Bikram Sambat is the official and the day to day calendar of Nepal while the Gregorian calendar is used for international events and holidays. Additionally, since 2023, Nepal Sambat dates are written alongside Bikram Sambat.
Weekends in Nepal are different for each sector. All schools and government offices are closed on Saturdays and Sundays whereas most private offices are only closed on Saturdays. All government holidays for the upcoming year are published in Nepal Gazette. Nepal celebrates a number of religious and non-religious holidays. On most of these holidays, most government offices and private institutions are closed, although is not mandatory for privately owned businesses to close and international organizations may operate their own calendar.
Some of these events are region-, religion-, or gender-specific. For example, the Teej holiday in Nepal is only a holiday for women.
The Government of Nepal has decided to grant a nationwide holiday for a total of 35 days in the year 2079 BS (1142 NS).
The longest consecutive public holiday in Nepal is during Vijaya Dashami. On this festival, holidays fall consecutively i.e. from Fulpati to Duwadashi for seven days. Ghatasthapana and Kojagrat Purnima holidays are part of this festival but are separate from the six-day holiday. These festival holidays do not fall on the same calendar date every year, as they are celebrated on the basis of lunar dates also known as tithi. Holidays such as Loktantra Diwas (Democracy Day) and Republic Day are celebrated on the same date annually.
General holidays The following is the list of holidays for the calendar year 2083 (2026/27 A.D.; 1146/1147 N.S.) in Nepal.
Day holiday DateName Remarks Date (B.S.) Date (A.D.) English NepaliBaishak 18 May 1 International Workers' Day मजदुर दिवस International Workers' DayJestha 15 May 29 Republic Day गणतन्त्र दिवस Republic Day in Nepal. Ashoj 3 September 19 Constitution Day संविधान दिवस Constitution Day in Nepal. Magh 16 January 30 Martyrs' Day शहिद दिवस Martyrs' Day in Nepal remembering the first four Martyrs of Nepal. Fagun 7 February 19 Democracy Day प्रजातन्त्र दिवस Democracy day of Nepal. Fagun 24 March 8 International Women's Day नारी दिवस International Women's Day is celebrated on this day in Nepal.
Festival holiday DateName Remarks Date (B.S.) Date (A.D.) English NepaliBaishak 1 April 14 Nepali New Year नयाँ बर्ष First day of Bikram Sambat calendar.Baishak 18 May 1 Buddha Jayanti बुद्द जयन्त्री Birth date of Lord Gautam Buddha. Eid al-Adha इद उल अजाहा "Sacrifice Feast", the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael. Bhadra 12 August 28 Raksha Bandhan रक्षा बन्धन/जनै पुर्णिमा Sacred thread festival, Janai Purnima marks the renewal of the sacred thread by Brahmins. Raksha Bandhan celebrates the holi bond between brothers and sisters. Bhadra 19 September 4 Krishna Janmashtami कृष्णा जन्माअष्टमी Celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna Ashwoj 25 September 22 Ghatasthapana घटस्थापना The beginning of Dashain. Ashoj 31 October 17 Fulpati फुलपाती Seventh day of Dashaini when jamara is brought from Gorkha palace to Kathmandu. Kartik 1 October 18 Maha Asthami महा अष्टमी The day to appease Goddess Durga's manifestations, the blood-thirsty Kali. Kartik 2 October 19 Dashain Holiday दशैं बिदा Additional HolidayKartik 3 October 20 Maha Navami महा नवमी Maha Navami is the last day of Navaratri. Kartik 4 October 21 Vijayadashami विजया दशमी This day is very important day for Nepalese Hindu religion, On Bijaya Dashami mixture of rice, yogurt and vermilion is prepared and is known as Tika. Elders put Tika, Jamara and Kokha on the young ones and give them blessing. Kartik 5 October 22 Yekadashi एकादशी Eleventh day of Dashain where the celebration continues. Kartik 6 October 23 Duwadashi दुवादशी The final official consecutive holiday of Dashain celebration. Kartik 22 November 8 Laxmi Puja लक्ष्मी पुजा In the morning cows are worshipped. Later, usually during the evenings, Laxmi, Goddess of wealth is worshipped. Kartik 23 November 9 Tihar Holiday तिहार बिदा Additional HolidayKartik 24 November 10 Mha Puja and Govardhan Puja Nepal Sambat new year. म्ह पुजा Mostly Mha Puja celebrates by Newari People. Kartik 25 November 11 Bhaitika भाइ टिका Sisters and brothers wish for each other's safety and well-being. Gifts are exchanged between them. Kartik 26 November 12 Tihar Holiday तिहार बिदा Additional Holiday Kartik 29 November 15 Chhath Parwa छठ पर्व A festival dedicated to Hindu Sun God. Push 9 December 24 Yomari Punhi and Jyapu Diwas याेमारी पुन्हीं A festival marking the end of the rice harvest. Push 10 December 25 Christmas Day क्रिसमस डे Birthday of Jesus Christ. Poush 15 December 30 Tamu Lhosar तमु ल्हाेसार New year celebrated by the Gurung Community.Push 27 January 11 Prithvi Jayantiपृथ्वी जयन्तीBirthday of Prithvi Narayan Shah. Magh 1January 15 Maghe Sankranti माघे संंक्रान्ती The first day of the month of Magh. Magh 24 February 7 Sonam Lhosar शाेनाम ल्हाेसार New Year celebration by the Tamang community. Fagun 22 March 6 Maha Shivaratri महा शिवरात्री Celebrated in reverence of Lord Shiva. Fagun 25 March 9 Gyalpo Lhosar ग्याल्पाे ल्हाेसार New Year of Tibetan Community. Chaitra 7 March 21 Fagu Purnima फागु पुर्णिमा Also known as Holi, the festival of colors. In Terai region of Nepal, this festival is celebrated on the next day. Chaitra 8 March 22 In Tarai Region Ram Nawamiराम नवमीBirth date of Lord Ram Eid al-Fitr इद उल फित्र End of the month of Ramadan (Festival of Fastbreaking).
Optional holidays DateName Remarks Date (B.S.) Date (A.D.) English Nepali Siruwa Parba सिरूवा पर्व Only in Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Siraha & Saptari districts. Bhoto Jatra भाेटाे देखाउने जात्रा Only a holiday in Kathmandu ValleyBhadra 13August 29 Gai Jatra गाइ जात्रा Holiday only for Newar Community all over Nepal & Bagmati Province Bhadra 19 September 4 Gaura Parwa गाैरा पर्व Only in Sudurpashchim Province.Bhadra 29 September 14 Teej तिज Only a holiday for women Ashoj 9September 25 Indra Jatra इन्द्र जात्रा Celebrated only in Kathmandu valley, so holiday in Kathmandu Valley only Ashoj 18 October 4 Jeetiya Parwa जितिया पर्व Only for Jeetiya Festival celebrating women. Mangshir 8November 24 Guru Nanak Jayanti गुरू नानक जयन्ती Holiday for only Sikh Community Falgunanda Jayanti फाल्गुणन्द जयन्ती Holiday for only Kirat CommunityMangshir 17 December 3 International Disabilities Day अन्तराष्ट्रिय अपांगता दिवस Holiday for only Disabled Person.Poush 15 December 30 Dura Maipu Nakuma Dura people Muhammad Jayanti माेहम्मद जयन्ती Holiday for only Muslim Community Magh 28 February 11 Saraswati Puja सरस्वती पुजा Educational institution only.Chaitra 23 April 5 Ghode Jatra घाेडे जात्रा Holiday Only in Kathmandu Valley
Observance holiday DateName Remarks Date (B.S.) Date (A.D.) English NepaliJestha 21 June 4 Untouchability Abolished Day Jestha 225 June World Environment Day विश्व वातावरण दिवस Ashar 2913 July Bhanu Jayanti भानु जयन्ती Shrawan 13 29 July International Tiger Day Bhadra 22 September 7 Civil Service Day Bhadra 23 September 8 Genz Martyrs Day Bhadra 29 14 September Children's Day बाल दिवस Mangshir 2511 December Mountain Day
See also List of festivals in Nepal
References
External links