List of 13 public holidays in Nepal for 2027, including Prithvi Jayanti, Martyrs' Day, Democracy Day and more.
Nepal is a vibrant tapestry of spiritual celebrations where every month offers a festival steeped in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. From the grand animal sacrifices and family reunions of Dashain to the dazzling lights of Tihar, holidays are the heartbeat of Nepali social and religious life.
Expect significant disruptions during major festivals like Dashain; government offices and banks close for several days, and public transportation becomes extremely crowded as people return to their ancestral villages. Travelers should book domestic flights and long-distance buses well in advance and expect many smaller shops to be closed.
Business activity effectively pauses during the peak of Dashain and Tihar. Avoid scheduling important meetings during October and November without checking the lunar calendar. It is standard practice to send festive greetings to local partners and provide a festival bonus to local employees, often referred to as the 13th-month salary.
Visit in October and November to experience the grandest festivals and clearest mountain views, though you must plan for crowds. To avoid major holiday closures while still enjoying good weather for trekking, late spring from March to May is the ideal window.
Common phrases include Dashain ko Shuvakamana for the Dashain festival, Shuva Deepawali for the festival of lights (Tihar), and the universal greeting Namaste which remains appropriate year-round.