Launched in 2016 under the Royal vision of His Majesty The King, the Royal Highland Festival celebrates Bhutan’s highlanders and aims to strengthen highland livelihoods through cultural pride, entrepreneurship, and climate-conscious tourism.

As the festival grew, highlander communities from nine Dzongkhags joined in, adding greater diversity and spirit. New events like strongwoman contests, traditional wrestling, and the high-altitude Laya Run became crowd favorites. With rising interest from visitors, local stalls and tourism began generating meaningful income for the highland families.

The 2023 festival drew over 4,100 attendees, including 119 international guests, with all homestays booked in advance. A highlight was the popular livestock show and a touching performance by a Singaporean teen, who shared her hope to use music to raise climate change awareness—echoing the festival’s deeper purpose.

In 2024, the Royal Highland Festival continued to highlight Bhutan’s highland heritage with greater emphasis on youth participation and yak-based product innovation. A key highlight was the promotion of highland sustainability—introducing improved yak product markets, showcasing eco-tourism initiatives, and reinforcing community resilience through cultural performances and traditional sports.