Festival | When | Where | Why | Public Holiday |
| Nepali New Year | Baisakh 1 14 April | Nationwide | First day of New Year 2082 BS | Yes |
Biske Jatra Sindur Jatra Bode Jatra | Baisakh 1 14 April (Starts on Chaitra 28, April 10) | Bhaktapur | Bisket Jatra, Sindur Jatra and Bode Jatra are celebrated in Bhaktapur district of Kathmandu Valley to commemorate the First day of the Nepalese Year. | Yes |
| Loktantra Diwas | Baisakh 11, April 24 | Nationwide | commemorating the end of the monarchy and the establishment of a democratic republic | No |
| Mothers Day (Mata tirtha aaunsi/ Aama ko mukh herney din) | Baisakh 14, 27 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. Also marks the starting of Rato matsyandranath Jatra | Yes |
| Buddha Jayanti, | Baisakh 29 12 May | Nationwide | Birth, Enlightenment & Demise day of Shakyamuni Buddha. | Yes |
| Ubhauli Parba | Baisakh 29 12 May | Kirati communities | It is a celebration of gratitude to nature for a good harvest and the beginning of the summer season | Yes |
| Ganatantra Diwas | Jestha 15, 29 May | Nationwide | commemorates the declaration of Nepal as a republic and the end of the 240-year reign of the Shah kings | Yes |
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 |
| Guru Purnima | Asadh 26, 10 July | Nationwide | Celebrated to pay respect and gratitude to the teachers and spiritual guide | No |
| Bhanu Jayanti | Asadh 29 13 July | Nationwide | Celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of the first poet of Nepal, Adikabi Bhanu Bhakta Acharya. | No |
| Naag Panchami | Shrawan 13 29 July | 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 |
| Kheer Khaney din | Shrawan 15 31 July | Nationwide | It is typically observed during the month of shrawan when the rice harvest is complete, and families have an abundance of fresh grains. | No |
| Janai Purnima/Rakchya Bandhan | Shrawan 24, 9 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 |
| Gaijatra | Shrawan 25, 10 August | Kathmandu Valley | An occasion for families to honor deceased loved ones. | yes |
| Mataya | Shrawan 26, 11 August | Patan | An occasion for families to honor deceased loved ones. | No |
| Krishna Janmasthami | Shrawan 31, 16 august | Nationwide | Major festival marking the brith of lord Krishna | Yes |
Kushe Aunshi/ Buwa ko Mukh Herne Din (Father’s Day) | Bhadra 7 23 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. | Yes |
| Teej | Bhadra 10 26 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) |
| Rishi Panchami | Bhadra 12 28 August | 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 15, 31 August | Hindus of Far west | Gaura Parba is a significant festival, particularly in the Far Western region of Nepal, celebrating the marriage of Goddess Gauri (a manifestation of Parvati) and Lord Maheshwor (Shiva). | Yes |
| Indra Jatra | Bhadra 21 4 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) |
| Jitiya Parba (Jiwit Putrika) | Bhadra 30 15 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 |
| Bishwakarma Puja | Asojh 1 17 September | Nationwide | The birthday of Bishwakarma, This Divine Architect in Hindu Mythology. | No |
| Sorah Shraddha | Asojh 5 21 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 6 22 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 begining of Nauratha or Navaratri, when nine different forms of Goddess Durga is worshipped everyday. | Yes |
| Phulpati (Saptami) | Asojh 13 29 September | 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 14 30 September | Nationwide | Eighth day of Dashain. People worship tools and vehicles, sacrifice animals at home and at Goddess Durga temples. | Yes |
| Maha Navami | Asojh 15 1 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 16 2 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 | Asoj 20 6 October | Nationwide | Fifteenth/ concluding day of Dashain. A day to worship Goddess Laxmi (goddess of wealth) and make vigil all night. | No |
| Dhanteras | Kartik 1 18 October | Nationwide | To commemorate Tihar, the festival of lights, people on this day buy precious metals and worship it on the Laxmi puja day. | Yes |
| Kaag Tihar/ | Kartik 2 19 October | Nationwide | The first day of Tihar, the festival of lights. This day involves the worship of crows as they are the messenger of the death-god Yama, | yes |
Kukur tihar | Kartik 3 20 October | Nationwide | In Nepalese culture, it is believed that dogs are the guardians of the afterlife, and honoring them on this day ensures safe passage for departed souls. So this day is celebfated to honor their loyalty | Yes |
| Laxmi Puja/Gai Tihar | Kartik 4 21 October | Nationwide | It’s the main day of Tihar when cows are worshipped in the mornings to thank for the food essentials they provide. 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 |
| Gobardhan Puja | Kartik 5 22 October | Nationwide | People worship Ox for their contribution on 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. | Yes |
| Bhaitika | Kartik 6 23 October | Nationwide | Last day of Tihar. It is celebrated to strengthen the 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 | Kartik 10 27 October | Terai (Southern Nepal) | The biggest festival in Terai, Southern Nepal involving the worship of the Sun-god and his sister Chhati Mai. | Yes |
| Haribodhini Ekadashi | Kartik 15 1 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 19 5 November | Sikhs | Celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru. | Yes |
| Falgunanda Jayanti | Kartik 25 11 November | Kiratis | the birth anniversary of Guru Falgunanda | Yes |
Bala Chaturdashi/ Satbij Charne Din | Mangshir 3 19 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 9 25 November | Madhesh | To commemorate the divine nuptial of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita in Treta Yug. Janaki Temple in Janakpur comes alive with vibrant celebration for a whole week, | No |
Udhauli Parba Yomari Punhi | Mangsir 17 4 December | Nationwide | Kiranti clan celebrate Udhauli Parba to commemorate the setting in of the Winter. 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. | No |
| Tamu Loshar | Poush 15 30 December | Nationwide by Gurungs | A New Year celebration of Gurung Community. | No |
| Sri Swasthani Brata Katha Prarambh | Poush 19 3 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 |
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 Tharu community of Southern Nepal and also the Magars of Hills. | NO |
| Sonam Loshar | Magh 5 19 January | Tamang Community | A New year celebrated by Tamang Community. | No |
| Basanta Panchami/ Saraswati Puja | Magh 9 23 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 |
| Sahid Diwas | Magh 16 30 January | Nationwide | To pay homage to the 4 martyrs of the country | Yes |
| Sri Swasthani Brata Katha Samapti | Magh 18 1 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 |
| Maha Shiva Ratri | Falgun 3 15 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. | No |
| Gyalpo Loshar | Falgun 6 18 February | Sherpa Community | A New year celebrated by Sherpa Community. | No |
| Fagu Purnima/Holi | Falgun 18 2 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 | Chaitra 19 3 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(only to women) |
| Ghode Jatra | Chaitra 5 19 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) |
| Chaitra Dashain | Chaitra 12 26 March | Nationwide | aka Sano-Dashain or mini Dashain. Celebrated with equal enthusiasm as main Dashain that falls in Autumn. | No |
| Sri Ram Navami | Chaitra 13 27 March | Nationwide | Celebrated to commemorate the birth of Lord Ram. | Yes |
| Mahabir Jayanti | Chaitra 17, 31 March | | This day is dedicated to the Lord Mahavir, a Jain saint who is known amongst the most famous saints. | No |
