Nepal is the land of festivities, a country of days and deities; innumerable religious days and deities are as if the life and blood of the people living here. Not a single month passes without the observance of a festivity of one sort or the other, nor a single locality is there without the site or route of a religious deity. Then there are tribes that worship nature, the spirit living in the rivers and the forests. It is estimated that 90 % of the festivals in Nepal have a religious origin and many interesting fables attached to it. Thus, the festivals quite often begin with religious ceremonies and move up with the spontaneous social spirit and end up with friendly feasts and fun. This has been the Nepalese way of celebrating since time immemorial. It is worth mentioning that the same day/festival is sometimes celebrated by the various cultural groups in different socio-cultural contexts, calling it by different names. Here is a comprehensive list of festivals celebrated either nationally or in certain parts of the country by certain ethnoreligious groups. Augmented are some important National holidays too. Note: Almost all of Nepalese festivals follow the lunar calendar, hence the dates of most of the festivals vary every year. Here is the Festival Calendar for the Year 2079 BS.

Festival	When	Where	Why/How	Public Holiday
Nepali New Year	Baisakh 1 14 April	Nationwide	First day of New Year 2079 BS	Yes
Bisket Jatra	Baisakh 1 14 April (Starts on Chaitra 28,  10 April)	Bhaktapur	Bisket Jatra is celebrated to commemorate the First day of the Nepalese Year.	Yes
Sindur Jatra	Baisakh 2 15 April	Thimi	Sindoor Jatra Marks the arrival of Spring, the people of Thimi carry the Khats (palanquin) bearing gods' images around the town.	No
Jibro Chedne Jatra	Baisakh 2 15 April	Bode	Individual gets their tongue pierced, using traditional practices. This unique festival of tongue-piercing is a major highlight in the Biska Jatra celebration in Bode.	No
Hanuman Jayanti	Baisakh 3 16 April	Nationwide	Hindus mainly in Terai, Southern Nepal, organize a street parade in honour of Hanuman the Monkey God, to commemorate his Birthday.	No
Baisakhi	Baisakh 3 21 April	Nationwide	To commemorate the first day of Baisakh (same as Nepali New year) by the Sikh community of Nepal	Only to the Sikh Community of Nepal.
Mata Tirtha Aunshi/ Aama Ko Mukh Herne Din (Mother’s day)	Baisakh 17 30 April	Nationwide	Children pay homage to their mother and if she’s passed on, a prayer to her spirit is made at Matatirtha Pond on the outskirts of Kathmandu, or at the Pashupatinath Temple.	No
Labour Day	Baisakh 18 1 May	Nationwide	Marks the International Labour Day.	Yes
Eid Ul Fitr	Baisakh 20 3 May	Nationwide	Eid Ul Fitr is a month-long fast-breaking festival celebrated by Islam Community nationwide.	Yes
Rato Macchedranath Festival	Baisakh 21   4 May	Patan District	A Chariot procession of Rato Macchedranath (the God of Rain) starts at Pulchok of Patan amongst massive fanfare. The Chariot is pulled through the ancient streets of Patan and goes on for few more days. It is one of the longest street carnivals of Kathmandu Valley.	No
Nepalese Local Election	Baisakh 30   13 May	Nationwide	Nepalese local elections on May 13, 2022 AD (Baisakh 30, 2079 BS), in 6 metropolitan cities, 11 sub-metropolitan cities, 276 municipalities, and 460 rural municipalities will be the second local level election to be held since the promulgation of the new constitution.	Yes
Buddha Jayanti	Jestha 2 16 May	Nationwide	Birth, Enlightenment  & Demise day of Shakyamuni Buddha.	Yes
Ubhauli Parba	Jestha 2 16 May	Nationwide by Kirants	Celebrated by Kirants to worship their land.	Yes
Tiji Festival	Jestha 13-15 27-29 May	Upper Mustang	Tiji is a fascinating annual three-day festival consisting of Tibetan rituals that celebrate the myth of a son who had to save the Mustang kingdom from destruction.	No
Republic Day	Jestha 15 29 May	Nationwide	Nepal celebrates "Ganatantra Diwas", the Republic Day representing the end of the country’s centuries-long monarchy and declaring Nepal as the Federal Democratic Republic.	Yes
Sithi Nakha	Jestha 22 5 June	Kathmandu Valley	This day marks the beginning of the planting season in Nepal and is a designated day for cleaning wells, tanks, stone spouts and ponds to propitiate Basundhara, the Mother Earth.	No
Dahi Chiura Khane Din	Asadh 15 29 June	Nationwide	Celebrated by eating yoghurt and bitten rice which supposedly cures skin disease. This day is also officially marked as rice planting day. However, rice planting depends upon the arrival of the monsoon.	No
Eid al-Adha	Ashad 22 9 July		Eid al-Adha, or the “Feast of Sacrifice,” signifies the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim, known as Abraham in Christianity and Judaism, to sacrifice his son, Ismail as ordered by Allah.	Yes
Harisayani Ekadashi	Ashad 23 10 July		Aka Thuli Ekadashi, devotees plant Tulsi (the holy basil) on this day and observe fast in the name of Lord Vishnu.	No
Bhanu Jayanti	Asadh 29 11 July	Nationwide	Celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of the first poet of Nepal, Adikabi Bhanu Bhakta Acharya.	No
Guru Purnima (The Teachers Day)	Asadh 29 11 July	Nationwide	Paying homage to the teachers. Students and schools organize a special program for their teachers on this day.	No
Guriya Parba	Shrawan 1 17 July	Southern Nepal	It’s a Children’s festival that celebrates the unbreakable love and affection between siblings and is celebrated by Nepalese living in Southern Nepal.	No
Gunla Parba begins	Shrawan 13 29 July	Buddhist Newars of Kathmandu	Newar Buddhists recite the scriptures, observe fasts and visit places of worship playing devotional music for one whole month.	No
Naag Panchami	Shrawan 17 02 August	Nationwide	Hindus worship Naag (serpents) whose burrows are unlivable due to overflow of water during monsoon, with a request not to enter their house or harm their family members.	No
Janai Purnima/Rakchya Bandhan	Shrawan 27 12 August	Nationwide	People tie a sacred thread on the wrist for protection, those wearing Janai will change them on this day. It’s also an auspicious day for Shamans of hilly Nepal, plus a day to celebrate siblinghood, sisters tie rakhi bracelet on brothers’ wrist.	Yes
Gai Jatra	Shrawan 28 13 August	Kathmandu valley	People parade in the guise of cows and hermits begging alms from door to door to commemorate the death of loved ones.	Yes, (Kathmandu only)
Shree Krishna Janmashtami	Bhadra 03 19 August	Nationwide	Celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna	Yes
Kushe Aunshi/ Buwa ko Mukh Herne Din (Father’s Day)	Bhadra 11 27 August	Nationwide	Children pay homage to their father and if he’s passed on, a prayer to his spirit is made at Gokarna or at the Pashupatinath Temple.	No
Gunla Parba ends	Bhadra 12 28 August	Buddhist Newars of Kathmandu	Newar Buddhists recite the scriptures, observe fasts and visit places of worship playing devotional music for one whole month.	No
Haritalika Teej	Bhadra 14 30 August	Nationwide	Married women fast praying for the long life & good health of one’s husband, whereas unmarried fasts in hopes of getting a suitable match like Lord Shiva.	Yes (women only)
Ganesh Chaturthi	Bhadra 15 31 August	Nationwide	A day to commemorate the birthday of the elephant-headed Hindu God "Ganesh"	No
Rishi Panchami	Bhadra 16 1 September	Nationwide	Women and also girls who had their menses make a special bath in the mornings and worship the Sapta Rishi (7 Holy Sages) and their wife Arundhati asking forgiveness for the sins they have committed during the 4 days of the monthly cycle.	No
Gaura Parba	Bhadra 18 3 September	Western Nepal	Hindu Women of Western Nepal celebrate this festival by worshipping Goddess Gauri for their husbands’ long and healthy life.	No
Chepang Chonam Parba	Bhadra 25 10 September	Chepang Community	Chepang Community, one of the tribal kind of Nepal celebrate the day to commemorate the first day their New year.	No
Sorah Shraddha begins	Bhadra 23 11 September	Nationwide	This day marks the beginning of sixteen days of Ancestor worship right before Dashain. People perform rites to all the deceased as back as seven generations.	No
National Children’s Day	Bhadra 29 14 September	Nationwide	Celebrated to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children's welfare.	No
Bishwakarma Puja	Asojh 1 17 September	Nationwide	The birthday of Bishwakarma, This Divine Architect in Hindu Mythology.	No
Jitiya Parba (Jiwit Putrika)	Asojh 2 18 September	Madhesi Mothers of Terai region	Mothers of Terai region (Southern Nepal) worship God Jitmahan Gosain and fast for 24 hours for the well being of their living Children.	Yes, (women only)
Constitution Day	Asojh 3 19 September	Nationwide	Nepal's Constituent Assembly adopted the new constitution in 2015 after deliberating on it for seven years.	Yes
Indra Jatra	Asojh 3 19 September	Kathmandu valley	The eight-day long Newari festival to worship Lord Indra and his mother Dagini concludes on this day. It is celebrated to ensure the upcoming harvest.	Yes, (Kathmandu only)
Sorah Shraddha (Last Day)	Asojh 9 25 September	Nationwide	This day marks the beginning of sixteen days of Ancestor worship right before Dashain. People perform rites to all the deceased as back as seven generations.	No
Ghatasthapana	Asojh 10 26 September	Nationwide	First day of Dashain Festival. On this day, people plant Jamara seeds that are reaped and given as blessings to junior family members along with tika on the Dashain day. This also marks the beginning of Nauratha or Navaratri, when nine different forms of Goddess Durga is worshipped every day.	Yes
Phulpati (Saptami)	Asojh 16 2 October	Nationwide	Seventh-day of Dashain. People bring in nine different types of Phulpati (flowers and leaves) home to include in the veneration of Saptami puja.	Yes
Maha Ashtami	Asojh 17 3 October	Nationwide	Eighth-day of Dashain. People worship tools and vehicles, sacrifice animals at home and at Goddess Durga temples.	Yes
Maha Navami	Asojh 18 4 October	Nationwide	Ninth-day of Dashain People worship tools and vehicles, sacrifice animals at home and at Goddess Durga temples.	Yes
Dashain/ Bada Dashain/ Vijaya Dashami	Asojh 19 5 October	Nationwide	Tenth-day and main day of Dashain It is a joyous day when families visit each other to receive Tika and Jamara blessings, they make merry by playing cards, singing, dancing while hosting a big feast. Linge Ping (bamboo swing) is very famous in this season. It is believed that mount this Linge ping and one has to untouch the earth on this day.	Yes
Kojagrat Purnima	Asojh 23 9 October	Nationwide	Fifteenth/ concluding day of Dashain. A day to worship Goddess Laxmi (goddess of wealth) and make vigil all night.	No
Dhanteras	Kartik 5 22 October	Nationwide	To commemorate Tihar, the festival of lights, people on this day buy precious metals and worship it on the Laxmi puja day.	No
Kaag Tihar	Kartik 6 23 October	Nationwide	The first day of Tihar, the festival of lights.	No
Laxmi Puja/Kukur Tihar	Kartik 7 24 October	Nationwide	The dogs are worshipped this day as Yama’s gatekeeper on the occasion of Kukur PUja Usually, Laxmi Puja falls on the third day but due to Tithi overlaps the day is on the second day of Tihar.  Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and fortune is worshipped at night. Houses are cleaned and decked with hopes for Laxmi to stop by and bless the family members.	Yes
Gai Puja	Kartik 8 25 October	Nationwide	It’s the main day of Tihar when cows are worshipped in the mornings to thank for the food essentials they provide.	Yes
Gobardhan Puja/ Mha Puja/ Nyudaya Bhintuna	Kartik 9 27 October	Nationwide	People worship Ox for their contribution to the farm throughout the year. This day also commemorates the day when Lord Krishna lifted Gobardhan hill on his pinky finger to save Gopala people from torrential rain. Mha Puja is worship of oneself by the Newar Community and this day also marks their New Years day called Nyudaya Bhintuna	Yes
Bhaitika	Kartik 10 27 October	Nationwide	Last day of Tihar. It is celebrated to strengthen siblinghood ties. Sisters on this day perform special worship for brothers’ long and healthy life and also pray to Yama that no brother-sister are separated by death on this day.	Yes
Chhat Parba	Kartik 13 30 October	Nationwide	The biggest festival in Terai, Southern Nepal involves the worship of the Sun god and his sister Chhati Mai.	Yes
Haribodhini Ekadashi	Kartik 8 4 November	Nationwide	The Tulsi planted on Harisayani Ekadashi is married to Lord Vishnu on this day, and devotees fast all day long.	No
Guru Nanak Jayanti	Kartik 23 9 November	Sikhs	Celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru.	Only to sikhs
Mahaguru Falgunanda Jayanti	Kartik 25 11 November	Kirant Community of Nepal	The birth anniversary of Kiranti Guru Falgunanada	Yes
Bala Chaturdashi/ Satbij Charne Din	Mangshir 6 22 November	Nationwide	Bereaved family members observe a ritual in the remembrance of deceased ones. They keep vigil all night and offer satbij (seven varieties of paddy seeds) in a traverse path around the Pashupatinath temple the next day after a holy dip in Bagmati river at the break of dawn.	No
Bibaha Panchami	Mangshir 12 28 November	Nationwide	A holy to day to commemorate Sita-Ram marriage ceremony	Yes
Udhauli Parba Yomari Punhi	Mangshir 22 8 December	Nationwide	Kiranti clan celebrate Udhauli Parba to commemorate the setting in of the Winter Season. Newar clan celebrate Yomari Punhi by making a special sweet called Yomari, to mark the end of the harvesting season of the year.	Yes
Christmas	Poush 10 25 December	Nationwide	Celebrated to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.	Yes
Tamu Loshar	Poush 15 30 December	Nationwide by Gurungs	A New Year celebration of Gurung Community.	Yes
Tol Loshar	Poush 19 3 January	People of Humla, Dolpa, Mugu and Manang	Tol means Time-cycle. It is one of the oldest Lhosar (New Year) celebrated by the Indigenous community from  Humla, Dolpa, Mugu and Manang districts.	No
Sri Swasthani Brata Katha begins (a month long)	Poush 22 6 January	Kathmandu	This day marks the beginning of a sacred and month-long ritual when devotees read the holy scripture of Goddess Swasthani every day and observe fast.	No
Madhav Narayan Jatra begins (a month long)	Poush 22 6 January	Bhaktapur	Hindu devotees of Bhaktapur make prostrations and carry out Kalasha Yatra in honour of Lord Vishnu, who in this month is called as Madhav Narayan.	No
Prithvi Jayanti/ National Unity Day	Poush 27 1 January		The day to commemorate the birth anniversary of Prithvi Narayan Shah, the unifier of Nepal.	No
Maghe Sankranti/ Maghi	Magh 1 15 January	Nationwide	The first day of the Sun’s transit into Makara Rashi, (Capricorn) marking the end of the month with the winter solstice. A very special day for the Tharu community of Southern Nepal and also the Magars of Hills.	Yes
Sonam Loshar	Magh 8 22 January	Tamang Community	A New year celebrated by Tamang Community.	Yes
Basanta Panchami/ Saraswati Puja	Magh 13 26 January	Nationwide	This day officially heralds Spring. Students worship the Goddess of wisdom Saraswati and children of age 3 also learn their first alphabets on this day with the Goddess’ blessings.	No
Sri Swasthani Brata Katha Samapti	Falgun 22 5 February	Kathmandu	A month-long sacred festival of Goddess Swasthani concludes on this day. Devotees break their fast and celibacy with a big ritual.	No
Madhav Narayan Jatra ends	Falgun 22 5 February	Bhaktapur	Hindu devotees of Bhaktapur make prostrations and carry out Kalasha Yatra in honour of Lord Vishnu, who in this month is called as Madhav Narayan.	No
Maha Shiva Ratri	Falgun 6 18 February	Nationwide	Birth anniversary of Lord Shiva. Devotees throng the Pashupatinath temple and other Shiva temples and fast for Him to seek blessings for one’s family.	Yes
National Democracy Day (Election day)	Falgun 7 19 February		It is the day when Nepal saw the downfall of Rana Regime that ruled Nepal for 104 years old and Democracy was established in Nepal.	Yes
Gyalpo Loshar	Falgun 9 21 February	Sherpa Community	A New year celebrated by Sherpa Community.	Yes
Fagu Purnima/Holi	Falgun 22 6 March	Hills and Himalayas	Festival of colours/ Spring Festival is celebrated joyously throughout the nation by smearing colours on people’s face and throwing water balloons at each other.	Yes
Fagu Purnima/Holi	Falgun 23 7 March	Terai Only	Festival of colours/ Spring Festival is celebrated joyously throughout the nation by smearing colours on people’s face and throwing water balloons at each other.	Yes
Naari Diwas	Falgun 24 8 March	Nationwide	International Women’s Day	Yes
Ghode Jatra	Chaitra 7 21 March	Kathmandu	Horses are paraded at Tundikhel grounds in presence of the President, Prime Minister and other dignitaries. The Newars celebrate it by paying homage to local goddesses and organizing feast in the family.	Yes, (Kathmandu only)
Matshya Jayanti	Chaitra 10 24 March	Nationwide	Celebrated in honour of Matshyendranath, the fish incarnation of Lord Vishnu.	No
Chaitra Dashain	Chaitra 15 29 March	Nationwide	aka Sano-Dashain or mini Dashain. Celebrated with equal enthusiasm as main Dashain that falls in Autumn.	No
Seto Machhendranath Jatra	Chaitra 15 29 March	Kathmandu	The idol of Seto Macchendranath/Avalokiteshwara is paraded through the ancient streets of Kathmandu.	No
Ram Navami	Chaitra 16 30 March	Nationwide	Celebrated to commemorate the birth of Lord Ram.	No
Hanuman Jayanti	Chaitra 26 6 April	Nationwide	Hindus mainly in Terai, Southern Nepal, organize a street parade in honour of Hanuman the Monkey God, to commemorate his Birthday.	No

Featured Photo of Rato Macchendranath Chariot at Pulchok.