Festival · Nepal
The Festival Calendar of Nepal
A month-by-month guide to Nepal's 12 great festivals, from Dashain and Tihar to Holi, Indra Jatra, Losar and Chhath.
Nepal packs an extraordinary number of festivals into its year, blending Hindu, Buddhist, Newar and Tibetan traditions across the seasons. This festival calendar collects twelve deep-dive guides so you can plan a trip around the celebrations — and understand what you are watching when you arrive. For a quick at-a-glance overview, see our festivals of Nepal summary; the guides below go far deeper into meaning, timing and where to be.
The short answer
The two unmissable national festivals are Dashain (Sep–Oct) and Tihar (Oct–Nov). For sheer colour, time your trip for Holi (Feb–Mar). Kathmandu's grandest street festival is Indra Jatra (Sep), while spring belongs to Bisket Jatra in Bhaktapur and Buddha Jayanti.
Festivals by season
Autumn is the festival heartland: Teej opens the season, followed by Indra Jatra, the giant family festival of Dashain, the lights of Tihar and the brotherhood ritual of Chhath Parva in the Terai. Winter brings the harvest festival of Maghe Sankranti in January and Losar, the Tibetan and Sherpa new year, in February. Spring is for Holi, Bisket Jatra's chariot pulling and Buddha Jayanti. The monsoon months hold Gai Jatra, the cow festival that honours the dead, and Janai Purnima, the sacred-thread full moon.
How to use these guides
Each guide explains what the festival celebrates, when it falls (with both lunar month and a rough Gregorian window), how and where it is observed, what you will actually see as a traveller, and practical tips. Pair them with our best time to visit Nepal guide to line up your dates, and read our Nepal culture and etiquette notes so you join in respectfully — dress modestly at temple events, ask before photographing rituals, and accept tika or prasad with your right hand.
The twelve festivals
Browse the full deep-dive guides for Dashain, Tihar, Holi, Indra Jatra, Teej, Bisket Jatra, Gai Jatra, Buddha Jayanti, Maghe Sankranti, Losar, Chhath Parva and Janai Purnima below. Together they span the whole Nepali year, so wherever your trip falls, there is almost certainly a festival within reach.
Our top picks
Dashain: Nepal's Biggest Festival
Tihar: Nepal's Festival of Lights
Holi in Nepal: The Festival of Colours
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
Maghe Sankranti: Nepal's Winter Festival
Losar: Tibetan and Sherpa New Year
Chhath Puja (Chhath Parva): The Sun Festival of Nepal
Janai Purnima: The Sacred Thread Festival
Frequently asked questions
What are the biggest festivals in Nepal?+
Dashain (15 days in Sep–Oct) and Tihar (five days in Oct–Nov) are the two largest national festivals. Holi, Indra Jatra, Teej, Buddha Jayanti and Chhath are also widely celebrated, while Losar and Bisket Jatra are important regional festivals.
Why do Nepali festival dates change every year?+
Most festivals follow the lunar calendar (Bikram Sambat or the Tibetan and Newar calendars), so their Gregorian dates shift by a couple of weeks each year. Always confirm exact dates close to your travel time.
Which festival should I plan my trip around?+
For colour and crowds, time your visit for Holi in February or March. For the most atmospheric travel, autumn brings Dashain, Tihar and Indra Jatra. Spring suits Bisket Jatra and Buddha Jayanti.
Do festivals disrupt travel in Nepal?+
Yes, especially Dashain and Tihar, when banks, offices and many shops close and transport sells out as people travel home. Book buses, flights and rooms well ahead, but enjoy the festive atmosphere.
What is Diwali called in Nepal?+
Tihar, also known as Deepawali or Yamapanchak, is Nepal's festival of lights and falls at the same time as Diwali in India, usually October or November. Homes glow with oil lamps and marigold garlands, but Nepal's version has its own character — each day honours a different being, from crows and dogs to the goddess Laxmi.
What is the 5 day festival in Nepal?+
Tihar runs for five days: Kag Tihar honours crows, Kukur Tihar dogs, the third day cows alongside Laxmi Puja, the fourth oxen (and Mha Puja, the Newar new year's self-blessing), and the finale, Bhai Tika, celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. It usually falls in October or November — our Tihar guide walks through each day.
