Travel guide · Kathmandu
Festivals in Kathmandu
Dashain, Tihar, Indra Jatra and more — when they roughly fall, what happens and how they shape a Kathmandu visit.
Kathmandu's calendar is packed with festivals, and timing your trip around one turns a good visit into an unforgettable one. Because most follow the lunar calendar, dates shift each year — here's roughly when the big ones fall and what to expect.
The short answer
Kathmandu's headline festivals are Dashain (late Sep/Oct) and Tihar/Deepawali (Oct/Nov), the biggest and most atmospheric. Indra Jatra (Sep) fills the old city with masked dances, Holi (Mar) is the festival of colours, Bisket Jatra (Apr) draws crowds to nearby Bhaktapur, and Buddha Jayanti (Apr/May) honours the Buddha's birth. Dates move yearly, so always confirm before booking.
Festival calendar at a glance
| Festival | Roughly when | What happens | Effect on your visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holi | March | Throwing coloured powder and water | Lively, messy, fun — protect your camera |
| Bisket Jatra | April (Nepali New Year) | Chariot processions, mainly in Bhaktapur | Big crowds near Bhaktapur |
| Buddha Jayanti | April/May | Prayers and processions at stupas | Boudhanath and Swayambhunath are busy |
| Indra Jatra | September | Masked dances, the living goddess Kumari appears | Crowds around Durbar Square |
| Dashain | Late Sep/Oct | Family gatherings, blessings, kites | Many shops shut; city quietens |
| Tihar (Deepawali) | Oct/Nov | Oil lamps, marigolds, lights everywhere | Beautiful evenings; some closures |
How festivals affect your trip
The autumn double-act of Dashain and Tihar overlaps with the best weather of the year, so it's a popular and rewarding time to visit — but expect some shops and restaurants to close during Dashain's peak days, packed transport beforehand, and higher accommodation prices. Book well ahead. Most temples and major sights stay open throughout, and the festive atmosphere more than makes up for the occasional closure.
To plan around the seasons, see the best time to visit Kathmandu, line up the sights with the top attractions in Kathmandu, and slot it all into a 3-day Kathmandu itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest festival in Kathmandu?+
Dashain is Nepal's largest and longest festival, running for about 15 days in late September or October. Families reunite, animals are sacrificed at temples, elders give blessings and tika, and kites fill the sky. It is a wonderful time to visit for atmosphere, but many shops and offices close for several days.
When is Tihar (the festival of lights) in Kathmandu?+
Tihar, also called Deepawali, falls in October or November, usually a couple of weeks after Dashain. Homes, streets and shops are decorated with oil lamps, candles and marigold garlands over five days, and it is one of the most beautiful times to wander the city after dark.
Do festivals close shops and attractions in Kathmandu?+
Some do. During the main days of Dashain in particular, many shops, restaurants and offices shut and the city empties as people travel home, while transport gets very busy beforehand. Most temples and major sights stay open, but check ahead and expect a quieter, slower city during the peak festival days.
Why do Nepali festival dates change each year?+
Most Nepali festivals follow the lunar calendar rather than the fixed Gregorian one, so their dates shift by a few weeks from year to year. Always confirm the exact dates for your travel year before booking, as a festival can fall in different months depending on the lunar cycle.
