Nepal
Festivals in Nepal
When Nepal's festivals fall and what they mean — Dashain, Tihar, Indra Jatra, Teej and the Newari jatras of the Kathmandu Valley, all in one place.
Few countries celebrate as often, or as vividly, as Nepal. Hindu and Buddhist traditions overlap with the indigenous Newar culture of the Kathmandu Valley to fill the calendar with chariot processions, masked dances, lamp-lit nights and family feasts. Most follow the lunar calendar, so the dates move each year — which makes a good calendar the first thing any festival-chasing traveller needs.
How to plan around festivals
Start with when: autumn stacks the three biggest — Indra Jatra, Dashain and Tihar — into a few weeks, while spring brings Bisket Jatra and Buddha Jayanti. Then pick what to see: the nationwide Hindu festivals, or the spectacular Newari jatras of the valley with their living goddesses and temple-cars. Use the calendar and guides below to fix your dates, then read up on the individual festivals so you know what you're watching.
Explore festivals & culture
Major festivals
Dashain: Nepal's Biggest Festival
Tihar: Nepal's Festival of Lights
Indra Jatra: Kathmandu's Chariot Festival
Teej: Nepal's Women's Festival
Bisket Jatra: Bhaktapur's Chariot Festival
Gai Jatra: The Cow Festival of Nepal
Buddha Jayanti: Buddha's Birthday in Nepal
Losar: Tibetan and Sherpa New Year
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest festival in Nepal?+
Dashain is the longest and most important — a 15-day Hindu festival in September or October celebrating the goddess Durga's victory over evil, when families reunite, elders give tika and blessings, and the whole country slows down. Tihar (the festival of lights) follows about two weeks later and is the second-biggest. Both are covered in detail below.
When is the best time to see festivals in Nepal?+
Autumn (September–November) is the festival heart of the year, with Indra Jatra, Dashain and Tihar falling in quick succession. Spring adds Bisket Jatra (Nepali New Year) in Bhaktapur and Buddha Jayanti. Most Nepali festivals follow the lunar calendar, so dates shift each year — check the festival calendar below for the current year's dates.
What are the Newari jatras?+
The Newars, the indigenous people of the Kathmandu Valley, hold some of Nepal's most spectacular street festivals — chariot processions (jatras) like Indra Jatra, Bisket Jatra and Rato Machhindranath, with masked dances, living goddesses and towering temple-cars hauled through medieval squares. The Newari festivals guide below maps them out.
Can tourists join Nepali festivals?+
Yes — most festivals are public street events and visitors are warmly welcomed to watch the processions, music and dances. Dress modestly at temples, ask before photographing rituals or people, and expect crowds and closures during the biggest days. Timing a trip around Indra Jatra or Tihar is one of the best ways to experience Nepali culture.
