January 2027
All about Nepal Festivals Calendar 2027: Nepal has festivals throughout the year, from Hindu and Buddhist celebrations to Newar jatras, Himalayan festivals and traditional celebrations of different ethnic communities. For travellers interested in culture, photography and local experiences, planning a Nepal trip around a festival can make the journey very special.
Here is our Nepal Festival Calendar 2027 with the main dates currently available. Some local festivals follow lunar calendars and their detailed programmes may be confirmed closer to the festival.
January 1, 2027 – English New Year and Nepali Topi Diwas
English New Year is celebrated across Nepal, while Topi Diwas celebrates Nepali identity through the traditional Dhaka topi. Kathmandu’s Thamel, Durbar Marg and heritage areas are lively during the evening.
January 15, 2027 – Maghe Sankranti
Maghe Sankranti marks the beginning of the month of Magh and is celebrated with holy bathing, worship and traditional foods such as sesame sweets, ghee and chaku. The festival is particularly important among the Tharu communities of the Terai.
Best places: Chitwan, Dang and Bardia.
January 21–24, 2027 – Mane Festival, Humla
The Mane Festival is a traditional winter celebration of the Nyinba community in Buraunse, Humla. Traditional dress, mask dances, music, rituals and community gatherings make this one of the lesser-known cultural festivals of Nepal.
Note: The 2027 date is currently reported for January 21–24 and should be reconfirmed locally before travel.
January 22–February 20, 2027 – Swasthani Brata
Swasthani Brata is a month-long Hindu religious observance dedicated to Goddess Swasthani and Lord Shiva. Salinadi in Sankhu is the main pilgrimage site, with devotees gathering for prayers, fasting and ritual bathing.
Best place: Salinadi, Sankhu.
February 2027
February 7, 2027 – Sonam Lhosar
Sonam Lhosar marks the New Year of the Tamang community. Families visit monasteries, perform rituals, share food and celebrate with traditional music and dances.
Best places: Kathmandu Valley and Tamang villages.
February 19–22, 2027 – Mane Festival in Simikot
Removed from the main calendar. The earlier February date appears to be incorrect for the 2027 Buraunse Mane Festival. The currently reported festival date is January 21–24.
March 2027
March 6, 2027 – Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri is one of Nepal’s major Hindu festivals. Thousands of devotees gather at Pashupatinath, while sadhus, pilgrims, music, rituals and evening celebrations fill the temple area.
Best place: Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu.
March 9, 2027 – Gyalpo Lhosar
Gyalpo Lhosar marks the Tibetan New Year and is celebrated by Sherpa and other Himalayan Buddhist communities. Monasteries and Buddhist centres hold prayers, dances and cultural gatherings.
Best place: Boudhanath and Himalayan communities.
March 21, 2027 – Holi in the Hills
Holi, the festival of colours, marks the arrival of spring. People gather in streets and public squares to celebrate with colours, music and dancing.
Best places: Kathmandu Valley and hill districts.
March 22, 2027 – Holi in the Terai
The Terai observes Holi one day after the hills, with lively celebrations throughout the southern plains of Nepal.
March 27–29, 2027 – Seto Machindranath Jatra
Seto Machindranath Jatra is a three-day chariot festival in the old city of Kathmandu. The chariot moves through historic neighbourhoods including Asan, Indra Chowk and Hanuman Dhoka, accompanied by traditional Newari music and rituals.
Best places: Asan, Indra Chowk and Kathmandu Durbar Square.
April 2027
April 6, 2027 – Ghode Jatra
Ghode Jatra, the Horse Festival, is held at Tundikhel in Kathmandu. The Nepal Army presents horse-riding skills, jumping, acrobatics and other displays.
Best place: Tundikhel, Kathmandu.
April 14, 2027 – Nepali New Year 2084
Nepali New Year marks the beginning of 2084 Bikram Sambat. One of the best-known celebrations is Bisket Jatra in Bhaktapur, with chariot processions, the raising of the ceremonial pole and traditional Newari festivities.
Best places: Bhaktapur, Kathmandu and other Newar towns.
April 15, 2027 – Sindur Jatra, Thimi
Sindur Jatra in Madhyapur Thimi is celebrated with colourful chariots, vermilion powder, traditional music and large community gatherings.
Best place: Madhyapur Thimi, Bhaktapur.
April 15, 2027 – Ram Navami
Ram Navami celebrates the birth of Lord Rama. Devotees visit temples, fast, pray and participate in religious gatherings.
Best places: Rama temples and Hindu pilgrimage sites.
April–June 2027 – Rato Machindranath Jatra
Rato Machindranath Jatra is one of Lalitpur’s most important festivals and one of Nepal’s longest chariot festivals. The enormous wooden chariot moves through the historic streets of Patan before the festival concludes with Bhoto Jatra at Jawalakhel.
Important: Exact 2027 dates should be confirmed closer to the festival. Current published calendars place the festival roughly from early April into early June.
Best places: Patan, Lalitpur and Bungamati.
May 2027
May 6, 2027 – Mata Tirtha Aunsi / Mother’s Day
Nepal’s traditional Mother’s Day is a time for families to honour mothers. Many people visit Mata Tirtha and other temples, offering prayers, food and gifts.
Best place: Mata Tirtha, Kathmandu.
May 20, 2027 – Buddha Jayanti
Buddha Jayanti commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing of Gautama Buddha. Swayambhunath, Boudhanath and Lumbini are important places for prayers, processions and offerings.
Best places: Lumbini, Boudhanath and Swayambhunath.
May 20, 2027 – Ubhauli Parba
Ubhauli is celebrated by the Kirat communities and is connected with the beginning of the planting season and the movement towards the hills. Sakela dancing, music and community gatherings are important parts of the celebration.
Best place: Tundikhel and Kirat communities.
June 2027
June 1–3, 2027 – Tiji Festival, Lo Manthang
Tiji is a three-day Tibetan Buddhist festival in Lo Manthang, Upper Mustang. Monks perform masked dances and rituals symbolising the victory of good over destructive forces.
Best place: Lo Manthang, Upper Mustang.
June 10, 2027 – Sithi Nakha
Sithi Nakha is an important Newar festival associated with cleaning wells, ponds, stone taps and other traditional water sources. Families also prepare traditional Newari food and perform religious rituals.
Best places: Patan, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu Valley.
June 18, 2027 – Saga Dawa
Saga Dawa is an important Tibetan Buddhist festival commemorating the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing. At Tarboche near Mount Kailash, pilgrims gather for prayers, ceremonies and the famous raising of the prayer-flag pole.
Best place: Tarboche, Mount Kailash region.
June 29, 2027 – Ropain / National Paddy Day
Ropain is Nepal’s rice-planting festival. Farmers and visitors traditionally play in the mud, plant rice seedlings and enjoy dahi chiura, beaten rice with yoghurt.
Best places: Rural farms around Kathmandu, Chitwan and other agricultural areas.
July 2027
July 25, 2027 – Gathemangal
Gathemangal, also known as Ghantakarna, is a traditional Newar festival observed to drive away evil spirits. Effigies, rituals and local traditions can be seen throughout Kathmandu Valley.
Best places: Kathmandu Valley.
August 2027
August 6, 2027 – Nag Panchami
Nag Panchami is dedicated to the worship of serpent deities. Families place images of Nag above their doors and make offerings for protection and good fortune.
August 13–September 11, 2027 – Gunla Parva
Gunla is a sacred month for Newar Buddhists. Devotees visit Buddhist shrines, observe religious practices and take part in traditional musical and cultural processions.
Best places: Kathmandu Valley, especially Kathmandu and Patan.
August 17, 2027 – Janai Purnima / Raksha Bandhan
Janai Purnima is marked by the changing of the sacred thread, ritual bathing and the tying of protective threads. It is also an important pilgrimage day for Gosaikunda.
Best places: Gosaikunda, Kathmandu and Patan.
August 18, 2027 – Gai Jatra
Gai Jatra honours deceased family members through processions, traditional costumes, music, humour and satire. Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan each have their own character during the festival.
Best places: Kathmandu and Bhaktapur.
August 18, 2027 – Bagh Bhairab Jatra, Kirtipur
Bagh Bhairab Jatra is a local celebration dedicated to Bagh Bhairab, an important deity of Kirtipur. Traditional rituals, music and community processions make it a colourful local event.
August 25, 2027 – Krishna Janmashtami
Krishna Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. Devotees gather at temples for fasting, prayers, singing and night-time worship.
Best place: Krishna Mandir, Patan.
August 31, 2027 – Kushe Aunshi / Father’s Day
Kushe Aunshi, Nepal’s traditional Father’s Day, is a day to honour fathers and paternal figures. Gokarna Mahadev Temple is particularly associated with the festival.
Best place: Gokarna, Kathmandu.
September 2027
September 3, 2027 – Teej
Teej is one of Nepal’s most colourful festivals for Hindu women. Women dress in red, fast, sing and dance, and gather at temples to pray and celebrate.
Best place: Pashupatinath Temple.
September 14–21, 2027 – Indra Jatra
Indra Jatra is Kathmandu’s great street festival, combining chariot processions, masked dances, traditional music and the Kumari Jatra. Kathmandu Durbar Square and the surrounding old city become the centre of the celebrations.
Best place: Kathmandu Durbar Square.
September 17, 2027 – Biswakarma Puja
Biswakarma Puja honours Vishwakarma, the traditional deity associated with craftsmanship, tools and machinery. Workshops, factories and businesses perform special pujas for their equipment.
September 23, 2027 – Jitiya Festival
Jitiya is especially important among Tharu and other communities of the Terai. Mothers observe fasting and prayers for the health and longevity of their children.
Best places: Terai communities, particularly around Chitwan and eastern/southern Nepal.
September 2027 – Siddhi Pokhari Mela, Bhaktapur
The Siddhi Pokhari Mela is a local Bhaktapur festival centred around the historic Siddhi Pokhari pond, with religious activities and local gatherings.
2027 date: To be confirmed.
October 2027
September 30–October 14, 2027 – Dashain
Dashain is Nepal’s biggest annual festival and a major time for family reunions. The fifteen-day celebration includes Ghatasthapana, Phulpati, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami, Vijaya Dashami and Kojagrat Purnima.
September 30 – Ghatasthapana
The first day of Dashain marks the sowing of Jamara and the beginning of the festival.
October 6 – Phulpati
Phulpati is an important seventh day of Dashain, marked by the ceremonial arrival of sacred plants and flowers.
October 7 – Maha Ashtami
Maha Ashtami is an important day of worship dedicated to Goddess Durga, with special rituals and sacrifices at many temples.
October 8 – Maha Navami
Maha Navami is another major day of Durga worship, with temples and military shrines particularly active.
October 9 – Vijaya Dashami / Dashain Tika
This is the main Dashain day. Families gather to receive tika and blessings from elders.
October 14 – Kojagrat Purnima
Kojagrat Purnima marks the closing of the fifteen-day Dashain period.
October–November 2027
October 27–31, 2027 – Tihar
Tihar, Nepal’s Festival of Lights, is celebrated over five days with worship of crows, dogs, cows, Laxmi, oxen and brothers and sisters. Houses are decorated with lamps, flowers and colourful lights.
October 27 – Kag Tihar
The first day honours crows, traditionally regarded as messengers.
October 28 – Kukur Tihar
Dogs are worshipped with garlands, tika and food.
October 29 – Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja
Cows are honoured during the day and Goddess Laxmi is worshipped in the evening with lamps and decorations.
October 30 – Goru Tihar and Mha Puja
Oxen are honoured and the Newar community celebrates Mha Puja. This is also the beginning of Nepal Sambat 1148.
October 31 – Bhai Tika
Sisters apply the traditional multi-coloured tika to their brothers and pray for their health, safety and long life.
November 2027
November 4, 2027 – Chhath
Chhath is especially important in Nepal’s Terai and is dedicated to the Sun God. Devotees gather at rivers, ponds and lakes to make offerings to the setting and rising sun.
Best place: Janakpur, especially the sacred ponds around the city.
November 11, 2027 – Falgunanda Jayanti
Falgunanda Jayanti honours Mahaguru Falgunanda and is especially important to the Kirat community.
Best place in Kathmandu Valley: Chumlunghim, Lalitpur.
November 17, 2027 – Mangsir Sankranti
Mangsir Sankranti marks the Sun’s transition into Scorpio and the beginning of the Nepali solar month of Mangsir. Religious offerings and pujas are performed at temples including Pashupatinath.
November 20, 2027 – Lhabab Düchen
Lhabab Düchen is an important Tibetan Buddhist festival commemorating the Buddha’s return from the realm of the gods.
Best places: Buddhist monasteries and communities.
December 2027
December 3, 2027 – Bibah Panchami, Janakpur
Bibah Panchami commemorates the divine wedding of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. Janaki Temple in Janakpur becomes the centre of elaborate religious ceremonies and processions.
Best place: Janakpur.
December 7, 2027 – Bala Chaturdashi
Bala Chaturdashi is an important festival for remembering deceased family members. At Pashupatinath, devotees traditionally spend the night and scatter seven types of seeds in the sacred area.
Best place: Pashupatinath Temple.
December 8, 2027 – Indrayani Jatra, Kirtipur
Indrayani Jatra is a traditional local festival in Kirtipur, featuring processions, music, rituals and worship of the goddess Indrayani.
December 13, 2027 – Yomari Punhi and Udhauli
Yomari Punhi marks the end of the rice harvest among Newar communities. Families prepare yomari, a traditional steamed rice-flour delicacy filled with chaku and sesame.
The same full-moon day is also associated with Udhauli Parva, celebrated by Kirat communities as the seasonal migration towards lower areas.
Best places: Patan, Bhaktapur and eastern Nepal.
December 14, 2027 – Matina Paru
Matina Paru is a Newar celebration associated with love and courtship. It is sometimes described as Nepal’s traditional Valentine’s Day and follows Yomari Punhi.
Best places: Patan and other Newar communities.
December 30, 2027 – Tamu Lhosar
Tamu Lhosar marks the New Year of the Gurung community. Traditional dress, music, dance and community gatherings are held in Gurung settlements and at Tundikhel in Kathmandu.
Best places: Tundikhel, Pokhara and Gurung villages.
A Year of Festivals in Nepal
Nepal’s festival calendar is not limited to the major national celebrations. Every month brings local jatras, religious observances and community festivals, particularly in the Kathmandu Valley and the Himalayan and Terai regions.
For travellers, these festivals offer an opportunity to see Nepal beyond its mountains and trekking routes. If your travel dates are flexible, choosing a trip around one of these festivals can add a completely different dimension to your visit.
Festival dates based on lunar calendars can change or be confirmed closer to the event. For important festival travel, we recommend checking the final local programme before making your arrangements.
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