Nepal is a tiny country with enormous cultural diversity. This diversity springs from the many ethnic origins of its people, their many languages and customs and the mix of religions that have evolved and spread through villages and isolated mountain valleys. As a result, there is a saying that “there is a festival somewhere in Nepal every day.” In fact, this is a major underestimate.
Festivals come in many forms – often noisy, vibrant spectacles that reflect a reverence for mythical events and beliefs or the power of religious deities that control and influence life both present and future.
There are just too many festivals to list and describe. Visitors could perhaps start the annual cycle of festivals with a celebration of the Nepali New Year, based on the 2000-year-old solar calendar, and attend the Nava Barsa and Bisket Festival in Bhaktapur. This festival draws huge and energetic crowds to two days of music, dance and ritual that celebrates the mythical story of the killing of an evil serpent that was said to kill every suitor prince that tried to win a beautiful princess.
Another famous festival held in Kathmandu itself is the eight-day Indra Jatra and Kumari Jatra. This boisterous event pulses through ancient parts of the city and culminates in the precession of the Kumari, Living Goddess, where devotees can catch a glimpse of this secretive young Goddess.
There is also a multitude of regional festivals occurring throughout the year. From the jungle lowlands to the most remote mountain valley, there is always something to celebrate.
Langtang Ri has a number of treks and tours that are conducted each year to coincide with some of Nepal’s most important and spectacular festivals. Please search our list of festival products or send us an inquiry about any specific festival you would like to experience personally.
Nepal observes numerous holidays most of which have cultural or religious significance. Visitors wishing to partake in the holidays or observe local festivals should contact our Kathmandu office and inquire about up-coming festivals that may fit within your intended travel itinerary. The longest holiday in Nepal is during the Dashain festival in late September or October. Government offices and banks observe most of the national holidays. Private business offices observe major holidays only. The following is a list of public holidays in Nepal during 2019.
Basant Panchami and Martyr's Day, January 30, 2020
Maha Shivaratri, February 21, 2020
Holi on Hilly Region including Kathmandu, March 09, 2020
Holi on Terai Region, March 10, 2020
International Women’s Day in Nepal is on Tuesday, March 08, 2020
Nepali New Year’s Day – Bisket Jatra is on Wednesday, April 13, 2020
Buddha Jayanti (Buddha’s Birthday) is on Saturday, May 07, 2020
Janai Purnima & Gosainkunda Festival, 2020
Haritalika Teej – Festival of Woman, August 21, 2020
Ghatasthapana, October 17, 2020
Fulpati Saptami, October 23, 2020
Maha Ashtami, October 24, 2020
Maha Navami, October 25, 2020
Bijaya Dashami, October 26, 2020
Dipawali & Laxmi Puja – Festival of Lights is on Sunday, November 15, 2020
Mha Puja and Goru Pooja, November 16, 2020
Bhai tika – Festival of Brother, November 17, 2020
Chhat Parva, November 21, 2020
Christmas Day, December 25, 2020
