Festival · Nepal
Nepal Festivals by Month
When Nepal's festivals fall, month by month, so you can match your travel dates to the celebrations.
Nepal's festival year is best understood month by month, because almost every part of the calendar holds a celebration somewhere in the country. This guide threads the major Hindu, Buddhist, Newar and Tibetan festivals through the twelve Gregorian months so you can match your travel dates to the events. Because most follow lunar calendars, treat each month as a rough window and confirm exact dates close to your trip. For deeper detail on the lesser-known events, see our Nepal festivals and events cluster.
Winter: January and February
The year opens in January with Maghe Sankranti, the mid-winter harvest festival marking the sun's northward turn, celebrated with til (sesame) sweets and ritual bathing at confluences like Devghat. February brings Losar, the Tibetan and Sherpa new year, in Boudhanath and the high valleys, and often Maha Shivaratri, the great night of Shiva — for the full picture see Maha Shivaratri at Pashupatinath.
Spring: March, April and May
March is usually Holi, the festival of colours, plus the late stretch of Maha Shivaratri in some years. April is one of the best months to visit: the Nepali New Year (Bikram Sambat) falls around 13–14 April and coincides with Bisket Jatra in Bhaktapur — read Nepali New Year for how it is celebrated. April and May also bring Buddha Jayanti, the Buddha's birthday, grandest at his birthplace — see Buddha Jayanti at Lumbini — and the spring rhododendron bloom, best caught on the Ghorepani–Poon Hill rhododendron trail. Late spring is also Saga Dawa, the holiest month in Tibetan Buddhism.
Summer: June, July and August
The early monsoon is quieter, though Saga Dawa observances often continue into June. August wakes the calendar again with Janai Purnima, the sacred-thread full moon, the Newar cow festival Gai Jatra — strongest in the capital, see Gai Jatra in Kathmandu — and the high-mountain horse festival of Yartung in Mustang and Manang. Teej, the women's festival, often falls in late August or September.
Autumn: September, October and November
This is Nepal's festival heartland. September brings Indra Jatra, Kathmandu's grand chariot festival. September–October is Dashain, the 15-day national festival of family, tika and feasting. October–November lights up for Tihar, the five-day festival of lights, and Chhath Parva in the Terai. Autumn is also when Mani Rimdu masked dances take place at Tengboche on the Everest trail.
Planning around the calendar
Use this month-by-month frame alongside our best time to visit Nepal guide to choose your season, and the broader festival calendar of Nepal for the national headline festivals. If a festival means a trek, plan ahead with our Nepal trekking guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month for festivals in Nepal?+
October and November are the richest, with Dashain and Tihar dominating autumn. April–May is excellent for spring travellers, bringing Nepali New Year, Buddha Jayanti and the rhododendron bloom, while February–March offers Maha Shivaratri, Losar and Holi.
Why don't festivals fall on the same date each year?+
Most follow lunar calendars — the Bikram Sambat, Newar Nepal Sambat or the Tibetan calendar — so their Gregorian dates shift by up to two weeks each year. Treat the months here as a guide and confirm exact dates close to your trip.
Which months are quietest for festivals?+
June and July, the early monsoon, have fewer major festivals, though Saga Dawa and some local jatras still fall then. These months suit travellers who prefer green hills and fewer crowds to festival spectacle.
Do festivals affect travel and bookings?+
Yes. During Dashain and Tihar (Sep–Nov) transport sells out and many businesses close. Book buses, flights and rooms well ahead if you travel in autumn.
