About Nepalese Festival Calendar 2026: Nepal is a land of vibrant culture, rich traditions, and colorful festivals. From ancient religious rituals to community celebrations, 2026 promises a year full of cultural experiences. Explore the Nepalese Festival Calendar 2026 to plan your travels and photography trips, and discover the best places to witness each festival.
January 2026 – Nepalese Festival Calendar 2026
03 Jan to 01 Feb, 2026 – Swasthani Barta
Swasthani Barta is a month-long Hindu fasting festival dedicated to Goddess Swasthani and Lord Shiva. Women dressed in bright red and saffron attire observe fasts, gather for prayers, and take holy dips in sacred rivers.
Best places for photography: Salinadi in Sankhu, Bhaktapur, Patan. Capture the colorful offerings, oil lamps, and ritualistic ceremonies along the riverbanks.
14 January 2026 – Maghe Sankranti
Maghe Sankranti is a harvest festival celebrated by taking dips in rivers and worshipping the Sun God. Folklore suggests girls who take the dip get handsome husbands, and boys get beautiful brides.
Best places for photography: Chitwan, Dang, Bardia focusing on the Tharu community in traditional attire.
19 January 2026 – Sonam Lhosar
Sonam Lhosar marks the New Year of the Tamang community, celebrated on the first day of the new moon after the winter solstice. Local homes and community gatherings are vibrant and photogenic.
Best activity: Visit local homes to witness Tamang New Year celebrations.
February 2026 – Nepalese Festival Calendar 2026
15 February 2026 – Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Devotees gather at Pashupatinath Temple to pray, meditate, and witness colorful sadhus performing rituals and yoga.
Best places for photography: Pashupati area capturing sadhus and devotees.
18 February 2026 – Gyalpo Lhosar
Gyalpo Lhosar marks the Tibetan New Year, celebrated by the Sherpa, Tamang, Bhutia, and Yolmo communities. It features cultural dances, rituals, and family gatherings.
Best places for photography: Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu.
March 2026 – Nepalese Festival Calendar 2026
02-03 March 2026 – Holi (Fagu Purnima)
Holi, the festival of colors, marks the end of winter and beginning of spring. People play with colors and celebrate with joy.
Best places for photography: Kathmandu, Janakpur capturing vibrant color celebrations.
18 March 2026 – Ghode Jatra
Ghode Jatra, the Horse Festival, showcases Nepalese army horses, motorcycling feats, and gymnastics, originating from legends of preventing a demon’s rise.
Best places for photography: Tundikhel showgrounds, Kathmandu.
26 March 2026 – Swet Machindranath Jatra
This festival celebrates the rain god Seto Machindranath with grand chariot processions, music, and dances.
Best places for photography: Kathmandu Valley.
27 March 2026 – Ram Nawami
Ram Nawami celebrates the birth of Lord Rama. Devotees fast, perform pujas, and participate in processions.
Best places for photography: Temples crowded with devotees.
April 2026 – Nepalese Festival Calendar 2026
14 April 2026 – Nepalese New Year (2083 BS)
The Nepalese New Year is celebrated with Bisket Jatra in Bhaktapur, including chariot processions, cultural performances, and rituals.
Best places for photography: Bhaktapur, Kathmandu Durbar Square.
15 April 2026 – Sindur Jatra in Thimi
Part of Bisket Jatra, Sindur Jatra involves throwing vermilion powder and lively processions celebrating the New Year.
Best places for photography: Madhyapur Thimi, Bhaktapur.
18 April 2026 – Rato Machindranath Jatra
This festival honors the rain god Rato Machindranath with a massive chariot procession, traditional music, and rituals lasting two weeks. Bhoto Jatra, the final day, is a public holiday in Kathmandu Valley on 1 June.
Best places for photography: Lalitpur, Patan, Bungmati.
29 April 2026 – Mother’s Day in Nepal (Mata Tirtha Aunsi)
Families honor mothers with prayers, offerings, and cultural events at Mata Tirtha Temple and other sacred sites.
Best places for photography: Mata Tirtha Temple, Kathmandu.
May 2026 – Nepalese Festival Calendar 2026
01 May 2026 – Buddha Jayanti
Buddha Jayanti celebrates Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death. Devotees gather at Swayambhu and Boudhanath stupas for prayers, processions, and rituals.
Best places for photography: Boudhanath Stupa, Lumbini.
01 May 2026 – Ubhauli Parba
Ubhauli Parba, observed by the Kirat community, marks the upward migration to hills and the start of planting season.
Best places for photography: Open Parade Ground (Tundikhel), Kathmandu.
14-16 May 2026 – Tiji Festival in Lo Manthang, Mustang
Tiji, meaning “Chasing of Demons,” is a three-day Tibetan Buddhist festival featuring mask dances, rituals, and ceremonies in Lo Manthang.
Best places for photography: Lo Manthang, Upper Mustang.
31 May 2026 – Saga Dawa Festival at Tarboche, Tibet
Saga Dawa marks Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death. Celebrated at Mt. Kailash with pilgrimages, prayers, offerings, and Lama dances.
June 2026 – Nepalese Festival Calendar 2026
20 June 2026 – Sithi Nakha
A Newar festival marking the end of monsoon with cleaning streets, water sources, and offering prayers for health and prosperity.
29 June 2026 – Panauti Jatra
Annual festival celebrated in Panauti with processions, rituals, and cultural performances.
July 2026 – Nepalese Festival Calendar 2026
01 July 2026 – Ropain (Rice Pudding Eating Day)
Celebrated with traditional foods to mark the rice planting season.
15 July 2026 – Gunla Parva
A month-long Buddhist festival in Lalitpur commemorating Buddha’s attainment of wisdom with scripture recitations, fasts, and rituals.
23 July 2026 – Gathemangal Newari Festival
Gathemangal celebrates the expulsion of demons with effigy burning, dances, and rituals across Kathmandu Valley.
August 2026 – Nepalese Festival Calendar 2026
17 August 2026 – Nag Panchami
Hindu festival honoring snakes by offering milk and rice.
28-29 August 2026 – Janai Purnima and Gai Jatra
Janai Purnima involves changing sacred threads, while Gai Jatra is a colorful procession honoring cows and deceased relatives.
Best places for photography: Naag Pokharai (Janai Purnima), Bhaktapur (Gai Jatra).
September 2026 – Nepalese Festival Calendar 2026
04 September 2026 – Shree Krishna Janmastami
Celebrates Lord Krishna’s birth with fasting, temple visits, prayers, and devotional songs.
Best places for photography: Krishna temples, Patan.
05 September 2026 – Bag Vairab Yatra at Kirtipur
Local festival honoring Bagh Bhairab with processions, music, and rituals.
11 September 2026 – Father’s Day (Kushe Aunshi)
Families honor fathers with rituals, tika, and special meals at temples like Gokarna Mahadev Temple.
14 September 2026 – Teej
Fasting festival for women, celebrating Lord Shiva, with traditional dances, songs, and prayers for marital bliss.
Best places for photography: Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu.
25 September 2026 – Indra Jatra
Week-long festival honoring Lord Indra and the living goddess Kumari with chariot processions, mask dances, and cultural events.
Best places for photography: Kathmandu Durbar Square.
26 September 2026 – Siddhi Pokhari Mela in Bhaktapur
Annual festival with rituals, cultural performances, and market fairs centered around Siddhi Pokhari pond in Bhaktapur.
October 2026 – Nepalese Festival Calendar 2026
04 October 2026 – Jitiya Festival of Tharu Community
Three-day festival dedicated to children’s health, celebrated by Tharu and Maithil mothers with fasting, prayers, and traditional dances.
11-22 October 2026 – Dasain
Nepal’s largest festival celebrating the victory of good over evil, including Ghatasthapana, Phulpati, Maha Ashtami, Mahanavami, Vijaya Dashami, and Kojagrat Purnima with rituals, family gatherings, and feasts.
November 2026 – Nepalese Festival Calendar 2026
07-11 November 2026 – Tihar (Festival of Lights)
Five-day festival honoring crows, dogs, cows, and oxen with lights, sweets, and Laxmi Puja celebrations.
15 November 2026 – Chhath Festival in Janakpur
Devotees perform rituals to the Sun God with offerings, fasting, and prayers at sacred rivers and ponds.
21 November 2026 – Haribodhini Ekadashi
Observed with prayers and rituals marking the end of Chaturmas.
30 November 2026 – Falgunanda Jayani for Mangol/Kirati people
Traditional Kirati festival celebrated with dances, rituals, and community gatherings.
December 2026 – Nepalese Festival Calendar 2026
06-07 December 2026 – Marga Shirsa Sankrati & Bala Chaturdarshi
Rituals at Pashupatinath Temple marking the sun’s transition and honoring young Shiva devotees with processions and offerings.
14 December 2026 – Bibah Panchami at Janakpur
Commemorates the divine wedding of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita with reenactments, processions, music, and cultural performances at Janaki Temple.
19 December 2026 – Indrayani Jatra at Kirtipur
Festival celebrated with chariot processions, masked dances, music, and community rituals honoring goddess Indrayani.
30 December 2026 – Tamu Lhosar (Gurung New Year)
Celebrated with dances, music, traditional rituals, and community gatherings in Kathmandu and Gurung villages.
01 January 2027 – English New Year / Nepali Topi Diwas
Celebrate the English New Year and Nepali Topi Diwas with fireworks, parties, and traditional Dhaka topis, showcasing Nepalese identity.
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