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Chariot procession at Indra Jatra, Kathmandu Durbar Square
collectionKathmandu

Kathmandu Valley Festival Calendar

Summary

Twelve festivals that own the valley's streets, in calendar order — chariots, lamps, colors, and processions, with confirmed dates for the coming year.

festivalsculture

The stops

12 places

  1. Stop 01
    Gai Jatra procession through Kathmandu streets
    Gai Jatra

    KathmanduFestival

    “Aug 29, 2026 — cows, costumes, and satire through the old city.”

  2. Stop 02
    Chariot procession at Indra Jatra, Kathmandu Durbar Square
    Indra Jatra (Yenya)

    KathmanduFestival

    “Sep 25 – Oct 2, 2026 — the Kumari's chariot and Lakhey dancers at Basantapur.”

  3. Stop 03
    Elders applying Dashain tika on a family member's forehead
    Dashain

    KathmanduFestival

    “Oct 11–21, 2026 — tika, jamara, and bamboo swings nationwide.”

  4. Stop 04
    Oil lamps lit during Tihar festival celebrations
    Tihar (Deepawali)

    KathmanduFestival

    “Nov 8–11, 2026 — lamps, garlanded dogs, and Deusi-Bhailo carols.”

  5. Stop 05
    Yomari offerings prepared for Yomari Punhi
    Yomari Punhi

    KathmanduFestival

    “Dec 23, 2026 — the full moon of sweet yomari dumplings.”

  6. Stop 06
    Boudhanath Stupa decorated for Losar
    Losar at Boudhanath

    KathmanduFestival

    “~Feb 6–8, 2027 (lunar) — Tibetan New Year at Boudha.”

  8. Stop 08
    Crowds celebrating Holi with colors in Kathmandu
    Holi (Fagu Purnima)

    KathmanduFestival

    “Mar 22, 2027 — color war at Basantapur.”

  9. Stop 09
    Nepal Army cavalry parade at Ghode Jatra, Tundikhel
    Ghode Jatra

    KathmanduFestival

    “Apr 6, 2027 — cavalry races at Tundikhel.”

  10. Stop 10
    Bisket Jatra celebrations at Nyatapola Temple, Bhaktapur
    Bisket Jatra

    BhaktapurFestival

    “Apr 11–17, 2027 — Bhaktapur's New Year chariot tug-of-war.”

  11. Stop 11
    Buddha Jayanti celebrations in Nepal
    Buddha Jayanti

    KathmanduPilgrimage

    “May 20, 2027 — full-moon celebrations at Swayambhu and Boudha.”

  12. Stop 12
    The towering Rato Machhindranath chariot during its jatra
    Rato Machhindranath Jatra

    LalitpurFestival

    “Spring (dates set by astrologers) — Patan's towering rain-god chariot.”