Nepali Festival Calendar 2026: Guide to Holi, Dashain & Tihar

January 15 (Thursday)

Maghe Sankranti (Maghi)

Marks the end of winter and the beginning of the holy month of Magh. A major harvest festival, especially for the Tharu community.

Observe the ritual holy river dips at sacred confluence points (Triveni), particularly Devghat near Chitwan. Enjoy traditional winter foods like Chaku (molasses) and Ghiu (clarified butter).

January 19 (Monday)

Sonam Lhosar

Tamang New Year. Celebrated by the indigenous Tamang people across Nepal.

Best witnessed in Kathmandu’s Boudhanath area, where Tamang communities gather for vibrant traditional dances (Tamba), music, and community feasts.

February 15 (Sunday)

Maha Shivaratri

The Great Night of Shiva. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the event is one of the most significant spiritual gatherings in the world.

The epicenter is the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. Thousands of devotees, Sadhus (holy men), and pilgrims gather for all-night chanting, fasting, and worship. A truly powerful and visually arresting spectacle.

February 18 (Wednesday)

Gyalpo Lhosar

Sherpa and Tibetan New Year. The most important cultural celebration for the communities of the high Himalayas.

Visit the monasteries in the Everest region or the Tibetan settlements in Kathmandu/Pokhara for elaborate ritual dances and traditional mountain hospitality.

March 2 (Monday)

Holi (Fagu Purnima)

Festival of Colors in the Hilly Regions (Kathmandu, Pokhara). Celebrates the triumph of good over evil and the arrival of Spring.

Join the high-energy celebrations in Kathmandu’s Thamel, Asan, and Basantapur areas. Best Heritage Tour advises wearing clothes you don't mind getting stained and embracing the joyful chaos!

March 3 (Tuesday)

Holi (Fagu Purnima)

Festival of Colors in the Terai Region (e.g., Janakpur). Celebrated one day later in the southern plains.

March 18 (Wednesday)

Ghode Jatra

Horse Festival. A Newar festival where horses are raced in Tundikhel parade ground to ward off evil spirits.

Tundikhel, Kathmandu. Witness the impressive horse races and traditional military displays.

April 14 (Tuesday)

Nepali New Year (Navavarsha 2083 BS)

The first day of the Bikram Sambat calendar. A national public holiday.

Celebrated nationwide with feasts, gatherings, and general festivities.

April 11 - 18 (Approx.)

Bisket Jatra (The Chariot Festival)

An ancient, nine-day chariot festival marking the New Year. The main events are on April 14th.

Bhaktapur is the place to be. Witness the pulling of the massive Bhairav and Bhadrakali chariots and the dramatic raising and toppling of the ceremonial Lingo (pole).

May 1 (Friday)

Buddha Jayanti (Triple Blessed Day)

Celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death (parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha.

Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath in Kathmandu are adorned with prayer flags and butter lamps. It is a day of peace, reflection, and pilgrimage, especially in Lumbini.

May 1 (Friday)

Ubhauli Parba

Celebrated by the Kirat community (Rai, Limbu, etc.), marking the upward migration of people and animals for the summer.

Traditional Sakela Dances are performed, symbolizing the connection between humans and nature.

June 20 (Saturday)

Sithi Nakha

A Newar festival focusing on cleaning and repairing water sources (wells and stone spouts) before the heavy monsoon rains.

A chance to see unique community rituals in the old cities of Patan and Bhaktapur, symbolizing environmental respect.

July 1 (Wednesday)

Ropain / Asar Pandra

Marks the beginning of the crucial rice planting season. A celebration of agriculture and hard work.

Witness (or even participate in!) the playful mud-splashing, singing, and dancing in the rice fields of the Kathmandu and Pokhara valleys. The traditional meal is Dahi-Chiura (beaten rice and yogurt).

August 28 (Friday)

Janai Purnima / Rakshya Bandhan

On this full moon day, Hindu men change their sacred thread (Janai). The protection thread (Rakshya Bandhan) is tied onto the wrists of all devotees.

Visit the holy bathing sites of Kumbheshwar Temple in Patan or the banks of the Bagmati River to observe the thread-changing rituals.

August 29 (Saturday)

Gai Jatra (Cow Festival)

A unique festival, primarily for the Newar community, to commemorate the deceased and ease grief through social humor and satire.

Bhaktapur remains the best place to witness the elaborate processions, costumed dancers, and political street satire.

September 4 (Friday)

Shree Krishna Janmashtami

Celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna.

The beautiful, stone Krishna Mandir in Patan Durbar Square is the central attraction, drawing thousands of devotees who fast, pray, and light lamps.

September 14 (Monday)

Teej (Haritalika Teej)

A three-day festival where Hindu women fast, sing, and dance for the long life of their husbands and the welfare of their families.

Witness the striking sight of thousands of women dressed in vibrant red saris and ornaments gathering at the Pashupatinath Temple and local Shiva temples.

September 25 (Friday)

Indra Jatra (Yenya)

Kathmandu’s biggest street festival, dedicated to Lord Indra and featuring the public procession of the Living Goddess, Kumari.

Centered in Kathmandu Durbar Square. The main event is the pulling of the Kumari, Ganesh, and Bhairav chariots, accompanied by terrifying masked dances (Lakhey).

October 11 (Sunday)

Ghatasthapana (Dashain Day 1)

The official start of the 15-day Dashain Festival, dedicated to Goddess Durga. Barley seeds (Jamara) are sown.

Best Heritage Tour recommends planning your inter-city travel before this date, as offices and transport begin to shut down nationwide.

October 17 (Saturday)

Fulpati (Dashain Day 7)

Sacred flowers are brought to Kathmandu. The military and government observe a grand procession at Tundikhel.

October 18 (Sunday)

Maha Ashtami (Dashain Day 8)

Dedicated to the fierce Kali, a form of Goddess Durga. A day of intense rituals and animal sacrifices at temples.

October 20 (Tuesday)

Maha Navami (Dashain Day 9)

Worship of tools, vehicles, and weapons.

October 21 (Wednesday)

Vijaya Dashami (Dashain Day 10)

The Main Day of Dashain. The ritual of receiving Tika (blessings) and Jamara from elders begins and continues for several days.

November 8 (Sunday)

Laxmi Puja (Tihar Day 3)

Tihar (The Festival of Lights). Homes are decorated with thousands of lights (Diyo) and Rangoli to welcome the Goddess of Wealth, Laxmi.

The most beautiful and photogenic night. The Durbar Squares are dazzling. (Tihar starts Nov 6 with Kag Tihar).

November 10 (Tuesday)

Goru Tihar / Nepal Sambat New Year

Worship of the Ox and the day the Newar community celebrates Mha Puja (worship of the self), marking the start of the Nepal Sambat New Year (NS 1147).

November 11 (Wednesday)

Bhai Tika (Tihar Day 5)

The finale. Sisters honor their brothers by placing a sacred, seven-colored Tika on their foreheads, solidifying the sibling bond.

November 15 (Sunday)

Chhath Parva

A four-day festival dedicated to the Sun God (Surya Dev), observed with rigid fasting and offering prayers at river banks.

Most significant in the Terai region, especially Janakpur, and along the banks of the Bagmati River.

December 14 (Monday)

Bibaha Panchami

Commemorates the ceremonial wedding of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita.

A massive celebration centered in the city of Janakpur, involving a symbolic wedding procession.

December 24 (Thursday)

Yomari Punhi / Udhyauli Parba

A Newar festival where the sweet rice-flour dumpling Yomari is made. Also the Kirati festival marking the migration downward to warmer regions.

Patan is known for its Yomari celebrations.

December 30 (Wednesday)

Tamu Lhosar

Gurung New Year. Celebrated by the indigenous Gurung community.

Look for vibrant gatherings and cultural dances in the Pokhara region and the Gurung communities of Kathmandu Valley.