Public Holidays in Bhutan 2026
National public holidays and major traditional observances for 2026
Bhutan’s holiday calendar is closely tied to the Bhutanese lunar calendar, the monarchy and Buddhist religious life. Losar, royal birthdays, major Buddhist observances and National Day all form part of the national calendar, while some tsechu holidays are local rather than nationwide.
Bhutan Public Holidays 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2 | Friday | Winter Solstice / Nyilo |
| Jan 19 | Monday | Traditional Day of Offerings |
| Feb 18 | Wednesday | Losar / Bhutanese New Year |
| Feb 19 | Thursday | Losar Holiday |
| Feb 21 | Saturday | King's Birthday |
| Feb 22 | Sunday | King's Birthday Holiday |
| Feb 23 | Monday | King's Birthday Holiday |
| Apr 26 | Sunday | Zhabdrung Kuchoe |
| May 2 | Saturday | Birth Anniversary of the Third Druk Gyalpo |
| May 31 | Sunday | Buddha's Parinirvana |
| Jun 24 | Wednesday | Birth Anniversary of Guru Rinpoche |
| Jul 18 | Saturday | Buddha's First Sermon |
| Sep 23 | Wednesday | Blessed Rainy Day |
| Oct 21 | Wednesday | Dashain |
| Nov 1 | Sunday | Coronation Day |
| Nov 1 | Sunday | Descending Day of Lord Buddha |
| Nov 11 | Wednesday | Birth Anniversary of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo |
| Dec 17 | Thursday | National Day |
* 2027 dates marked with an asterisk are provisional and should be checked against the final official annual calendar. The 2026 list focuses on nationwide public holidays. District-only tsechu holidays are not included in the national table.
Lunar Calendar, Royal Holidays and Local Tshechus 2026
Bhutan’s national holidays include Losar and several important Buddhist observances, alongside royal anniversaries. Local tsechu festivals can also create district-level holidays, so a Thimphu or Wangdue calendar may include days that are not nationwide.
Holiday Rules in Bhutan
Many Buddhist and traditional dates follow the Bhutanese lunar calendar and are announced annually. Royal anniversaries and National Day have fixed Gregorian dates. District-level tsechus should not be treated as national public holidays.
Bhutan Holiday Calendar: What to Know
- Losar is the Bhutanese New Year and a major national holiday.
- National Day is observed on 17 December.
- Several Buddhist holidays move each year with the lunar calendar.
- Some tsechu holidays apply only in particular districts.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Bhutan National Day?
National Day is observed on 17 December.
Is Losar a public holiday in Bhutan?
Yes. Losar is one of Bhutan’s major national public holidays.
Are all Bhutan festival holidays nationwide?
No. Some tsechu holidays are local to particular districts.
Why are many 2027 dates marked provisional?
Bhutan’s movable Buddhist and traditional dates follow the lunar calendar and the official 2027 calendar had not yet been announced when this page was verified.
Sources & methodology
View sources used for this page
Government-owned project authority 2026 gazetted/restricted holiday calendar with local-scope notes.
Independent calendar cross-check used for date, weekday and observed-day review. Government notices and statutory rules take precedence where they differ.
Source hierarchy: government, statutory or institutional material is the primary reference. Timeanddate is retained only as an independent cross-check; later official declarations take precedence.