Nepal Festival Calendar 2027: Dashain, Tihar and Every Major Celebration

How many festivals does Nepal have each year?

Last updated 7 October 2026. I re-checked the festival dates in the table below against two public holiday calendars. The Dashain and Tihar 2026 holiday dates follow the Nepal government notice for 2083.

There are more than 50 festivals in Nepal's official calendar. Some last a week. Some close the entire country. If you're planning a trek or a visit, the festival calendar isn't just a captivating background. It determines which days flights run, which trails are quiet, which teahouses are fully staffed, and whether the streets of Kathmandu are decorated with oil lamps or deserted because everyone went home to their village.

This guide covers every major festival in 2027, when they fall, what happens, and how they affect your travel plans.

Coming up next: Dashain begins with Ghatasthapana on 11 October 2026, and the main days and government holiday run from 17 to 23 October. Tihar runs from 7 to 11 November 2026, with Laxmi Puja on the evening of 8 November and the government holiday from 8 to 12 November. These dates follow the Nepal government list of public holidays for 2083 (2027). Dates earlier in the year stay in the table below as a record.

The Big Five: Nepal's Most Important Festivals

1. Dashain (Ghatasthapana 11 October, main days and government holiday 17-23 October 2026 / 2027 dates not yet announced)

Nepal's biggest festival. Fifteen days of celebration honouring the goddess Durga's victory over evil. The final five days are the most intense.

What happens: Animal sacrifices (goats, chickens, buffalo) at temples. Elders place tika (red vermillion paste mixed with rice) on the foreheads of younger family members as a blessing. Bamboo swings go up in every village. New clothes for everyone. Family gatherings are mandatory. The entire country feels like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and a national holiday rolled into one.

How it affects trekking: In the days before Dashain, millions of Nepali workers pack domestic flights and buses as they return to their home villages. Teahouse staff also go home, so some lodges (particularly on the Annapurna circuit) may be understaffed or closed. Kathmandu is eerily quiet during the main days. But if you're already on a trek when Dashain starts, it can be magical. Guides and porters celebrate on the trail, and they may invite you to join village ceremonies.

Tips: Book domestic flights early. Don't try to travel by bus on the day before Dashain Tika (the main day). Do try to be near a village or town on Tika day itself.

For the 2026 dates, closures and what they mean for trekking, read our Dashain 2026 guide.

2. Tihar / Deepawali (7-11 November 2026, government holiday 8-12 November / 29-31 October 2027)

The Festival of Lights. Five days, each dedicated to different beings: crows (Day 1), dogs (Day 2), cows and Laxmi Puja (Day 3), oxen and self (Day 4), and siblings (Day 5: Bhai Tika).

What happens: Every house, shop, and temple is decorated with oil lamps, candles, marigold garlands, and rangoli patterns. The evening of Laxmi Puja turns Kathmandu into a sea of light. Groups of children and teenagers go door to door singing Deusi-Bhailo songs (similar to carolling). Dogs wear garlands. Cows get fed special food. It is genuinely beautiful.

How it affects trekking: Less disruption than Dashain. Most teahouses stay open. The lower sections of trails (Pokhara area, lower Annapurna, lower Langtang) may have festive decorations. If you're in Kathmandu for Tihar, spend the evening walking through Patan or Bhaktapur with a camera.

For the 2026 dates, the five days one by one and the trekking impact, read our Tihar 2026 guide.

3. Holi (2-3 March 2026 / 22-23 March 2027)

The Festival of Colours. One day of water and coloured powder thrown at everyone, including tourists.

What happens: In the morning, people gather in squares and streets. Coloured powder (abir/gulal) flies through the air. Water balloons and water guns target anyone within range. By noon, everyone is multicoloured. Music plays from every window. It's chaotic, joyful, and slightly aggressive if you're not expecting it.

How it affects trekking: Holi is mainly a lowland festival. If you're above 3,000m on a trek, you'll probably hear about it from your guide but not experience it. If you're in Kathmandu or Pokhara on Holi day, wear old clothes (colours don't wash out of everything), protect your camera, and join in.

4. Maha Shivaratri (15 February 2026 / 6 March 2027)

The great night of Lord Shiva. The most important Hindu religious festival for devotees of Shiva.

What happens: Tens of thousands of sadhus (holy men) and pilgrims gather at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. Bonfires burn all night. Sadhus openly consume cannabis (bhang) as part of their religious practice. The temple complex becomes an extraordinary scene of devotion, smoke, chanting, and photography. Our Shivaratri tour takes you to the heart of the celebration.

How it affects trekking: No significant impact on trekking operations. Kathmandu hotels near Pashupatinath fill up. If you're flying into Nepal around Shivaratri, book accommodation in advance.

5. Indra Jatra (September 2026 / 14 September 2027)

Kathmandu's own festival. Eight days of masked dances, chariot processions, and the living goddess Kumari being paraded through the streets.

What happens: The festival starts when a wooden pole (lingam) is erected in Kathmandu Durbar Square. Masked dancers perform traditional Newari stories. The Kumari (a pre-pubescent girl worshipped as a living goddess) is pulled through the old city on a chariot. Crowds fill the narrow streets. Local rice beer (chhyang) flows freely. It's the most photogenic festival in Kathmandu.

How it affects trekking: Kathmandu-based only. No impact on treks. But if you're arriving or departing through Kathmandu during Indra Jatra, spend an extra day to see it. Related: Nepal's Festivals: When the Mountains Stop and the Country Dances.

What are the Nepal festival dates for 2027?

Festival	2026	2027	What closes or changes	Trek impact
Maghe Sankranti	14 January	15 January	Government offices closed	None
Sonam Lhosar (Tamang New Year)	January or February (calendars differ)	7 February	Government holiday	Celebrations in Langtang and Helambu
Maha Shivaratri	15 February	6 March	Government offices closed	None on treks. Kathmandu hotels near Pashupatinath fill up
Gyalpo Lhosar (Sherpa New Year)	18 February	Early March (calendars differ: 5 or 9 March)	Government holiday	Celebrations in the Everest region
Holi (Fagu Purnima)	2 to 3 March	22 to 23 March	Government offices closed	Lowlands only
Nepali New Year	14 April	14 April	Government offices closed; Bisket Jatra in Bhaktapur	Some buses and offices closed
Buddha Jayanti	1 May	20 May	Government offices closed	Celebrations at Boudhanath and Lumbini
Haritalika Teej	14 September	3 September	Holiday for women	Women fast and celebrate
Indra Jatra	September	14 September	Kathmandu Valley holiday	Kathmandu only
Dashain	Ghatasthapana 11 October; government holiday 17 to 23 October	Fulpati 6 October to Vijaya Dashami 10 October (government dates not yet announced)	Government offices and banks closed; many local shops and restaurants close around tika; Thamel tourist restaurants stay open	HIGH: transport disruption, some teahouses close
Tihar	Festival 7 to 11 November; Laxmi Puja evening of 8 November; government holiday 8 to 12 November	Laxmi Puja 29 October; Bhai Tika 31 October (government dates not yet announced)	Government offices and banks closed during the holiday	LOW: beautiful decorations on trails
Chhath Puja	15 November	4 November	Celebrated mainly in the Terai	Terai only
Tamu Lhosar (Gurung New Year)	30 December	30 December	Government holiday	Celebrations in the Annapurna region

Note: Most Nepali festivals follow the lunar Bikram Sambat calendar, so exact dates shift each year. The 2026 Dashain and Tihar holiday dates follow the Nepal government holiday notice for 2083. The 2027 dates are the expected dates from public holiday calendars, and the government confirms the holiday list each year. Two dates (Holi in March 2026 and March 2027, and Indra Jatra in 2026) rest on a single calendar, so treat them as close but not final. We confirm exact dates when you book.

How can I combine a trek with a Nepal festival?

Sherpa New Year (Gyalpo Lhosar) + EBC Trek

If you're on the EBC trail in late February or early March, you may coincide with Gyalpo Lhosar in Namche Bazaar. The Sherpa community celebrates with traditional dances, special food, and monastery prayers. Namche transforms from a trekking hub into a Sherpa festival ground.

Tihar + Annapurna Circuit

Trekking the Annapurna Circuit in early November means the lower sections (Besisahar to Chame) may coincide with Tihar (8-12 November in 2026). Walking through villages decorated with oil lamps and marigold garlands is an experience few tourists have.

Dashain + Any Trek

If your trek coincides with Dashain, ask your guide to explain what's happening. You may see tika ceremonies at teahouses, animal sacrifices at trail-side temples, and children playing on bamboo swings. It adds cultural depth to any trek. Just book transport in advance.

When should I avoid traveling in Nepal during festivals?

• Day before Dashain Tika (main day): Do NOT try to catch a domestic flight or long-distance bus. Every seat is booked weeks in advance. Even taxis in Kathmandu become scarce.
• The Dashain government holiday, 17-23 October 2026: Many businesses in Kathmandu close. Tourist restaurants in Thamel stay open, but local shops, banks, and offices close.
• The Tihar government holiday, 8-12 November 2026: Government offices and banks are closed. Do any paperwork and money changing before 7 November.
• Holi in Kathmandu: Unless you want to be covered in paint. Seriously, it's unavoidable if you're outside.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will festivals disrupt my trek?

Only Dashain causes real disruption (transport and teahouse staffing). All other festivals either don't affect trekking areas or add cultural interest without causing problems.

Can I attend festivals as a tourist?

Most festivals are public and welcoming. Pashupatinath during Shivaratri, Durbar Square during Indra Jatra, and any village during Tihar are all open. Temple interiors may restrict non-Hindus, but the exterior celebrations are for everyone.

Should I plan my trip around a festival?

If possible, timing your trip to include Tihar (beautiful, minimal disruption) or Indra Jatra (Kathmandu spectacle) adds genuine value. Avoid arriving during peak Dashain unless you specifically want to experience it, as the transport chaos can waste precious trekking days.

Are festival dates fixed?

No. Nepal uses the Bikram Sambat lunar calendar, so festival dates shift by 10-15 days each year in the Western calendar. Always confirm exact dates for your travel year. We provide current festival dates to all our trekkers during booking.

Nepal doesn't pause for festivals. It accelerates. The country becomes louder, more colourful, and more alive. If you can time even one festival into your trip, do it. You'll understand Nepal in a way that mountains alone can't show you.

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Written by Shreejan Simkhada, CEO of The Everest Holiday and third-generation Himalayan guide. TAAN Member #1586.