Bhutan Travel Guide - Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

2008
8 Aug Independence Day.
24 Sep Blessed Rainy Day.
5 Oct Thimphu Drupchen Dromchoe.
9, 10, 11 Oct Thimphu Tsechu.
9 Oct Dashain.  
6-8 Nov Coronation celebrations of the fifth king.
11 Nov Birthday of the fourth King HM Jigme Singye Wangchuck.
19 Nov Descending Day of Lord Buddha.
17 Dec National Day of Bhutan.

2009
8 Aug Independence Day.
11 Nov Birthday of the fourth King HM Jigme Singye Wangchuck.
17 Dec National Day of Bhutan.
Other dates to be confirmed.

The traditional Buddhist holidays are observed, including Day of Offerings, Losar (New Year), Shabdung Kuchoey, Lord Buddha's Parinirvana, Birthday of Guru Rinpoche, First Sermon of Lord Buddha, Thimphu Tsechu and Thimphu Tsechu Dromchoe and the Descending Days of Lord Buddha. Also to be noted are the Winter Solstice, Blessed Rainy Day, the Meeting of Nine Evils, Dashain, the National Day and royal anniversaries. The Buddhist festivals are declared according to local astronomical observations and it is not possible to forecast the date of their occurrence. Please contact local authorities for the latest dates. Dates of smaller festivals are liable to change at short notice.