Admin UserWith dozens of ethnic groups and several religions living side by side, Nepal's calendar is almost never empty. Streets fill with dancers, temples glow with oil lamps, chariots roll through old squares and families travel across the country to be together. This guide to Nepal's festivals explains the biggest celebrations, what actually happens at each, roughly when they fall and how to enjoy them as a visitor. For exact dates in the coming year, see our Nepal festivals calendar.
How the festival calendar works
Most Nepali festivals follow the lunar calendar, so their dates move from year to year by up to a few weeks. Nepal also uses its own solar calendar, the Bikram Sambat, in which the new year begins in mid-April. That means a festival you read about may fall on different dates in different years, and it is worth checking before you book flights. Many festivals are public holidays, so shops and offices may close, and transport can be crowded. The Nepal Tourism Board lists official festival information for visitors.
Dashain: the biggest festival
Dashain is Nepal's longest and most important festival, lasting 15 days in September or October. It celebrates the victory of the goddess Durga over evil. Families gather, animals are sacrificed in some traditions, kites fly from rooftops, and on the tenth day, Vijaya Dashami, elders place a tika of rice, yoghurt and red powder on the foreheads of younger relatives and give blessings and money. Cities empty as people return to their home villages. For visitors, it is a fascinating time, but buses and flights are very full and many businesses close for several days.
Tihar: the festival of lights
A few weeks after Dashain comes Tihar, the five-day festival of lights, in October or November. Houses are cleaned and decorated with oil lamps, candles and colourful rangoli patterns. Each day honours a different being: crows, dogs, cows, and finally brothers on Bhai Tika. On the main night, the goddess Laxmi is welcomed, and entire neighbourhoods glow. Groups of children and adults sing and dance from house to house, collecting gifts. It is one of the loveliest times to walk through Kathmandu in the evening.
Holi, Shivaratri and spring celebrations
Holi, the festival of colours, usually falls in February or March. In Kathmandu and across the Terai, people throw coloured powder and water at each other in the streets. Visitors are welcome to join, but wear old clothes and protect your phone and camera.
Maha Shivaratri, the great night of Shiva, takes place in February or March at Pashupatinath. Thousands of pilgrims and sadhus gather, fires burn through the night and the temple area fills with chanting.
Nepali New Year falls in mid-April. In Bhaktapur, the Bisket Jatra festival pulls huge chariots through the old streets and involves a tug-of-war between neighbourhoods, one of the most spectacular events in the valley.
Indra Jatra and Kathmandu's street festivals
In September, the Indra Jatra festival fills Kathmandu's old Durbar Square with masked dances, processions and a chariot carrying the Kumari, the living goddess. It lasts about a week and is one of the best festivals for visitors because it is staged in the open, in the centre of the old city. You can see it easily from public viewing areas, and our Kathmandu UNESCO World Heritage Day Tour puts you in the right place. Another quirky event is Gai Jatra, when families remember the people who died in the past year with processions of cows and costumes.
Buddhist festivals
Buddha Jayanti, on the full moon in April or May, marks the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha. The main celebrations are at Lumbini, his birthplace in the south, and at Boudhanath and Swayambhunath in Kathmandu, where thousands of lamps are lit. Losar, the Tibetan New Year, falls in February or March and brings masked dances and prayers at Boudhanath and in Tibetan communities. In Mustang, the Tiji festival marks a famous legend with three days of masked ritual dances; read our Mustang guide for more.
Teej and women's festivals
Teej, in August or September, is celebrated by women in red saris with songs, dances and fasting. It is a colourful event at Pashupatinath. For more detail, read our guide to the Teej festival.
Tips for visiting during a festival
- Book early. Dashain, Tihar and big holidays fill flights, buses and hotels. Reserve your domestic flights and rooms weeks in advance.
- Expect closures. Banks, shops and some restaurants close during the main days, so carry some cash.
- Dress modestly and respectfully. Cover your shoulders and knees at religious sites. Our etiquette and dress code guide has more advice.
- Ask before photographing people, especially during rituals.
- Watch your belongings in crowded places.
- Plan around the season. Dashain and Tihar fall in the best trekking season, so you can combine a festival with a trek. Compare seasons in our best time to visit Nepal guide.
For more ideas on culture, see the 10 cultural experiences you must have in Nepal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest festival in Nepal?
Dashain, a 15-day festival in September or October. It is the most important family occasion in the Nepali calendar.
When is Tihar?
Tihar falls a few weeks after Dashain, usually in October or November, and lasts five days. It is known as the festival of lights.
Are festivals a good time to visit Nepal?
Yes, if you book early and are flexible. Many festivals fall in autumn, the best weather for trekking. Transport and hotels are busier, and some businesses close.
Can tourists join Holi?
Yes. Holi is open and playful. Wear clothes you do not mind ruining, protect your phone and respect people who do not want to be sprayed.
