The Tiny Himalayan state Sikkim is in the northeastern part of India. It shares borders with Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and with the Indian state West Bengal. Despite its small size, this alpine state is a melting pot of culture, traditions and a rich heritage. Sikkim’s vibrant communities celebrate all their festivals, whether religious or cultural, with great enthusiasm. If your Sikkim trip coincides with any of the state’s festivals, do attend them or observe them. These festivals go beyond celebrations and showcase the cultural nuances of this land.
Most festivals in Sikkim revolve around Buddhist holidays, harvest season, and to promote tourism. The traditional music, cham dance (masked performance), food, and merit-making are also a significant part of this festival. Each festival is a riot of colours, euphoria, and community spirit. To learn more about the festivals of Sikkim, here is a month wise list.
Month wise Sikkim’s Festivals 2025
| Month | Festival/ Events in Sikkim |
| January | Sakewa, Maghe Mela |
| February | Sonam Lochar |
| March | Bhumchu |
| April | Saga Dawa, Easter Sunday |
| May | N/A |
| June | N/A |
| July | Bhanu Jayanti, Drukpa Tshechi |
| August | Guru Rinpoche’s Thrunkar Tshechu, Pang Labhsol |
| September | Indrajatra |
| October | Dasai, Tihar (Deepawali) |
| November | Tihar (Deepawali), Cherry Tea Festival |
| December | Sakewa, Namsoong, Tamu Lochar |
January
- Sakewa – Dedicated to worshipping Mother Nature, Sakewa festival is celebrated by the Rai community. This festival consists of praying rituals to the Supreme Creator for peace and protection of all living and non-living things. The festival also marks the commencement of agriculture season. The main ritual of the festival is called Bhoomi Puja or Chandi Puja which is performed in an open space. Devotees also perform ceremonial dances enacting birds, animals, and elements of nature.
- Maghey Mela – Maghey Mela takes place during the festival of Maghey Sankranti. It is celebrated all over Sikkim. People of different communities participate in it. You might be aware of how people take a holy dip in the Ganges during Magh Poornima. Similarly, people of Sikkim gather for bathing rituals in river Teesta and Rangit. The main action of this festival takes place in Jorethang where a huge fair is put up. You will see stalls selling arts, handicrafts, flowers, etc. Ceremonial dances, competitions, and local music also plays, keeping the spirits high.
February
- Sonam Lochar – Celebrated by the Tamang community, Sonam Lochar is the beginning of Tamang New Year. This date of the Tamanag New Year is calculated as per the Tibetan Lunar Calendar. The festival is usually celebrated in homes or Buddhist monasteries across Sikkim. The young members of festivals receive blessings from elders. In monasteries, watch Tamang Selo, a dance performed with great fervour where dancers wear traditional clothes.
March
- Bhumchu – Alternatively spelt as Bumchu, is the one of the most significant festivals in Sikkim. This festival is celebrated in Tashiding monastery in West Sikkim and is associated with the opening of a sacred pot. This vessel or sacred pot is filled with water and is used for predicting the fortunes of the state. This fortune is indicated by the level of water present in the pot which could signify natural calamities, droughts etc. The monks take 7 cups of water from the pot, mix it with Rathong Chu and distribute it amongst devotees. The next day this pot is again filled with water taken from Rathong Chu and sealed for next year.
April
- Saga Dawa – This is one of the zealous festivals celebrated in Sikkim. Saga Dawa honours the birth, enlightenment and salvation (nirvana) of Lord Budhha’s from this physical world. The celebration is deeply significant for the followers of Mahayana Buddhism. If you are interested in learning more about Buddhism and the culture of Sikkim, plan your Sikkim trip in April. Visit a monastery to watch rituals being performed, street plays, Cham (the masked dance), etc.
- Easter Sunday – The Christian community of Sikkim celebrates the Easter Sunday or Resurrection Sunday. People usually go to churches for offering services, prepare delicious meals, and do family gatherings. This festival showcases the diverse fabric of Sikkimese culture.
May
There aren’t any major festivals or events in Sikkim during May, except for Saga Dawa (as per Lunar Calendar).
June
There aren’t any major festivals or events in Sikkim during June, except for Saga Dawa (as per Lunar Calendar).
July
- Bhanu Jayanti – Celebrated amongst the Nepalese community, Bhanu Jayanti commemorates the birth anniversary of Bhanubhakta Acharya. He was an esteemed poet and writer who made significant contributions towards Nepalese literature. Several events and cultural programmes are organised to pay homage to his contributions.
- Drukpa Tshechi – It is among the five main Buddhist festivals that take place in Sikkim. Drukpa Tshechi offers a spectacle of colourful masked dance, ceremonies, rituals, and traditional music. This day is commemorated for Lord Buddha’s first preaching of the Four Noble Truths to his first five disciples at Saranath. Visit the Druk Sangag Choling Monastery and watch some cultural performances to appreciate this festival.
- Guru Rinpoche’s Thrunkar Tshechu – This festival celebrates the birth of Guru Rinpoche (Guru Padmasambhava). He was the founder of Tibetan Buddhism who introduced Buddhism in Sikkim and the neighbouring regions. The festival is celebrated with great fervours. Upon attending, you will witness street procession, prayers and elaborative rituals in monasteries. Many monks and lamas also play various traditional music.
August
- Pang Labhsol – Sikkimese people see Mt. Kanchenjunga as their protector deity. Hence to pay homage and honour this mountain deity, Pang Labhsol is celebrated in Sikkim. The word Pang means to witness and other than paying respect to the mountain deity, this festival also showcases the brotherhood of Lepchas and Bhutia communities. Many tourists visit Sikkim to witness this festival. They get enthralled by twirling dancers and elaborative performances put up by monks and lamas. The Pang Labhsol festival takes place in Tsuklakhang Monastery.
September
- Indrajatra – Indrajatra is a both a religious and agricultural festival deeply ingrained in Sikkimese culture. On this festival people gather to pray to Lord Indra (the deity of rain, storms and thunder) for an abundant rain that would nurture their crops and fields. Vibrant processions are commonly seen near the temples. Traditional music and dance performances fill the surroundings with great joy and enthusiasm.
October
- Dasai – The festival of Dasai is celebrated among the Hindu Nepalese community residing in Sikkim. Just like the rest of the Hindus celebrate the nine days of veneration of Devi followed by Dusshera, similarly Dasai is also celebrated. Devotees worship from Day 1 (Pratham) to Day 9 (Navmi) and on the tenth day, the elders put a tilak on the foreheads of young family members. They extend their blessing and in return, the young family members receive cash or a gift as shagun or token of their blessings.
- Tihar (Deepawali) – Deepawali is celebrated by Hindus of Sikkim. The day consists of lighting of earthen lamps (diyas), decorating homes, and offering prayers. The day celebrates the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after defeating Ravan. All temples and Hindu homes are lit up with electric lights, people visit temples, and have family gatherings.
November
- Tihar (Deepawali) – The festival of Tihar or Deepawali also falls in November, as per the Hindu calendar.
- Cherry Tea Festival – This festival is celebrated to boost tourism, especially in South Sikkim. The cherry blossom trees and Temi tea garden are in full bloom during the month of November. To enjoy the beauty of ephemeral cherry blossoms and freshness of tea leaves, plan your Sikkim trip during November.
December
- Sakewa – The festival of Sakewa sometimes takes place in December as per the Lunar calendar.
- Namsoong – This festival is celebrated by The Lepcha and Bhutia communities of Sikkim with pride and joy. The festival marks the end of harvest season in Sikkim. To witness this festival in full bloom, visit Enchey monastery and watch the cham (masked dance). This dance signifies exorcising evil spirits and welcoming good spirits for the next year. People also put up stalls selling local cuisine, handloom, arts and crafts, flowers, etc.
- Tamu Lochar – This is celebrated amongst the Gurung community of Sikkim. People of this community visit monasteries and shrines, perform rituals and seek blessings from elders.
These were the major events and festivals of Sikkim to attend in 2025. Which events or festivals are you most excited about?