The Department of Tourism, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment, Bhutan, in collaboration with the Trongsa Dzongkhag Administration has announced the fifth edition of the Black Mountain Festival will be held from 3-4 October 2026.
This year, the festival will extend beyond its traditional venue through a Regional Highway Activation along the Trongsa highway corridor, during which all five gewogs of Trongsa-Nubi, Tangsibji, Drakteng, Langthel, and Korphu will activate welcome gateways and community-led experiences, showcasing the rich culture, vibrant communities, and natural beauty of the region.
The festival aims to showcase the hidden treasures of Trongsa, promote local products, and support the local economy through a vibrant programme featuring indigenous sports, local produce, cottage and small industry (CSI) products, traditional cuisines and crafts, and the Garp-Lung-Ghi Khorlo Bangjug, a traditional cross-country race.
A special highlight of this year’s edition will be the showcase of the Monpa community of Jangbi, offering visitors an opportunity to discover their distinctive culture and way of life through cane and bamboo crafts, traditional attire, and locally produced goods, bringing the rich cultural heritage of Trongsa to life for travellers along the highway stretch.
The festival will also feature captivating cultural performances that celebrate the distinctive heritage of the region, including an Inter-Gewog Drama Competition, a Gewog Storytelling Competition featuring local elders, and an Inter-School Quiz Competition on the theme of the Wangchuck Dynasty. Evening programs on both days will showcase the exceptional talents of Bhutan’s young artists, ensuring an enchanting close to each day of celebration.
Set against the backdrop of the Black Mountain range, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding valleys, Trongsa Dzongkhag boasts a serene and unspoiled natural environment rich in biodiversity. Home to nearly 20,000 residents across five gewogs and serving as the seat of Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park, the district is home to a diverse array of species, including endangered mammals and bird species, across more than 87% forest cover.
“Trongsa is a place where history, culture, nature, and community come together. Through the fifth edition of the Black Mountain Festival and the Regional Highway Activation, we hope to invite visitors to look beyond Trongsa as a transit point and discover the stories, traditions, landscapes, and warm hospitality that make our communities unique. This festival is an opportunity for our local communities to take pride in their heritage, promote their products and talents, and share the distinctive character of Trongsa with visitors from Bhutan and around the world,” said Wangdi Gyeltshen, Trongsa Dzongda.
“The Black Mountain Festival offers visitors a wonderful opportunity to immerse themselves in the unique culture and traditions of Trongsa. The fifth edition of the festival also provides an excellent platform to discover the rich diversity of cultures, local products, and cuisines found across the district. We are delighted to welcome both international and local visitors to this year’s Black Mountain Festival and invite them to experience the heritage, creativity, and community spirit of Trongsa,” concluded Damcho Rinzin, Director of the Department of Tourism.
