By The seven festivals worth planning a Nepal trip around are Dashain, Tihar, Holi (Fagu Purnima), Mani Rimdu, Bisket Jatra, Teej and Indra Jatra. Dashain and Tihar fall in the autumn trekking season, Holi in spring, and Indra Jatra and Teej in the monsoon months. Nepal’s festival dates follow the lunar calendar, so they move every year. This guide gives what happens at each, where to see it and the 2026 and 2027 dates from the government’s public holiday list.
Nepal festivals at a glance
- Nearest: Tihar, 8 to 12 November 2026.
- Longest: Dashain, about 15 days in September or October.
- Best on a trek: Mani Rimdu at Tengboche on the Everest Base Camp route, usually in October or November.
- Best in Kathmandu: Indra Jatra, with the Kumari chariot procession.
- Most colourful: Holi, in March.
Last checked: 29 October 2026. Festival dates move with the lunar calendar, and the 2027 autumn dates are not yet published, so confirm before you book.
Crowds at the Swet Bhairav mask during Indra Jatra.
In this guide: Seven festivals compared | Dates 2026 and 2027 | Dashain | Tihar | Holi | Mani Rimdu | Bisket Jatra | Teej | Indra Jatra | Planning | FAQ
Seven Nepal festivals compared
| Festival | Season | Where to see it | What you see |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dashain | September to October | Everywhere; Kathmandu and family homes | Family gatherings, tika, kites, processions |
| Tihar | October to November | Everywhere; Swayambhunath, Durbar Square | Lamps, animal worship, Bhai Tika |
| Holi (Fagu Purnima) | March | Kathmandu, Durbar Square, Terai towns | Colour powder, water, music |
| Mani Rimdu | October to November | Tengboche on the Everest trail | Masked monk dances, sand mandala |
| Bisket Jatra | Mid-April | Bhaktapur | Chariot tug of war, lingo pole |
| Teej | August to September | Pashupatinath, Kathmandu temples | Women in red saris, songs, dances |
| Indra Jatra | September | Kathmandu Durbar Square | Kumari chariot, Swet Bhairav mask, masked dances |
Festival dates for 2026 and 2027
The dates below come from the Ministry of Home Affairs list of public holidays for 2083 BS (14 April 2026 to 13 April 2027). Nepal has not yet published the 2084 list, which will give the autumn 2027 dates.
| Festival | 2026 / 2027 date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Teej (Haritalika) | 14 September 2026 | Holiday for women |
| Indra Jatra | 25 September 2026 | Kathmandu Valley holiday |
| Dashain | Ghatasthapana 11 October; holiday 17 to 23 October 2026 | Main public holidays |
| Tihar | 8 to 12 November 2026 | Five-day public holiday; Bhai Tika falls on the last days |
| Holi (Fagu Purnima) | 21 March 2027 in the hills; 22 March 2027 in the Terai | Hill districts and Kathmandu on the first day |
| Bisket Jatra / New Year | Nepali New Year on 14 April 2026 | The Bhaktapur festival runs around the New Year; confirm exact days locally |
| Mani Rimdu | Usually October or November | Set by the monastery; confirm with Tengboche or your operator |
1. Dashain
Dashain is Nepal’s biggest festival, lasting around 15 days. Families gather, elders put red tika and rice on the foreheads of younger relatives, kites fill the sky and bamboo swings go up in villages. It honours the goddess Durga’s victory over evil. The key days are Ghatasthapana at the start, Fulpati, Maha Ashtami and Navami, then Vijaya Dashami, the day of the tika. Animals are sacrificed at temples on the eighth and ninth days, which some visitors find hard to watch. Many shops and offices close and buses are full, so book transport and hotels early. Cities are quiet, which makes it a good time for temples, and the skies after the monsoon are often clear for trekking.
A dog wearing a garland during Tihar.
2. Tihar: the festival of lights
Tihar lasts five days. Each day honours a different being: crows, dogs, cows, then Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, on the third night, when homes are lit with oil lamps and candles and doorways are decorated with rangoli. The fourth day marks the Newar New Year, and the fifth is Bhai Tika, when sisters put a colourful tika on their brothers. Children sing house to house as bhailo and deusi groups. Walk the lit lanes of Kathmandu, or see the city lights from Swayambhunath. Expect firecrackers and noise at night.
Coloured powder during Holi in Kathmandu.
3. Holi (Fagu Purnima)
Nepal celebrates Holi on Fagu Purnima, the full moon of Falgun, in March. The hill districts and Kathmandu celebrate on the first day, and the Terai towns on the next. The festival starts with the raising of a ceremonial pole and ends with colour powder and water. Locals and visitors alike throw colour in the streets, particularly around Basantapur Durbar Square. Wear old clothes, protect your phone and camera in a waterproof bag, and avoid wearing contact lenses. Do not throw colour at anyone who does not want it. March is also an excellent trekking month. Read how Nepal celebrates Holi.
Monks at Mani Rimdu in Tengboche Monastery.
4. Mani Rimdu
Mani Rimdu is the main festival of the Sherpa people, held at Tengboche Monastery on the Everest Base Camp trail, and also at monasteries in Chiwong and Thame. It lasts about two weeks, with a sand mandala, blessings and, on the main days, masked dances performed by monks. The dances, called chham, tell of the victory of Buddhism over evil, with horns, cymbals and drums. At the end, offerings of dough figures are burned. The festival falls in the autumn trekking season, so you can combine it with the trek. Plan your timing with our Everest Base Camp trek guide and check the date with the monastery or your operator, as it follows the Tibetan lunar calendar. Teahouses fill up at festival time, so book early.
5. Bisket Jatra
Bisket Jatra is a week-long New Year festival in Bhaktapur. Teams from the upper and lower halves of the city pull a huge chariot carrying the god Bhairav in a tug of war, and a tall wooden pole, the lingo, is raised and then toppled the next day. A legend links the festival to a prince who killed serpents that were harming a princess. Crowds, drums and red powder fill the squares. Stay overnight in Bhaktapur if you can, because the main events are in the afternoon and evening. Read a day trip to Bhaktapur.
6. Teej
Teej is a festival for Hindu women. They wear red saris and fine jewellery, sing and dance, bathe in the river and fast, praying to Shiva and Parvati for a happy marriage and the long life of their husbands. On the main day, temples such as Pashupatinath fill with women. It is a colourful time to visit Kathmandu, and visitors should be respectful and ask before taking pictures. It falls in the monsoon, so bring a raincoat.
7. Indra Jatra
Indra Jatra, also called Yenya, is Kathmandu’s biggest street festival, lasting eight days in September. It honours Indra, king of the gods, with masked dances, processions and the raising of a tall wooden pole in Durbar Square. The highlight is the chariot procession of the Kumari, the living goddess, who rides through the old city with two boys dressed as deities. The fearsome mask of Swet Bhairav, usually hidden behind a screen near the square, is uncovered, and rice beer flows from its mouth for the crowds. See the festival from a balcony cafe near Durbar Square if you want a clear view. Read day trips around Kathmandu for the old city.
Planning around festivals
| If you want… | Choose | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Quiet temples and clear skies | Dashain | Book transport early; many businesses close |
| A festival on a trek | Mani Rimdu | Confirm dates and book teahouses early |
| The best street festival in Kathmandu | Indra Jatra | Stay near Durbar Square |
| A colourful party | Holi | Waterproof your gear |
| Old-city atmosphere | Bisket Jatra | Overnight in Bhaktapur |
| Evening lights | Tihar | Walk lit lanes in Thamel and the old city |
- Book early: hotels, flights and buses fill up around Dashain and Tihar.
- Respect the rituals: ask before photographing worshippers, remove shoes and leather where asked, and follow local advice.
- Allow flexibility: processions run late and roads close. Read the best places to visit in Nepal to fill spare days.
- Combine with a trek: see the best seasons for Everest treks.
FAQ
What is the biggest festival in Nepal? Dashain, which lasts around 15 days.
When is Tihar in 2026? From 8 to 12 November 2026 (the public holiday period).
When is Holi in Nepal in 2027? On 21 March 2027 in the hills and Kathmandu, and 22 March in the Terai.
When is Indra Jatra? In September. The 2026 holiday date was 25 September.
When is Dashain in 2026? The main public holidays run from 17 to 23 October 2026.
Where can I see Mani Rimdu? At Tengboche Monastery on the Everest Base Camp trail, and at some other Sherpa monasteries.
When is Mani Rimdu held? Usually in October or November. Confirm the date with the monastery or your operator.
Where is Bisket Jatra held? In Bhaktapur, around the Nepali New Year in mid-April.
Can visitors join Holi? Yes, but use consent and protect your belongings.
Is Dashain a good time to visit Nepal? It suits culture and clear weather, but book transport early because many people travel.
Can I see the Kumari during Indra Jatra? Yes, in her chariot procession. She also appears at her window at other times.
Which festival is best for first-time visitors? Indra Jatra for the old city, Tihar for lights, or Holi for colour.
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Sources
- Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Nepal: list of public holidays for 2083 BS (2026/27)
- Nepal Tourism Board
