Festivals & events
Festivals and events that shape a trip — celebrations, closures, peak prices and when to book ahead.
Holi
Celebration
Mar · approximate dates
The festival of colours, joyously messy in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Lunar date, usually March.
Bisket Jatra
Celebration
Apr
Bhaktapur's new-year chariot festival with a giant tug-of-war. Around mid-April.
Dashain
Closures
Sep–Oct · approximate dates
Nepal's longest festival (~15 days). Shops, offices and services close and transport is packed. Lunar dates, Sep–Oct.
Indra Jatra
Celebration
Sep · approximate dates
Kathmandu's great street festival with masked dances and the Kumari chariot. Lunar date, usually September.
Tihar (Deepawali)
Celebration
Oct–Nov · approximate dates
Five-day festival of lights honouring animals and siblings. Lunar dates, usually October–November.
