan's most important public holidays are associated with Buddhist teachings, traditional seasonal observances and the Bhutanese calendar.
Winter Solstice (Nyilo)
Nyilo is a traditional Bhutanese celebration associated with the winter solstice and the beginning of a new seasonal cycle.
The observance is particularly significant in traditional Bhutanese communities and is associated with seasonal customs, gatherings and expressions of goodwill.
In 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs designated 2 January as the official Winter Solstice holiday.
Traditional Day of Offering
The Traditional Day of Offering, known as Buelwa Phuewi Nyim, is associated with Bhutanese traditions of making offerings and expressing gratitude and respect.
The Ministry of Home Affairs' official 2026 holiday calendar lists the observance on 19 January.
However, the government-owned Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project Authority's institutional holiday schedule lists 18 January 2026.
This is a discrepancy between official published calendars. The national holiday schedule on this page follows the Ministry of Home Affairs' date, but readers requiring confirmation for payroll, institutional closures or legal compliance should verify which official instruction applies.
Losar – Bhutanese New Year
Losar marks the traditional New Year according to the Bhutanese lunar calendar. It is one of Bhutan's most important annual celebrations.
In 2026, Losar welcomes the Fire Male Horse Year and is officially observed on 18 and 19 February.
Families may gather for prayers, traditional meals, cultural activities and visits to religious institutions.
The two dates are separately recognized in the national holiday calendar, meaning Losar represents two calendar days of official observance rather than a single-day holiday.
Zhabdrung Kuchoe
Zhabdrung Kuchoe commemorates the death anniversary of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the religious and political leader credited with unifying Bhutan during the seventeenth century.
The occasion is associated with prayers and remembrance of his contributions to Bhutan's religious and national identity.
The official government holiday falls on 26 April 2026.
Lord Buddha's Parinirvana
Lord Buddha's Parinirvana commemorates the Buddha's passing into final nirvana.
The occasion is significant in Bhutan's Buddhist religious calendar and is marked by spiritual reflection, prayers and religious merit-making activities.
Bhutan's official 2026 calendar places this public holiday on 31 May.
Birth Anniversary of Guru Rinpoche
Guru Rinpoche, also known as Padmasambhava, is among the most revered figures in Bhutanese Buddhism.
His teachings and legacy have profoundly influenced Bhutan's religious traditions, monasteries and sacred sites.
The Birth Anniversary of Guru Rinpoche is a national public holiday, falling on 24 June 2026.
First Sermon of Lord Buddha
The First Sermon of Lord Buddha commemorates the Buddha's first teaching following enlightenment.
Known in Buddhist tradition as the turning of the Wheel of Dharma, the occasion honours the beginning of the Buddha's teaching mission.
Bhutan's government has scheduled the observance for 18 July 2026.
Blessed Rainy Day (Thrue Bab)
Blessed Rainy Day, known as Thrue Bab, is a traditional Bhutanese observance associated with purification and spiritual renewal.
It is widely associated with the belief that water becomes especially blessed during the occasion. Traditional bathing and purification practices form an important part of the celebration.
In 2026, Blessed Rainy Day falls on 23 September.
This date also coincides with the third day of Thimphu Tshechu. The coincidence does not automatically create an additional national or substitute holiday.
Descending Day of Lord Buddha
The Descending Day of Lord Buddha commemorates the Buddha's return from the heavenly realm after teaching his mother.
The observance is associated with Buddhist devotion, prayers and acts of religious merit.
In 2026, the national holiday falls on 1 November, the same date as the Coronation of His Majesty the King.
Although the two celebrations are separately identified in the official holiday list, they occupy one calendar date.
Royal Holidays in Bhutan in 2026
The Bhutanese monarchy is central to the country's national identity. Several official holidays recognize the contributions and important milestones of Bhutan's kings.
Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the King
Bhutan celebrates the Birth Anniversary of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck from 21 to 23 February.
The three-day celebration honours the reigning monarch and is one of the country's major royal observances.
National celebrations may include public ceremonies, prayers, cultural performances and community activities.
All three dates are listed in the Ministry of Home Affairs' 2026 national holiday calendar.
Birth Anniversary of the Third Druk Gyalpo
The Birth Anniversary of the Third Druk Gyalpo, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, is observed on 2 May.
The Third Druk Gyalpo is remembered for major reforms and contributions to Bhutan's modernization.
The observance is also closely associated with the importance of education and national development.
The official public holiday falls on Saturday, 2 May 2026.
Coronation of His Majesty the King
The Coronation of His Majesty the King commemorates the coronation of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
The official holiday is observed on 1 November.
In 2026, the date coincides with the Buddhist Descending Day of Lord Buddha. Both occasions remain independently recognized, but the overlap represents one national holiday date.
Birth Anniversary of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and Constitution Day
The Birth Anniversary of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, is observed on 11 November.
The Fourth Druk Gyalpo is strongly associated with Bhutan's development philosophy of Gross National Happiness and the country's transition toward constitutional democracy.
The Ministry of Home Affairs combines the birthday commemoration with Constitution Day in its official holiday calendar.
In 2026, the combined national observance falls on Wednesday, 11 November.
National Day of Bhutan
Bhutan celebrates National Day annually on 17 December.
The holiday commemorates the coronation of King Ugyen Wangchuck as Bhutan's first hereditary monarch in 1907, marking the establishment of the Wangchuck dynasty.
National Day is one of the country's most important patriotic celebrations, bringing together the monarchy, government institutions and communities.
In 2026, National Day falls on Thursday, 17 December.
The date is included in the official national public holiday calendar issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Dassain (Dashain) in Bhutan
Dassain, also commonly written as Dashain, is a Hindu religious festival celebrated particularly within Bhutan's Lhotshampa and other Hindu communities.
The festival is associated with family gatherings, blessings and the triumph of good over evil.
Bhutan's Ministry of Home Affairs recognizes Dassain as a nationwide public holiday.
In 2026, the official holiday falls on Wednesday, 21 October.
Regional Tshechu Holidays in Bhutan
Tshechu festivals are important religious and cultural events held in different districts of Bhutan. These festivals often include traditional masked dances, prayers and community gatherings.
Unlike nationwide holidays, district-specific Tshechu observances are confirmed by the respective Dzongkhag Administrations.
Thimphu Drubchoe
Thimphu Drubchoe is a traditional religious observance held in the capital.
The Ministry of Home Affairs designates 17 September 2026 as a Thimphu-only holiday.
It is not automatically a public holiday in other districts of Bhutan.
Thimphu Tshechu
Thimphu Tshechu is among Bhutan's best-known annual religious festivals.
The official 2026 government calendar lists the Thimphu-only festival holidays on 21, 22 and 23 September.
The festival features religious performances and traditional masked dances associated with Bhutanese Buddhist practices.
The third day overlaps with Blessed Rainy Day, which is already a nationwide public holiday.
Tshechu Holidays in Other Districts
Other Bhutanese districts hold their own Tshechu festivals at different times of the year.
The Ministry of Home Affairs states that these district-specific holidays will be confirmed by the respective Dzongkhag Administrations.
Travellers and employees should consult the appropriate district authority before relying on a local festival date.
A local Tshechu celebration should not be added to the nationwide public holiday calendar unless it has separately been declared applicable throughout Bhutan.
Do Public Holidays in Bhutan Change Every Year?
Some Bhutanese public holidays change their Gregorian dates each year because they are determined using the Bhutanese lunar calendar.
These include Losar and several major Buddhist religious observances.
Other public holidays, including National Day and major royal birthdays, normally retain fixed Gregorian dates.
The Ministry of Home Affairs publishes the official annual holiday list, allowing residents, employers and visitors to distinguish confirmed holiday dates from provisional or independently calculated festival dates.
Planning Travel Around Bhutan's Public Holidays
Public holidays and religious festivals can affect government services, business operating hours, accommodation demand and travel arrangements.
Tshechu festivals can attract significant numbers of visitors, particularly in popular locations such as Thimphu and other districts with major religious celebrations.
Visitors wishing to attend a Tshechu should check the relevant district's confirmed festival calendar and arrange accommodation and transport accordingly.
National holidays and royal celebrations may also involve ceremonies, cultural gatherings and temporary changes to normal institutional schedules.
Businesses, tourism providers and essential services may operate under different arrangements. Travellers should confirm opening hours directly instead of assuming every establishment will be closed.
Are Banks, Schools and Government Offices Closed on Public Holidays?
Bhutan's government holiday calendar identifies official public holiday dates, but the practical operating arrangements of individual institutions may differ.
Government offices generally follow the officially designated government holiday schedule.
Banks and financial institutions may issue separate operational notices concerning branch services, payment processing and other banking activities.
Schools may have additional academic vacations or education-specific non-teaching days that are not classified as nationwide public holidays.
Essential services, hotels, transport providers and other businesses may continue operating during public holidays according to their applicable arrangements.
For employment or administrative matters, the official institution's notice should take precedence over assumptions based on a general holiday listing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the next public holiday in Bhutan?
The next public holiday depends on the current date. The Next Public Holiday in Bhutan section near the top of this page displays the upcoming holiday using the VisaBoards public holiday database.
How many public holidays are there in Bhutan in 2026?
Bhutan's Ministry of Home Affairs lists 15 nationwide holiday categories for 2026. Multi-day celebrations and overlapping observances produce 18 holiday-event entries across 17 distinct calendar dates. District-specific Tshechu holidays are excluded from this nationwide count.
What is Bhutan's country code?
Bhutan's ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code is BT. This code is used for international country identification and structured public holiday databases.
When is Losar in Bhutan in 2026?
Losar is officially observed on 18 and 19 February 2026, marking the beginning of the Fire Male Horse Year according to the Bhutanese calendar.
When is the King's Birth Anniversary in Bhutan in 2026?
The Birth Anniversary of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is officially observed over three days, from 21 to 23 February 2026.
When is Bhutan National Day in 2026?
Bhutan National Day falls on Thursday, 17 December 2026. It commemorates the establishment of the Wangchuck monarchy in 1907.
Is Traditional Day of Offering on 18 or 19 January 2026?
The Ministry of Home Affairs lists Traditional Day of Offering on 19 January 2026, while the government-owned PHPA-II institutional calendar lists 18 January. The national schedule follows the Ministry's date, but readers should verify the applicable instruction when the discrepancy affects official arrangements.
Are Thimphu Tshechu holidays nationwide public holidays?
No. Thimphu Tshechu holidays are designated specifically for Thimphu. The 2026 festival holidays fall on 21, 22 and 23 September. Other districts determine their own Tshechu holiday arrangements.
Are there two public holidays on 1 November 2026?
Two nationwide celebrations occur on 1 November 2026: the Descending Day of Lord Buddha and the Coronation of His Majesty the King. They represent two official holiday observances on one calendar date, not two separate days off.
Who announces official public holidays in Bhutan?
The Royal Government of Bhutan's Ministry of Home Affairs publishes the national government holiday calendar. Respective Dzongkhag Administrations confirm district-specific Tshechu holidays.
Official Sources for Public Holidays in Bhutan
- Royal Government of Bhutan – Ministry of Home Affairs, Government Holidays 2026: The principal national government holiday calendar covering the Wood Female Snake and Fire Male Horse Year, including nationwide celebrations and Thimphu-specific dates.
- Ministry of Home Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan: Official ministry portal responsible for publishing government holiday information and related announcements.
- Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project Authority – Holiday List 2026: Government-owned institutional calendar identifying gazetted, restricted and location-specific holidays. It also documents the conflicting Traditional Day of Offering date.
Join the conversation
Have thoughts on this topic? Share them with others.
Ask questions, share experience, and learn from the Visaboards Community.