Nepal’s festivals are based in ancient, fascinating Hindu and Buddhist mythology going back centuries. It’s no surprise that in a country so rich in culture, customs and colors, the festivals are breathtaking and intricate. Mask dances are frequently performed retelling the epic sagas of demons versus deities, enshrouding all the festivals in a sense of mysticality. It has been said there’s not a day in Nepal that goes by without a festival being celebrated. Here are some of the most fantastic festivals this ethnically diverse country celebrates!
1. Dashain Festival
Dashain festival is Nepal’s longest festival of 2 weeks and is celebrated by family returning home, flying kites, playing cards, buying new clothes, and many colorful processions. This happy season is celebrated by everyone, Hindu and non-hindu alike, in a picture of religious harmony. On the 8th day there is a fair amount of animal sacrifice on the streets so consider this if you are squeamish about blood. Because the whole country is celebrating and there’s limited staff almost everywhere it’s important to book everything in advance with a trusted travel agency. Without as many people in the cities, it’s a great time to see the heritage sites such as Kathmandu’s Durbar Square, the old city or the ghats. Since it’s at the end of the monsoon season, it’s a great time to trek under clear blue skies.
Dates:
September 30-October 4, 2025
October 18-23, 2026
October 7-12, 2027
2. Tihar; Festival Of Lights & Animals
During this 5 day festival, houses are decorated by garlands and lights of all kinds -oil lamps, candles and electric strings of lights. This is to invite Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and luck into the home. In this festival, crows, dogs, cows, are also honored. Don’t be surprised to see all these animals being fed, while dogs and cows are given flower garlands to wear. At the end of this magical festival, gifts are exchanged between brothers and sisters, singers and musicians fill the streets as fireworks fill the sky. From Swoyambhunath Stupa a great view of Kathmandu can be seen.
Dates:
October 20-23, 2025
November 8-11, 2026
October 29-31, 2027
3. Fagu Poornima (Aka Holi)
The festivities start with a big bonfire to represent the death of the evil demoness Holika. This anticipated festival represents good triumphing over evil! The whole country joins in the color throwing: everyone, young and old, local and foreign join in! Don’t hold back as to put colors on another person is a token of love, friendship and new beginnings. It’s a great time to dance, eat sweets and let loose. Make sure to try dahi balla, or lentil fritters topped with yogurt and chutney since it’s a dish made specifically for this holiday. Since it’s celebrated at the end of the winter, it commemorates the warmth, joy and happiness of the beginning of spring! If you have the chance you should definitely consider joining us in Nepal for this celebration! Not to mention this is also one of the best months to trek the Himalayas!
A helpful tip is to leave your camera at the hotel as colored water is poured as part of the festivities. Perhaps consider bringing a cheap waterproof camera or a gopro instead.
Dates:
March 13-14, 2025
March 3-4, 2026
March 21-27, 2027
For more information about Holi read here:
https://www.adventurehero.com/blog/celebrate-holi-nepals-colorful-festival.html
4. The Sherpa Festival’s
Celebrated in the Tengboche Monastery along the Everest Base Camp Trek, Mani Rimdu is both the biggest and most important festival celebrated by the Buddhist Sherpa people. It features a large colored sand mandala created over 4 days. There are 16 sacred dances performed by colorfully dressed monks wearing scowling masks . These dances called ‘chhams’ often represent demons being vanquished by *Guru Rinpoche and are accompanied by a chorus of cymbals, flutes, horns and conch shells. Expect chanting, as well as the offering to the visitors of holy water and auspicious pellets for good fortune. To end the festival, tormas (dough figures) are burned in a sacred fire symbolizing the end of negative forces and the arrival of a new blessed year.
*Bhutan has similar festivals celebrating Guru Rinpoche:
https://www.yakholidays.com/blog/7-must-see-festivals-in-bhutan.html
5. Bisket Jatra
The Nepalese New Year is celebrated between April 10-19th with much pageantry and flair in Bhaktapur. On the first day giant, 3 tiered chariot is fought over in a tug of war between the Western and Eastern sides of the city. Drums and cymbals are joined in with singing as the backdrop of these lively festivities.Across the country images of deities are paraded around with red powder being thrown to celebrate the coming year, in other places there are tongue piercing ceremonies thought to bring food fortune. The myth behind these celebrations tells of a princess whose lovers were killed every night by snakes until one suitor was able to slay them. Thus, it is also a time to celebrate fertility and victory over demon snakes!
Dates:
April 10-19, 2025
April 10-19, 2026
April 10-19, 2027
6. Teej Festival
The streets are filled with exquisite red wedding sari adorned Hindu women on this holiday of fasting to Lord Shiva for happy marriages. Wearing fine silver and gold jewelry, the women head to local temples to deliver fruit and flower offerings. Other festival activities include bathing in the river, traditional performances, and indulging in a grand feast. The celebrations represent the women wishing for the health and happiness of their families, as well single girls wishing for a good husband in their future. The temples are filled with singing and dancing women, and the streets fill with a procession of Parvati’s idol- whose marriage to Lord Shiva represents the ultimate love and devotion.
Dates:
August 26, 2025
September 14, 2026
September 3, 2027
7. Indra Jatra
Indra Jatra, or Yenya, is Kathmandu’s biggest religious festival and it lasts for 8 days in September. This incredible festival is celebrated to pray to Indra and Dagini for a good harvest the following year and to revere those who made their way to heaven in the last year. It is the only festival where it’s possible to see Kathmandu’s Living Goddess, a revered little Newar girl who has been deified as Kumari or the host body for the Nepali Goddess Taleju. Once her chariot procession begins it signals the revealing of the massive, dangerous and frightening Swet Bhairav mask, hidden the rest of the year behind a wooden screen. The opening of the screen on Kumari’s chariot represents her continual protection by Swet Bhairav. After she greets the mask, beer begins to flow out of the mask’s straw-like spout. Men compete to drink the beer for good luck and the luckiest among them will catch a small goldfish that will bring them luck throughout the year. It is truly one of Nepal’s best festivals to see. You will be captivated by a week full of intricate mask dances, lighting of butter lamps, throwing of flowers and lastly the burning of the 10 ft flag pole.
Dates:
September 6, 2025
September 25, 2026
September 14, 2027
To fully experience the rich cultural heritage of Nepal, you must see one of its many festivals. Unmatched in the spectrum of color, fierceness of deities, and joviality of worshippers, these celebrations are not to be missed. We hope this guide was helpful in deciding which Nepalese festival you’d like to witness! Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or comments by clicking on the chat box in the bottom of the post. Please like, comment, and subscribe to our mailing list to let us know how we’re doing.
