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Nepal Festivals

Explore Nepal's vibrant festivals — learn best times to visit, travel tips, what to taste and practical notes for visitors.

Featured Festivals

Click a card to view festival descriptions, best time to visit, travel tips and recommended festival foods.

Dashain Festival Autumn

Dashain

Largest Nepali festival celebrating the victory of good over evil — family gatherings, tika and swings.

Tihar Festival Autumn

Tihar (Deepawali)

Festival of lights honoring animals and Lakshmi — beautiful lamps, rangoli and family feasts.

Holi Festival Spring

Holi

Colorful festival of colors — street celebrations, colored powders and sweet treats.

Teej Festival Monsoon

Teej

Women’s festival of fasting, songs and dances — vibrant red attire and traditional processions.

Bisket Jatra Spring

Bisket Jatra

Newar celebration in Bhaktapur marking the Nepali new year with chariots, pulling rituals and lively processions.

Gai Jatra Summer

Gai Jatra

Festival of cows and satirical processions where families commemorate lost ones with humor and masquerade.

Indra Jatra Autumn

Indra Jatra

Major Kathmandu festival with masked dances, chariot processions and the display of living goddess Kumari.

Rato Machindranath Spring

Rato Machindranath

Chariot festival in Patan honoring rain-giving deity—long procession, cultural rites and community gatherings.

Chhath Winter

Chhath

Sun-worshipping festival celebrated on riverbanks with rigorous rituals, offerings and communal prayers.

Shivaratri Winter

Maha Shivaratri

Night-long Hindu festival of Lord Shiva — devotees fast, chant and gather at temples like Pashupatinath.

Festival

Overview

Best time to visit:
Travel tips:
    Festival foods to try: