Every autumn, Kathmandu comes alive. The Kathmandu festival season runs from late September to early November. For these weeks the valley moves to a different rhythm: drums in the old squares, kites over the rooftops, oil lamps in every doorway.
Three festivals shape the season, each telling its own story about who we are. Here is what they mean, when they happen, and how to be part of them.
Three back-to-back festivals shape the season, each telling a unique story about our culture. Indra Jatra, Kathmandu’s vibrant street festival, opens the season in late September. It honours Indra, the god of rain, giving thanks for the harvest. Masked Lakhey dancers fill Kathmandu Durbar Square, and the Kumari, Nepal’s Living Goddess, is pulled through the old city in her chariot. It is Newari culture at its most vivid and a highlight of any festival trip. Dashain, Nepal’s biggest festival, begins with Ghatasthapana on 11 October 2026. Lasting fifteen days, it celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over evil—a powerful reminder that good always wins. At its heart, Dashain is about family. On Vijaya Dashami, elders place red tika and jamara on younger relatives, offering their blessings. Families travel across Nepal to be together, kites fill the sky, and bamboo swings rise in every village. Tihar, the festival of lights, follows in early November. For five days, homes glow with oil lamps and marigold garlands. We honour crows, dogs, and cows for their special bond with us. On Laxmi Puja, we welcome the goddess of wealth, while Newar families celebrate Mha Puja, their New Year. The festival concludes with Bhai Tika, a blessing shared between brothers and sisters. These celebrations are more than just holidays. They bring families together, keep traditions alive across generations, and remind us to give thanks, respect our elders, and care for every living being. For travellers, there is no better time to experience Nepali culture up close.
If you are in Kathmandu this autumn, step out and join in. Watch the Kumari’s chariot pass through Durbar Square, accept a tika if an elder offers one, and light a diyo (lamp) on the night of Laxmi Puja.
Why the Kathmandu Festival Season Matters
These celebrations are more than holidays. They bring families together and keep traditions alive across generations. They remind us to give thanks, to respect our elders, and to care for every living being.
Celebrating the Season at Hotel Shambala
At Hotel Shambala, these festivals are part of everyday life, just as they are for families across the valley. Wherever you celebrate this year, we wish you a happy Dashain and a bright Tihar.
