Festivals and dates
Festivals dates of Nepal - Tibet & Bhutan
Below is the calendar of Festivals to be held in Nepal, India, Bhutan, and Tibet.
Nepal
15 Jan 2026 | Maghi | The New Year of the Tharu and Magar ethnic groups is mainly celebrated in the Teraï |
18 Feb 2026 | Tibetan New Year | Tibetan New Year / Sherpa Losar |
15 Feb 2026 | Shiva Ratri | Night of the lord Shiva, when the god is celebrated by libations, dances and use of narcotics in the interesting temple of Pashupatinath |
2 Mar 2026 | Holi | Celebration of colours, Holika Demon Holocaust celebration giving rise to battles of water and colours in Kathmandu (March 6) in the Teraï (March 7) and in all of India |
14 Apr 2025 | Bisket Jatra | Newar tantric festival of Bhaktapur and Thimi coinciding (coincidentally) with the Nepalese New Year commemorating the great battle and victory of the good over the evil of Mahabarath with a parade of wagons effigies of Bhairav and Bhadra and struggles taking place around a great tower ceremonial |
24 - 26 May 2025 |
Teeji | Sacred Dance Festival and Revelation of Tanka Celebrating the Arrival of Spring in Lo Manthang Capital of Mustang |
2025 | Seto & Rato machendranath | Giant chariot parade carrying the statue of the god Machendranath, Seto - white in Kathmandu, Rato - red in Patan, and Bungamati (syncretism of Indra god of the Hindu rain and Avalokiteswar Bodisatva of compassion for Hindus) taking place at the end of April beginning of May so to summon rain for an early monsoon |
09 - 10 Aug 2025 | Janai Purnima (Rakcha Bandhan) Gai Jatra |
Festival where Bhramin and Chettri castes (born twice) change the sacred cord they wear and moments of festivities and pilgrimages to the holy lakes including Gosaikunda (Langtang), the gathering of animist shamans give rise to dances, trances, and festivities and the Gai Jatra Festival (Sacred Cow Parade in Memory of the Dead) |
06 Sep 2025 | Indra Jatra | Parade of chariot in tribute to Indra god of the rain and king of the gods, where appears the Kumari living protective goddess of Kathmandu |
29 Sep - 09 Oct 2025 | Dashain | A 12-day festival symbolizing the victory of Ram (Vishnu's avatar) on the Ravan demon and where the elders bless their cadets, a real national holiday of Nepal |
20 - 23 Oct 2025 | Tihar | Festival of lights, Diwali in India culminating with Pooja in Laxmi, goddess of prosperity and the blessing of the brothers by their sisters |
The full moon of the 6* Tibetan month | Festival of Dho / Tarap | Great religious festival at the monastery of Riwo Bumpa - Dho Tarap. |
Bhutan
19 - 23 Feb 2025 | Punakha Tshechu | Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting |
14 - 29 Mar 2025 | Chhorten Kora | Ritual Circumstances of Stupa and Pooja |
5 - 7 Apr 2025 | Gomphu Kora | Ritual Circumstances of Stupa and Pooja |
5 - 7 Apr 2025 | Gasa Tshechu | Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting |
8 -12 Apr 2025 | Paro Tshechu | Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting |
09 - 13 May 2025 | Ura Yakchoe | Village Festival of Spring Celebration |
03 - 05 July 2025 | Nimalung Tshechu | Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting |
05 July 2025 | Kurjey Tshechu | Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting |
06 Sep 2025 | Dragon Tour | Bike race |
28 Sep 2025 | Thimphu Drubchen | Pooja ritual |
20 Sep / 1 & 2 Oct 2025 | Wangdue Tshechu | Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting |
02 - 04 Oct 2025 | Tamshing Phala Chhoepa | Bike race |
02 - 04 Oct 2025 | Thimphu Tshechu | Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting |
7 - 8 Oct 2025 | Thangbi Mani | Pooja ritual |
29 - 31 Oct 2025 | Chhukha Tshechu | Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting |
11 Nov 2025 | Black Necked Crane Festival | Festival celebrating the animal symbol of the Phobjika Valley, the black-necked crane |
28 - 30 Nov 2025 | Mongar Tshechu | Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting |
29 - 30 Nov 2025 | Trashigang Tshechu | Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting |
05 - 08 Nov 2025 | Jambay Lhakhang Drup | Pooja ritual of Jambey Lhakhang monastery in JAkar - Bhumthang |
29 - 31 Oct 2025 | Pemagatshel Tshechu | Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting |
13 Dec 2025 | Druk Wangyel Tshechu | Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting |
27 - 31 Dec 2025 | TrongsaTshechu & Lhuentse Tshechu | Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting |
Tibet
11 June 2025 | Mount Kailash Dharpoche | Saka Dawa Festival, celebrating Guru Rinpoche - Padma Sambhava |
20 - 22 July 2025 | Gyantse Dhamak | Yogurt Festival giving rise to festivities including horse races |
06 Aug 2025 | Labrang Festival | Sacred Dance Festival celebrating Guru Rinpoche with giant Thangka revelation, archery and horse racing |
28 Feb 2025 | Tibetan New Year (Losar) | Celebration in the families for the new year, various rituals and festivities the following days in monasteries in Tibet |