Nepal has more festivals than almost any other country. Masked monks dance in Himalayan monasteries. Cities fill with lights and flowers. Pilgrims walk to sacred lakes. If you time your trek well, you can see a living tradition on the same trip as the mountains.
But timing matters. Some festivals make transport and lodges busier. Some happen in the monsoon. And many dates move each year, because they follow the lunar calendar. This guide covers the main festivals, when they fall in 2027, which treks they fit, and how to plan around them.
Last updated: November 2026. Many festival dates for 2027 are calculated, and sources disagree on some. Confirm exact dates once Nepal publishes its official calendar, usually in January or February.
Quick Answer
- Best festival and trek combos: Mani Rimdu with Everest Base Camp, Tiji with Upper Mustang, Janai Purnima with Gosaikunda or Panch Pokhari, and Buddha Jayanti with Tsum Valley.
- Busiest period: Dashain and Tihar, in autumn. Transport and flights fill up, so book early.
- Quiet but rewarding: Losar and Holi in late winter and spring.
- Always check: Dates follow the lunar calendar and move yearly.
Nepal Festivals Calendar for 2027 (Calculated Dates)
| Festival | Approx. 2027 date | Where | Date confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonam Losar (Tamang New Year) | About February 7 | Boudhanath, Tamang areas | Calculated. Confirm. |
| Holi | March 21 (hills), March 22 (Terai) | Kathmandu, Pokhara | Government list |
| Gyalpo Losar (Sherpa and Tibetan New Year) | Early March (one list shows March 9) | Boudhanath, Sherpa areas | Sources differ |
| Buddha Jayanti | May 20 | Lumbini, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath | Government list. One source says May 12. |
| Tiji Festival | May 13–15 or June 1–3 | Lo Manthang, Upper Mustang | Sources differ. Confirm. |
| Janai Purnima | August 17 | Gosaikunda, Pashupatinath | Calculated |
| Dashain | About September 30 to October 10 | Nationwide | Calculated. Main day could move by 1 day. |
| Tihar | About October 27–31 | Nationwide | Calculated |
| Mani Rimdu | About November 14–16 | Tengboche, Everest region | One source. Confirm. |
Nepal uses a lunar calendar, so festival dates can shift by a day or more.
Nepal Festivals and the Treks They Fit
Mani Rimdu (October–November): Everest Region
What it is: A Sherpa Buddhist festival at Tengboche Monastery, with masked dances and religious ceremonies. It’s the biggest event of the year for the Sherpas of the Khumbu. Best trek: Everest Base Camp Trek – 15 Days Plan ahead: Autumn is peak season on the Everest trail, so book flights and lodges early. Tengboche is on the classic route, so you need to time your days to arrive during the festival.
Tiji Festival (May or June): Upper Mustang
What it is: A 3-day festival of masked dances in the walled city of Lo Manthang. It’s the most important event in Upper Mustang. Best trek: Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek – 18 Days Plan ahead: The 2027 date is unclear, with sources giving either mid-May or early June. Don’t book flights until you’ve confirmed it. Upper Mustang needs a restricted-area permit and a guide. See our permits guide and our Upper Mustang guide .
Buddha Jayanti (May): Tsum Valley and Lumbini
What it is: The Buddha’s birthday, marked with prayers, lanterns, and gatherings at Buddhist sites. Best trek: Tsum Valley Trek – 12 Days, where Buddhist life is part of every village. Plan ahead: It falls in spring trekking season, so weather is good. See our Tsum Valley culture guide.
Janai Purnima (August): Sacred Lakes
What it is: A Hindu festival where pilgrims walk to holy lakes. Many go to Gosaikunda in the Langtang region and Panch Pokhari in Sindhupalchok. Best treks: Panch Pokhari Trek and the Gosaikunda trek . Our Namun La Pass trek also passes Dudh Pokhari, a sacred lake that Gurung and Hindu pilgrims visit each August. Plan ahead: It falls in the monsoon, so expect rain, leeches, and landslides. The lakes are much quieter outside festival week.
Dashain (September–October): Nepal’s Biggest Festival
What it is: A 10-day national festival honoring the goddess Durga, with family gatherings, kite flying, and animal sacrifices in some communities. Plan ahead: Offices close, buses and flights fill up, and some guides, porters, and lodge staff go home to their families. Autumn is also peak trekking season, so book early and confirm staffing. It’s possible to trek during Dashain, but expect crowds and fewer services in some places.
Tihar (October–November): The Festival of Lights
What it is: A 5-day festival of lights, flowers, and animal worship, ending with Bhai Tika. Best trek: A short trek like Ghorepani Poon Hill lets you enjoy the festival in Kathmandu or Pokhara, then head to the mountains. Plan ahead: It overlaps with the peak autumn season, so book flights, hotels, and treks early.
Losar (February–March): The New Year
What it is: Tibetan, Sherpa, and Tamang communities celebrate several New Years, with feasts, prayers, and dances. The dates differ by community. Best places: Boudhanath in Kathmandu, plus Sherpa and Tamang areas. Our Langtang Valley Trek passes through Tamang culture. Plan ahead: It’s cold at altitude, and some lodges close, so choose lower treks.
Holi (March): The Festival of Colors
What it is: A joyful, messy festival of colored powder, celebrated in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Plan ahead: It marks the start of spring trekking season. You’ll want to be in a city for the party, then head out.
Yartung (August): Nar Phu Valley
What it is: A high-mountain festival held around the full moon of August in the Nar and Phu villages. Best trek: Nar Phu Valley Trek – 10 Days. Read our Nar Phu Valley culture guide. Plan ahead: It falls in monsoon, and the valley is a restricted area, so plan permits early.
Nepal Festivals Timing and Trekking Seasons
| Festival | Season | Trekking weather | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Losar | Late winter | Cold at altitude | Low in the mountains |
| Holi | Early spring | Improving | Moderate |
| Buddha Jayanti | Spring | Good | Moderate |
| Tiji | Late spring | Good, windy | Small, but book early |
| Janai Purnima | Monsoon | Wet | High at pilgrim lakes |
| Dashain | Autumn | Excellent | High on transport |
| Tihar | Autumn | Excellent | High in cities |
| Mani Rimdu | Autumn | Excellent | High on Everest trails |
For month-by-month guidance, see our guide to the best time to visit Nepal for adventure, or our best treks guide.
Tips for Planning Around Nepal Festivals
- Confirm dates close to your trip. Calculated dates can move by a day or more.
- Book flights, hotels, and permits early. Autumn festivals overlap with peak trekking season.
- Expect closures. Banks, offices, and some shops close on major holidays.
- Keep a spare day for transport delays.
- Respect local customs. Dress modestly, ask before taking photos, and walk clockwise around religious sites.
- Remember altitude. A festival is not a reason to skip rest days. See our altitude sickness guide.
FAQs
When is Dashain in 2027?
Dashain is expected to start about September 30, with the main day around October 9–10. Dates are calculated and can move by a day.
When is Tihar in 2027?
Expected about October 27–31. Confirm against the official calendar.
Can I trek during Dashain and Tihar?
Yes, but transport and flights fill up, and some guides and lodge staff go home. Book early and confirm services.
When is the Tiji Festival in 2027?
Sources differ, with dates given as May 13–15 and June 1–3. Confirm before booking.
When is Mani Rimdu in 2027?
One source gives about November 14–16. It’s held at Tengboche Monastery on the Everest route.
When is Buddha Jayanti in 2027?
About May 20, according to government holiday lists. One source gives May 12.
When is Holi in 2027?
March 21 in the hills (including Kathmandu and Pokhara) and March 22 in the Terai.
Which Nepal festivals is best to combine with a trek?
Mani Rimdu with Everest Base Camp, Tiji with Upper Mustang, and Buddha Jayanti with Tsum Valley are popular choices.
Is Janai Purnima a good time to visit Gosaikunda?
It’s the main pilgrimage, but it falls in monsoon and is crowded. The lakes are quieter at other times.
Why do festival dates change every year?
Most follow the lunar calendar, so they shift against the standard calendar.
Are festivals open to tourists?
Most are. Be respectful, dress modestly, and follow your guide’s advice.
Will my trek be more expensive during a festival?
Flights and hotels can cost more in busy weeks, especially in autumn. Book early.
Ready to plan your trek around a festival? Browse Snowbank Adventure treks, and tell us the festival you’d like to see. For official information, see the Nepal Tourism Board .