
Kathmandu Local Events
For the Nepalese, religious festivals and cultural celebrations are intertwined with their daily lives and a part of their rich cultural heritage, and as such there is always an event in Kathmandu. Check here often for the latest news and Kathmandu events.
Most of the important Nepalese festivals are celebrated in Kathmandu and in the heart of the city at Durbar Square. Please note that many business houses and shops are closed a few days before and after festival time. During the festival of "Dasain" in October, most of the city tends to shut down.
Festival of Lights (known as "Tihar" or "Deepawali" or "Diwali") - This five day festival, which is celebrated each year in the last week of October or the beginning of November, takes place on the fifteenth day of "Kartika".
This festival celebrated by Hindus all over the world includes ritual cleaning of homes, burning of lanterns and candles and lighting of firecrackers. The celebrations during Diwali in Nepal are beautiful and involve comparatively less lighting of firecrackers than the celebrations in India.
Holi - This festival, celebrated in the month of March, includes smearing each other with coloured powder and throwing splashes of coloured water; this symbolises good luck but is also very messy!
Bikram New Year - This festival, celebrated in the month of April, is a day of pilgrimages. It often includes a pilgrimage from Kathmandu to the holy river of Bungmati, which separates the city from Patan.
Teej - This is the most important festival for women and is celebrated in the month of September. Married women dress up in their red marriage saris and visit other relatives. Women, both married and unmarried, stay up late at night to pray for their husbands or husbands-to-be in future.
Indra Jatra Harvest Festival - This festival is celebrated for eight days in the month of September at Kathmandu's Durbar Square. Goddess "Kumari" participates in a parade on her sacred chariot.
Events
Fagu Poornima (Holi)
28/02/2010
Ghode Jatra
15/03/2010
Place: Bhadrakali, Tundikhel
Ghode Jatra is a spectacular exhibit to mark the victory of good over evil and is believed to have been celebrated since medieval times. It is one of the events exclusively held in Kathmandu, in front of a huge crowd observing and cheering at the proceedings.
Mother's Day (Mata Tirtha Aunshi)
14/04/2010
Place: Mata Tirtha
Shree Krishna Janmashtami
02/09/2010
Place: Patan Durbar Square
Krishnastami is the celebration of the birthday of Lord Krishna, whose teachings comprise the holy book of Bhagwad Geeta.
Maha Shivaratri
12/02/2010
Place: Pashupatinath
Nag Panchami
14/08/2010
Place: Throughout Nepal
Teej
11/09/2010
Place: The temple of Pashupatinath
Teej is the festival of women. Dressed essentially in bright red, women flock to Pashupatinath - Lord Shiva's temple.

Diversity: A Musical Caravan
05/01/2010 - 20/01/2011
Place: Kathmandu and other locations
'Diversity - A Musical Caravan' is a series of concerts organised as a tribute to the rich diversity of musical instruments inspired by equally diverse culture of the people of Nepal. This concert group is set to tour five different locations of Nepal and if you happen to be in Kathmandu during the third week of February, you will be able to spend an enjoyable musical evening too. Learn more...

Meet Rajendra Prasad Sapkota and Outdoor Himalayan Treks, your local connection in Kathmandu. Starting as a young porter, Rajendra has all the local knowledge that will make your trip to Kathmandu life changing. With us, visitors experience remote villages, meet local people, and gain insight into our culture. We support local villages, and have even built a local orphanage to house and educate displaced, and often outcast, children. We hope to bring you a journey that will be enriching, but will also help those in need in Kathmandu.

