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 2026 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
14 - 16 May 2026

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
28 - 29 Aug 2026 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)
26 Sep 2026 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
17 - 20 October 2026   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
09 -11 November 2026 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

27 Feb to 1st March 2026 Punakha Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
03 & 19 March 2026 Chhorten Kora Ritual Circumstances of Stupa and Pooja
26 - 28 March 2026 Gomphu Kora Ritual Circumstances of Stupa and Pooja
26 - 28 March 2026 Gasa Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
29 March - 02 April 2026 Paro Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
28 April - 02 May 2026 Ura Yakchoe Village Festival of Spring Celebration
22 - 24 June 2026 Nimalung Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
24 June 2026 Kurjey Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
05 September 2026 Tour of the Dragon Mountain bike race, Bhumthang to Thimphu
17 September 2026 Thimphu Drubchen Pooja ritual
19 - 21 September 2026 Wangdue Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
21 - 23 September 2026 Tamshing Phala Chhoepa At Tamshing Monastery in Bumthang
21 - 23 September 2026 Thimphu Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
26 - 27 September 2026 Thangbi Mewang festival The festival is famous for its Mewang (Fire Blessing) ceremony
19 - 21 October 2026 Chhukha Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
11 November 2026 Black Necked Crane Festival Festival celebrating the animal symbol of the Phobjika Valley, the black-necked crane
17 - 19 November 2026 Mongar Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
18 - 20 November 2026 Trashigang Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
24 November 2026 Jambay Lhakhang Drup Pooja ritual of Jambey Lhakhang monastery in JAkar - Bhumthang
18 - 21 October 2026 Pemagatshel Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
13 December 2026 Druk Wangyel Tshechu Holy masked dance festival and revelation of Thangka - sacred painting
17 - 21 December 2026 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