Public holidays
Bhutan: 17 public holiday dates in 2026 (17 days off) and 18 in 2027 (18 days off), with 251 working days in 2026 and 250 in 2027. National holidays only: regional ones are not included.
| Date | ISO week | Holiday | Day off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday 2 January 2026 | 2026-W01 | Winter Solstice | Yes |
| Monday 19 January 2026 | 2026-W04 | Traditional Day of Offering | Yes |
| Wednesday 18 February 2026 | 2026-W08 | Losar | Yes |
| Thursday 19 February 2026 | 2026-W08 | Losar | Yes |
| Saturday 21 February 2026 | 2026-W08 | Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the King | Yes |
| Sunday 22 February 2026 | 2026-W08 | Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the King | Yes |
| Monday 23 February 2026 | 2026-W09 | Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the King | Yes |
| Sunday 26 April 2026 | 2026-W17 | Death Anniversary of Zhabdrung | Yes |
| Saturday 2 May 2026 | 2026-W18 | Birth Anniversary of the 3rd Druk Gyalpo | Yes |
| Sunday 31 May 2026 | 2026-W22 | Lord Buddha's Parinirvana | Yes |
| Wednesday 24 June 2026 | 2026-W26 | Birth Anniversary of Guru Rinpoche | Yes |
| Saturday 18 July 2026 | 2026-W29 | First Sermon of Lord Buddha | Yes |
| Wednesday 23 September 2026 | 2026-W39 | Blessed Rainy Day | Yes |
| Wednesday 21 October 2026 | 2026-W43 | Dassain | Yes |
| Sunday 1 November 2026 | 2026-W44 | Coronation of His Majesty the King | Yes |
| Wednesday 11 November 2026 | 2026-W46 | Birth Anniversary of the 4th Druk Gyalpo - Constitution Day | Yes |
| Thursday 17 December 2026 | 2026-W51 | National Day | Yes |
| Date | ISO week | Holiday | Day off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday 2 January 2027 | 2026-W53 | Winter Solstice | Yes |
| Friday 8 January 2027 | 2027-W01 | Traditional Day of Offering | Yes |
| Sunday 7 February 2027 | 2027-W05 | Losar | Yes |
| Monday 8 February 2027 | 2027-W06 | Losar | Yes |
| Sunday 21 February 2027 | 2027-W07 | Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the King | Yes |
| Monday 22 February 2027 | 2027-W08 | Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the King | Yes |
| Tuesday 23 February 2027 | 2027-W08 | Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the King | Yes |
| Friday 16 April 2027 | 2027-W15 | Death Anniversary of Zhabdrung | Yes |
| Sunday 2 May 2027 | 2027-W17 | Birth Anniversary of the 3rd Druk Gyalpo | Yes |
| Thursday 20 May 2027 | 2027-W20 | Lord Buddha's Parinirvana | Yes |
| Sunday 13 June 2027 | 2027-W23 | Birth Anniversary of Guru Rinpoche | Yes |
| Friday 6 August 2027 | 2027-W31 | First Sermon of Lord Buddha | Yes |
| Friday 24 September 2027 | 2027-W38 | Blessed Rainy Day | Yes |
| Saturday 9 October 2027 | 2027-W40 | Dassain | Yes |
| Monday 1 November 2027 | 2027-W44 | Coronation of His Majesty the King | Yes |
| Thursday 11 November 2027 | 2027-W45 | Birth Anniversary of the 4th Druk Gyalpo - Constitution Day | Yes |
| Saturday 20 November 2027 | 2027-W46 | Descending Day of Lord Buddha | Yes |
| Friday 17 December 2027 | 2027-W50 | National Day | Yes |
| Holiday | 2026 | 2027 | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Sermon of Lord Buddha | Saturday 18 July 2026 | Friday 6 August 2027 | +19 days, changes month |
| Dassain | Wednesday 21 October 2026 | Saturday 9 October 2027 | −12 days |
| Traditional Day of Offering | Monday 19 January 2026 | Friday 8 January 2027 | −11 days |
| Lord Buddha's Parinirvana | Sunday 31 May 2026 | Thursday 20 May 2027 | −11 days |
| Birth Anniversary of Guru Rinpoche | Wednesday 24 June 2026 | Sunday 13 June 2027 | −11 days |
| Death Anniversary of Zhabdrung | Sunday 26 April 2026 | Friday 16 April 2027 | −10 days |
| Blessed Rainy Day | Wednesday 23 September 2026 | Friday 24 September 2027 | +1 day |
A shift ignores the year: +19 days means 19 days later in the calendar.
| Month | 2026 | 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| February | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| March | 22 | 23 | +1 |
| April | 22 | 21 | −1 |
| May | 21 | 20 | −1 |
| June | 21 | 22 | +1 |
| July | 23 | 22 | −1 |
| August | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| September | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| October | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| November | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| December | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| Q1 | 59 | 60 | +1 |
| Q2 | 64 | 63 | −1 |
| Q3 | 65 | 64 | −1 |
| Q4 | 63 | 63 | 0 |
| Year | 251 | 250 | −1 |
Weekdays by the local weekend (Sunday and Saturday), minus the public holidays most people have off.
Nyilo ("return of the sun") is considered the most auspicious day of the year. In some parts of western Bhutan it is celebrated like a new year, though more so in the central and eastern regions, where the shortest day is marked with archery and feasting.
At work: Welcome to mention. A day off.
Usually falling in January or February, on the first day of the 12th month of the calendar. It gives thanks to Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of Bhutan, and focuses on charity, particularly feeding others, and recreation. It is celebrated with feasting and traditional sports, including archery, digor and khuru (darts).
At work: Welcome to mention. A day off.
Dawa Dangpa Losar, the Bhutanese New Year, falls on the first day of the first month of the Bhutanese lunar calendar, usually between February and March. Festivities last 15 days, and beforehand people spend much time preparing food and alcohol and cleaning their homes of old and unused objects. The common greeting is "Losar Tashi Delek".
At work: Very welcome to mention. Expect a long festive period.
21–23 February commemorate the birth anniversary of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the fifth and current Druk Gyalpo.
At work: Welcome to mention. A few days off.
Zhabdrung Kuchoe marks the passing of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of Bhutan, in 1651 at Punakha Dzong. It is observed on the 10th day of the 3rd month of the Bhutanese calendar and is a national day of mourning.
At work: A solemn day; mention it only with respect. A day off.
2 May is the birth anniversary of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the third Druk Gyalpo, who began Bhutan's first steps toward modernisation. The day is also celebrated as Teachers' Day, when students put on programmes of dance and song, give cards to teachers and sometimes take over their classes.
At work: Welcome to mention. A day off.
Duechen Nga Zom is observed on the 15th day of the 4th month of the Bhutanese calendar. It is held to be the day the Buddha was conceived, born, subdued evil, gained enlightenment and attained Nirvana, and is one of the most auspicious days for Buddhists.
At work: Welcome to mention. A day off.
Observed on the 10th day of the 5th month of the Bhutanese calendar.
At work: Welcome to mention. A day off.
Drugpa Tshezhi, or Chokhor Duechen, is observed on the 4th day of the 6th month of the Bhutanese calendar and is one of the holiest days in the Buddhist calendar. On this day the Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath, turning the first wheel of the dharma.
At work: Welcome to mention. A day off.
Thruebab generally falls around 23 September and is held on an auspicious day during the monsoon season. It is marked by feasting, drinking alcohol, playing traditional sports and purification through washing. The traditional holiday was recently reinstated as a public holiday.
At work: Welcome to mention. A day off.
Dashain is the main Nepalese Hindu festival. During it houses are cleaned and replastered, gifts are exchanged and families gather. It has been a public holiday in Bhutan.
At work: Welcome to mention. A day off.
1 November marks the coronation of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the fifth and current Druk Gyalpo, in 2008.
At work: Welcome to mention. A day off.
11 November is the birth anniversary of Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the fourth Druk Gyalpo. It is also called Constitution Day: the Constitution of Bhutan was enacted under this king and at his behest.
At work: Welcome to mention. A day off.
17 December marks the coronation of Ugyen Wangchuck in 1907 as the first Druk Gyalpo (king) of Bhutan, which established the hereditary monarchy. National Day was first observed in 1971. It is a tribute to the monarchs and a celebration of unity.
At work: Very welcome to mention. A day off, with government offices closed.
Lhabab Duchen is observed on the 22nd day of the 9th month of the Bhutanese lunar calendar and marks the Buddha's return to Earth after attaining Nirvana. In the eastern regions it is a popular occasion for Lhasoel, religious offerings of ara (traditional wine), blessings and supplications.
At work: Welcome to mention. A day off.
Open Bhutan in TimeBento, next to the other places you work with.