Bhutan celebrates several public holidays throughout the year, each with its own cultural, historical, and religious significance. These holidays are observed with various traditions, ceremonies, and festivities, reflecting the unique heritage and traditions of the country. In this guide, we will explore the public holidays in Bhutan for the year 2024, providing detailed descriptions of each holiday along with information on the groups entitled to days off.
New Year’s Day – January 1, 2024
New Year’s Day in Bhutan is celebrated according to the Bhutanese lunar calendar, which usually falls in February or March. Known as Losar, it is one of the most important festivals in Bhutan, marked by traditional rituals, cultural performances, and family gatherings. Losar signifies the beginning of the Bhutanese New Year and is a time for reflection, purification, and renewal.
Days off: New Year’s Day (Losar) is a public holiday in Bhutan, observed by government offices, businesses, and schools, providing several days off for employees and students to celebrate with their families.
Birth Anniversary of Guru Rinpoche – February 7, 2024
The Birth Anniversary of Guru Rinpoche, also known as Guru Padmasambhava, is celebrated in Bhutan to honor the revered Buddhist master who introduced Buddhism to the country in the 8th century. It is observed with prayers, religious rituals, and cultural events, including masked dances known as cham dances, which depict episodes from Guru Rinpoche’s life.
Days off: The Birth Anniversary of Guru Rinpoche is a public holiday in Bhutan, observed by government offices, businesses, and schools, providing a day off for employees and students to participate in religious and cultural activities.
National Day – December 17, 2024
National Day in Bhutan commemorates the coronation of Ugyen Wangchuck as the first King of Bhutan on December 17, 1907. It is a day of national pride and celebration, marked by colorful parades, traditional dances, and other cultural performances. National Day reaffirms the unity and sovereignty of the Bhutanese nation and is celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country.
Days off: National Day is a public holiday in Bhutan, observed by government offices, businesses, and schools, providing a day off for employees and students to participate in the festivities and celebrations.
Traditional Day of Offering – December 29, 2024
The Traditional Day of Offering, known as Thrue-Bab, is an important religious observance in Bhutan. It is dedicated to making offerings to local deities and spirits as a way to appease them and seek their blessings for the coming year. Thrue-Bab is observed with rituals performed by Buddhist monks and traditional ceremonies conducted by communities throughout the country.
Days off: The Traditional Day of Offering is not typically a public holiday in Bhutan, but it may be observed by individuals and communities with time off from work or school to participate in religious and cultural activities.
Table: Summary of Public Holidays in Bhutan 2024
| Holiday | Date | Description | Days Off for Groups |
| New Year’s Day (Losar) | February 24 | Beginning of the Bhutanese New Year | Nationwide |
| Birth Anniversary of Guru Rinpoche | February 7 | Celebration of the birth of Guru Rinpoche | Nationwide |
| National Day | December 17 | Commemoration of Bhutan’s first King’s coronation | Nationwide |
| Traditional Day of Offering (Thrue-Bab) | December 29 | Religious observance of offering to local deities | Not applicable |