Nepal is a cosmopolitan country, which is a well-known fact. Different ethnic groups live in harmony with Nepal's own culture, customs, festivals, rituals, and religion. The wide variety of festivals celebrated in Nepal is a true manifestation of its rich culture and traditions. There are several Festivals in Nepal, and below is an insight into some of Nepal's biggest festivals. While celebrations happen all over the year, October to March is when the country can be seen as vibrant. All the more, Nepal is a secular country. Thus, every ethnic religion practitioner and the ethnic tribe has distinct festivals and celebrates them sumptuously with their family. To offer you some insight about the major festival of Nepal with their dates, go through some information about top festivals in Nepal.
You will also know the importance of these prominent Nepalese festivals.
Here are the major festivals of Nepal:
Gai Jatra
Predominantly celebrated by the Newar community of Nepal, Gai Jatra is one of the auspicious festivals of Nepal. Gai is the Nepali word for cow, and Gai Jatra is a massive street carnival that commemorates the death of loved ones. People observe the Gai Jatra festival during Bhadra and August or September as per the Nepali and English calendars. In 2026, Gai Jatra will be observed on August 29. People parade the streets dressed as cows. The festival came into practice when the Malla Queen was mourning the untimely death of her son. The King invited every family that had lost a loved one to join the parade and show the Queen that she was not alone in her grief. This celebration remains one of the most distinctive cultural events in Nepal.
Indra Jatra
Indra Jatra is one of the most thrilling and celebrated events in Nepal. The eight-day-long Indra Jatra festival, also known as Yenya, falls in September and marks the beginning of the autumn festival season in Kathmandu Valley. The celebration commemorates the story of Indra, who came down from heaven in human form to search for a sacred herb. The Newar community celebrates the festival with chariot processions, masked dances, and traditional rituals over several days. The Kathmandu Durbar Square area is illuminated with oil lamps, and the heritage sites look especially vibrant during the celebration. Indra Jatra mainly falls in September. Indra Jatra 2026 will be celebrated on Friday, September 25. Since it marks the festive season and the farewell of the monsoon, it is one of the best times to experience Nepal's cultural life.
Bhoto Jatra
Bhoto Jatra is another grand festival observed in Kathmandu. The date of Bhoto Jatra is determined each year by astrologers based on the lunar calendar, so it changes annually. This festival usually falls in late May or June as per the English calendar and during Jestha or Asar in the Nepali calendar. During the ceremony, a bejeweled bhoto is displayed to the public. A bhoto is a vest, and the one shown at this festival is linked to a well-known local legend. Large crowds gather to witness the event each year. Bhoto Jatra is usually held on the final day of the months-long Rato Machhindranath Jatra, which is also one of the major festivals of Nepal.
Holi Festival
Also known as the festival of colors, Holi is one of the famous festivals of Nepal, celebrated in March. The festival is observed over two days in two different regions of Nepal. In 2026, Holi in Nepal will be celebrated on Monday, March 2, in the Hilly region, including Kathmandu and Pokhara, and on Tuesday, March 3, in the Terai region. The Holi festival takes place in March according to the English calendar. Although it is a religious festival for Hindus, people of all religions celebrate it with enthusiasm. The festival spreads the message of joy and happiness through colors, music, and celebration.
Teej Festival
Teej, also known as Haritalika, is the most auspicious festival for women of Nepal. Teej is a three-day-long festival where Hindu women observe fasting and worship Lord Shiva. The Teej festival in Nepal 2026 will be observed from September 13 to September 15. Dar Khane Din falls on September 13, Haritalika Teej falls on September 14, and Rishi Panchami falls on September 15. In the old days, women would fast without drinking a single drop of water and dance all day long. These days, many women still observe strict fasting while also taking part in singing, dancing, and temple visits. Women during the Teej festival wear red saris and traditional jewelry. Although Teej is a traditional festival, it also carries strong social and cultural meaning through devotion, gathering, and sisterhood. Teej celebrations usually occur in Bhadra month and in August or September according to the Nepali and English calendars.
Dashain
Dashain is Nepal's longest 15-day celebration and is observed across the country. The festival celebrates Goddess Durga's victory over the powers of evil. It also remembers the victory of Lord Ram over Ravana. Nepalese families mark this occasion with tika, blessings, family gatherings, and festive meals over several days. Nepalese observe the Dashain Festival annually in Ashwin and Kartik according to the Nepali calendar. Similarly, it falls in October as per the English calendar. The Dashain festival in 2026 will be celebrated from October 11 to October 25, corresponding to Ashwin and Kartik 2083 in the Nepali calendar. Vijaya Dashami (Tika day) falls on October 21, 2026.
Tihar
About two weeks after Dashain comes the auspicious Tihar festival, also known as Deepawali. Tihar is celebrated over several days, with each day dedicated to different rituals, lights, rangoli, diyas, and family gatherings. Homes are decorated with lights, and the festival creates a bright and festive atmosphere across the country. After Dashain, Tihar is the second most celebrated festival in Nepal. People observe this festival with family, relatives, and friends. Youths and children play Deusi and Bhailo at different houses, offering blessings to every home they visit. Tihar also reflects reverence for animals such as crows, dogs, and cows alongside worship of the goddess of wealth. Tihar usually falls in Kartik according to the Nepali calendar and in October or November according to the English calendar. In 2026, the main Tihar celebrations fall from November 8 to November 11. Bhai Tika falls on November 11, 2026.
Tiji Festival
The Tiji Festival is one of the most important cultural celebrations of Upper Mustang. It is observed in the Mustang area of Nepal and brings together local communities for a three-day ritual festival filled with prayer, masked dances, and traditional ceremonies. The Tiji festival in 2026 will be celebrated from May 14 to May 16. The main dances and rituals symbolically depict the defeat of the demon Ma Tam Ru Ta and the triumph of good over destructive forces. The festival is also connected with the story of Dorje Jono and remains one of the most culturally significant events in the region. Astrologers determine the dates of the Tiji festival, and it usually falls in May.
Mani Rimdu Festival
Mani Rimdu is a sacred 19-day Tibetan Buddhist festival observed by the Sherpa community in the Everest region. In 2026, the full Mani Rimdu Festival will take place from October 24 to November 17 at Tengboche Monastery. While the full festival includes prayers, rituals, and monastic ceremonies over 19 days, the main public celebration will take place from October 24 to October 26. These are the most visually striking and culturally important days for visitors and trekkers. The public celebration begins with the Wong opening ceremony, followed by the traditional Chham masked dances and the final blessings and ceremonial dismantling of the sacred sand mandala. For trekkers along the Everest Base Camp trek route, this festival offers a rare chance to witness living Buddhist tradition in the Himalayas.
Lhosar
Abiding from the lunar calendar Tamang, Sherpa, Gurung, and other Himalayan communities of Nepal celebrate Lhosar as their New Year. Each tribe observes Lhosar during different months. For instance, Gurung celebrates Lhosar in Poush (December), whereas Tamang, Sherpa celebrate Lhosar during Magh (February) and Falgun (March), respectively. People visit monasteries and take monks' blessings for success, wealth, and happiness. Every house puts a flag above its roof. A party is held at home, and invites to family and friends are sent. The core of this gathering is delicious cuisine, music, and dance.
Mother's Day/Mata Tirtha Aunsi
Mata Tirtha Aunsi, also known as Mother's Day, is observed to remember and honor mothers. Mata Tirtha Aunsi, also known as Aama Ko Mukh Herne Din, is an auspicious festival celebrated to honor all mothers. People offer their mothers favorite food, clothing, and gifts with respect and affection. This practice acknowledges the love and sacrifice of a mother. Those who no longer have mothers visit Mata Tirtha Temple, a sacred site on the outskirts of Kathmandu, to remember their departed mothers. Some also visit Pashupatinath Temple. Mata Tirtha Aunsi usually falls in Baisakh according to the Nepali calendar and in April according to the English calendar. Mata Tirtha Aunsi in 2026 will be observed on April 17.
Gokarna Aunsi/Father's day
Another important festival for Nepalese is Gokarna Aunsi, also known as Kushe Aunsi, and Father's Day. It is also called Buwa Ko Mukh Herne Din, meaning the day to see father's face. This is a meaningful day to honor a father's devotion, sacrifice, love, dedication, and hard work. Children give gifts to their fathers, spend time with family, prepare festive food, and observe traditional rituals. Sons who have lost their fathers visit Gokarna to perform shraddha or pinda daan in memory of the departed. Gokarna Aunsi is observed in Bhadra according to the Nepali calendar and usually falls in August or September according to the English calendar. Nepali Father's Day in 2026 will be observed on September 11.
Ghode Jatra
Ghode Jatra is another major festival of Nepal and is widely celebrated in Kathmandu. A large horse parade is organized at Tundikhel every year to mark the death of a demon named Tundi. According to legend, Tundi terrorized the city for a long time until he was slain, and people celebrated the victory by riding horses over the place where he was buried. Since then, the sound of horses' hooves at Tundikhel has remained central to the festival of Ghode Jatra. People gather around Tundikhel to watch the parade, as public access inside the arena is restricted. Ghode Jatra is annually celebrated during Chaitra in the Nepali calendar and usually falls in March or April in the English calendar. Ghode Jatra in 2026 will be celebrated on March 18.
Naag Panchami (worship of snakes) - August 17, 2026
Naag Panchami, falling on August 17, 2026, is a revered festival in Nepal and India dedicated to serpent deities, or Naags. Observed during the bright lunar fortnight of Shrawan, it symbolises protection, prosperity, and harmony with nature.
In Nepal, devotees visit sacred snake ponds such as Taudaha, Naag Pokhari of Futung, and the historic Naag Pokhari in Kathmandu, offering milk, flowers, and fruits. Many households wait for priests to arrive and paste Naag Panchami posters at their entrance gates, believed to shield homes from snakes and misfortune.
The festival is tied to legends like Lord Krishna defeating Kalia Naag, celebrating the victory of good over evil. Families chant Naag Panchami mantras, perform puja, and exchange Nag Panchami wishes. Blending devotion and ecological respect, it honours both spiritual heritage and the vital role of snakes in nature’s balance.
Final Words
These are some of the most widely observed festivals in Nepal. Not every community celebrates all of them in the same way, but each festival reflects an important part of the country's cultural and religious life. Together, these celebrations show the depth, diversity, and continuity of Nepal's traditions.
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