Black Mountain Festival Invites Travellers to Explore Trongsa, Bhutan

Bhutan’s fifth Black Mountain Festival will take place in Trongsa on 3–4 October 2026, inviting travellers to discover a district often treated as a stopover on the journey to other parts of the country.

Organised by the Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment, in collaboration with the Trongsa Dzongkhag Administration, this year’s festival carries the theme “Trongsa Through Time: Celebrating Heritage, Creativity, and Community.”

The celebration will extend beyond its traditional venue through a Regional Highway Activation along the Trongsa corridor. All five gewogs—Nubi, Tangsibji, Drakteng, Langthel and Korphu—will create welcome gateways and community-led experiences for travellers. The main festival at Yid-Zhin Throm in Trongsa will bring local communities and visitors together.

The programme will feature indigenous sports, traditional food and crafts, local produce, cottage and small industry products, and the Garp-Lung-Ghi Khorlo Bangjug traditional cross-country race. A special showcase by the Monpa community of Jangbi will introduce visitors to its distinctive traditions through cane and bamboo crafts, traditional attire and locally made goods.

Cultural events include an inter-gewog drama competition, storytelling by local elders, and an inter-school quiz focused on the Wangchuck Dynasty. Young Bhutanese artists will perform during the evening programmes on both days.

Framed by the Black Mountain range, Trongsa offers sweeping valley views and rich biodiversity. The district is home to nearly 20,000 people across its five gewogs, has more than 87% forest cover, and serves as the seat of Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park.

“Trongsa is a place where history, culture, nature, and community come together,” said Wangdi Gyeltshen, Trongsa Dzongda. He said the festival would encourage visitors to explore the district’s stories, landscapes and hospitality while giving communities a platform to celebrate their heritage and promote local products.

Damcho Rinzin, Director of the Department of Tourism, welcomed domestic and international visitors to experience Trongsa’s cultural diversity, cuisine and community spirit. By bringing festivities onto the highway and into its communities, Trongsa hopes to give travellers a reason to pause and explore.