Nepal has more festivals than any other country in the world — it is said that there is a festival every day of the year somewhere in the country. The major festivals are joyous, colourful and an incredible way to experience Nepali culture. But festivals also affect travel — banks close, transport fills up, and some trekking routes get busy. Here is the complete 2025 calendar.
Nepali Calendar and Dates
Nepal uses its own calendar (Bikram Sambat) which is 56.7 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar. So 2025 AD = 2082 BS. Festivals are calculated on the lunar calendar, so dates vary from year to year. Always check the current year's dates.
Major Nepali Festivals in 2025
1. Maghe Sankranti — January 14, 2025
The first day of the Nepali month of Magh, marking the end of the winter solstice. Hindus take ritual baths in rivers, particularly at the Triveni confluence at Devghat. Special foods: yam, sweet potato, chaku (molasses), ghee. Public holiday.
2. Lhosar (Tibetan New Year) — February 28 – March 2, 2025
The Tibetan New Year, celebrated by Sherpa, Tamang, Gurung and other Tibetan-Buddhist communities. Different communities celebrate on different dates — Sonam Lhosar (Tamang), Gyalpo Lhosar (Sherpa), Tamu Lhosar (Gurung). Festivities include traditional dances, family gatherings, and special foods. Public holiday.
3. Maha Shivaratri — March 8, 2025
The great night of Shiva, celebrated at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. Tens of thousands of Hindu pilgrims (and many sadhus) gather at Pashupatinath for all-night worship. Bonfires, chanting, and a carnival atmosphere. See our Pashupatinath guide. Public holiday.
4. Holi (Fagu Purnima) — March 13–14, 2025
The festival of colours. Celebrated across Nepal with coloured powder (gulal) and water balloons. The Terai celebrates a day later than the hills. Kathmandu's Thamel area is the centre of celebrations. Public holiday. Wear old clothes!
5. Ghode Jatra — March 28, 2025
The horse festival, celebrated at Tundikhel in Kathmandu with horse races, gymnastics and military displays. According to legend, the festival celebrates the defeat of a demon named Tundi whose spirit is trampled by horses. Public holiday in Kathmandu Valley.
6. Nepali New Year (Bisket Jatra) — April 14, 2025
The Nepali New Year (1st of Baisakh). The biggest celebration is in Bhaktapur, where Bisket Jatra features a giant chariot festival, tug-of-war between east and west Bhaktapur, and the tongue-piercing ceremony. See our Bhaktapur guide. Public holiday.
7. Buddha Jayanti — May 15, 2025
The birthday of the Buddha, celebrated at Buddhist sites across Nepal, particularly at Swayambhunath and Boudhanath in Kathmandu, and at Lumbini. Buddhist pilgrims from around the world gather at Lumbini. Public holiday.
8. Nag Panchami — July 30, 2025
The festival of snakes, when Hindus paste pictures of cobras above their doorways to seek protection from snake bites. Celebrated mainly in the Terai.
9. Janai Purnima — August 9, 2025
The sacred thread festival. Hindu men change their sacred thread (janai) and tie protective threads (raksha bandhan) around their wrists. Celebrated at temples across Nepal, particularly at Kumbeshwar in Patan and Gosainkunda lake.
10. Gai Jatra — August 11, 2025
The cow festival, when families who have lost a family member in the past year parade through the streets with a cow (or a person dressed as a cow). The cow is believed to help the deceased cross the river to the afterlife. In Kathmandu, it includes satirical comic performances mocking politicians and public figures. Public holiday in Kathmandu Valley.
11. Krishna Janmashtami — August 16, 2025
The birthday of Lord Krishna. Celebrated at Krishna Mandir in Patan, with all-night vigils and processions. Public holiday.
12. Teej — August 27–29, 2025
The women's festival. Married and unmarried women fast for the long life of their husbands (or to find a good husband). Women dress in red saris, dance at Pashupatinath and other Shiva temples, and celebrate with song. One of the most photogenic festivals in Nepal. Public holiday.
13. Indra Jatra — September 5–7, 2025
The biggest festival in Kathmandu, honouring Indra, the god of rain. Features the Kumari Jatra (procession of the living goddess Kumari in her chariot), masked dances (Lakhe, Bhairab, Mahakali), and the raising of the Yosin pole at Basantapur. Public holiday in Kathmandu Valley.
14. Dashain — September 22 – October 2, 2025
Nepal's biggest festival — 10 days celebrating the victory of goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. Families gather, elder relatives give tika (red rice powder) and jamara (barley grass) on foreheads, and animals (goats, buffalos, chickens) are sacrificed. Public holiday for 10 days. Travel is very busy around Dashain — book transport and accommodation in advance.
15. Tihar (Yama Pancha / Diwali) — October 18–22, 2025
The festival of lights — 5 days celebrating different animals (crows, dogs, cows, oxen) and Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. Houses are decorated with candles, oil lamps and rangoli (coloured powder designs). The 5th day is Bhai Tika, when sisters bless their brothers. Public holiday.
16. Chhath — October 27–28, 2025
A 4-day festival honouring the sun god Surya, celebrated mainly by the Madhesi (Terai) community. Devotees fast and offer prayers to the setting and rising sun, standing in rivers or ponds. Spectacular to witness at Rani Pokhari in Kathmandu or in the Terai.
How Festivals Affect Travel
| Festival | Travel Impact | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Dashain | Very high — all Nepal travels; buses full | Book transport 1 week ahead |
| Tihar | High — Kathmandu and cities busy | Book accommodation ahead |
| Holi | Moderate — colour powder everywhere | Wear old clothes, cover camera |
| Indra Jatra | Kathmandu busy | Plan to be in Kathmandu |
| Bisket Jatra (New Year) | Bhaktapur very busy | Stay overnight in Bhaktapur |
| Maha Shivaratri | Pashupatinath area crowded | Visit Pashupatinath on a different day |
| Lhosar | Boudhanath area busy | Visit Boudhanath for celebrations |
| Teej | Pashupatinath very crowded with women in red | Great for photography |
Best Festivals for Tourists to Experience
- Holi (March) — most accessible festival for tourists. Join in the colour throwing in Thamel.
- Bisket Jatra / New Year (April) — best in Bhaktapur. Book accommodation early.
- Indra Jatra (September) — see the living goddess Kumari. Kathmandu only.
- Tihar (October–November) — festival of lights. Beautiful decorations everywhere.
- Lhosar (February–March) — Tibetan New Year. Best at Boudhanath and Swayambhunath.
Honest tip: If your Nepal trip overlaps with Dashain (late September to early October), be aware that almost all Nepalis travel home for the festival. Buses are full, hotels book out, and many shops close. Book transport and accommodation 1–2 weeks ahead.
Festival Photography Tips
- Always ask before photographing people — especially women, sadhus and children
- Dress modestly when visiting temples during festivals
- Be careful with cameras during Holi — colour powder can damage electronics
- Arrive early for the best photo spots at chariot processions
- Be respectful during religious ceremonies — do not use flash during prayers
- Bring extra memory cards — festivals are very photogenic
Festival Food
- Dashain: Sacrificial meat (goat, buffalo), sel roti, fruit, sweets
- Tihar: Sel roti, sweets, fruits (especially for Bhai Tika)
- Holi: Bhang (cannabis-infused milk) — traditional but potent!
- Lhosar: Khapse (Tibetan fried cookies), chang (millet beer), guthuk (soup)
- Teej: Dar (special feast the night before the fast)
Timing your Nepal trip around a festival is one of the best ways to experience Nepali culture. Holi, Tihar, Bisket Jatra and Indra Jatra are all tourist-friendly and unforgettable. Check the exact dates for your year of travel — they shift slightly each year. For more on planning your Nepal trip, see our best time to visit Nepal guide and our 10-day Nepal itinerary.
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