The black-necked crane festival is celebrated in Gangtey Gonpa, in Phobjikha valley. The festival is organized by the Phobjikha Environment Management Committee, local leaders, Government representatives, business community representatives, monks and Royal Society for the Protection of Nature representative.  It was first initiated by RSPN (Royal Society for Protection of Nature) in 1998.

The festival includes cultural programs such as folk songs and dances (some with black-necked crane themes) and mask dances performed by the local people, crane dances and environmental conservation-themed dramas and songs by the school children.  The program usually starts by 9:30 am and lasts till late afternoon.