Season: November

Location: Gangtey Goenpa, Gangtey (Phobjikha)

The annual Black-necked Cranes festival is held every year in Phobjikha on 11th November. The festival was initiated by RSPN since 1998 in an effort to promote Community based-sustainable tourism in the valley and to raise awareness among the visitors and local community on the importance of crane conservation. It is also an occasion for local people to get together, socialize, rejoice, and celebrate the arrival of crane in their valley. 

The Crane festival is organized by the local community group and it entails lot of logistic arrangements and coordination and usually involves several people, including school children. The festival generally comprises of variety of cultural performances like traditional dances and dramas related to the cranes, and mask dances. The crane dance performed by the children during the festival is the most amusing and entertaining part of the event.

The objectives of Black Necked Festival has been :

* Foster awareness and understanding among the local communities and visitors on the importance of conserving the endangered Black-necked Crane 

* Encourage involvement of general public in the actions that can lead to conservation of the Black-necked Cranes 

* Provide an avenue for the local community to showcase their cultural heritage, skills, as well as to generate extra income 

* Foster environmentally and culturally sensitive tourism in the valley