Nepali Festival Calendar 2082/2083
Upcoming festivals with astronomically computed dates
Upcoming Festivals
Loading festival data...
Festival dates computed astronomically via Swiss Ephemeris. For official holidays, consult Nepal government gazette.
Nepal's Rich Festival Culture
Nepal is often called the land of festivals, celebrating over 50 major festivals throughout the year. These festivals are deeply intertwined with the lunar Bikram Sambat calendar, and their dates shift each year based on astronomical calculations of tithis (lunar days), nakshatras (lunar mansions), and planetary positions.
Nepali festivals span multiple religious and ethnic traditions — Hindu, Buddhist, Newari, Kirant, and many indigenous communities each contribute unique celebrations. Many festivals are national holidays, while others are observed regionally. The categories below help you explore this rich tapestry of cultural celebrations.
National Festivals
National festivals are celebrated across Nepal regardless of ethnicity or religion. Dashain (Vijaya Dashami) is the longest and most important festival, spanning 15 days in Ashwin/Kartik. Tihar (Deepawali), the festival of lights, follows about two weeks later with five days of celebration honoring crows, dogs, cows, oxen, and siblings. Holi, the festival of colors, marks the arrival of spring in Falgun. Other major national festivals include Maghe Sankranti, Shivaratri, and Teej.
Newari Festivals
The Newar community of Kathmandu Valley has an extraordinarily rich festival calendar. Indra Jatra, celebrated in September, features masked dances and the display of the living goddess Kumari. Bisket Jatra in Bhaktapur marks the Newari New Year with dramatic chariot processions. Mha Puja, the worship of the self, is a unique Newari celebration during Tihar. Gunla, a month-long Buddhist observance, fills the valley with devotional music and pilgrimages.
Buddhist Festivals
Buddhism has deep roots in Nepal, the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama. Buddha Jayanti (Vesak) celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha and is a major national holiday. Losar marks the Tibetan New Year and is widely celebrated in mountain communities. Lhosar festivals (Sonam Lhosar, Gyalpo Lhosar, Tamu Lhosar) are celebrated by different ethnic groups. Saga Dawa, the holiest month in Tibetan Buddhism, brings special observances at stupas and monasteries across Nepal.