Nepal: public holidays 2026

Prithvi Jayanti marks the birth anniversary and historical legacy of Prithvi Narayan Shah in Nepal. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Maghe Sankranti marks the first day of Magh and the seasonal transition toward Uttarayana. It is also associated with the Tharu Maghi tradition, and Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Sonam Lhosar is a New Year festival associated with Nepal’s Tamang community and is listed in Nepal’s public-holiday calendar.

Martyrs’ Day remembers Nepal’s martyrs. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival honoring Shiva. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Gyalpo Lhosar is a Tibetan New Year observance associated with Tibetan Buddhist communities in Nepal. It appears in Nepal’s public-holiday calendar, but is not a religious obligation for everyone.

National Democracy Day commemorates Nepal’s democratic history. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Phagu Purnima is the Hindu spring festival commonly known as Holi, associated with colours and renewal. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Phagu Purnima is the Hindu spring festival commonly known as Holi, associated with colours and renewal. This holiday applies to the Terai and should not be treated as a nationwide holiday in Nepal.

International Women’s Day recognizes women’s achievements and equality. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Eid al-Fitr is the Muslim festival marking the end of Ramadan and appears in Nepal’s public-holiday calendar. Its displayed Gregorian date is estimated because the observance follows the lunar calendar.

Ram Navami is a Hindu festival commemorating the birth of Rama. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Nepali New Year marks the first day of the Bikram Sambat calendar year, traditionally Baisakh 1. Nepal’s official public-holiday notices list it as a public holiday.

International Workers’ Day recognizes workers and labour. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Buddha Jayanti commemorates the Buddha and, in Nepal, is especially associated with Lumbini, recognized by UNESCO as the Buddha’s birthplace. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Eid al-Adha is the Muslim Feast of Sacrifice and appears in Nepal’s public-holiday calendar. Its displayed Gregorian date is estimated because the observance follows the lunar calendar.

Republic Day commemorates Nepal’s republican state. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Janai Purnima is a full-moon observance associated in Nepal with renewing sacred threads, protective threads and ritual bathing. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Krishna Janmashtami is a Hindu festival commemorating Krishna’s birth, traditionally observed with midnight worship. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Constitution Day commemorates Nepal’s constitution. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Ghatasthapana opens Dashain and begins its ritual observance associated with Durga. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Phulpati is a Dashain phase associated with the ceremonial presentation of flowers and leaves. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Maha Ashtami is the eighth day of Dashain, Nepal’s major Hindu festival, traditionally associated with worship and offerings to Durga. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists this full-day Dashain observance.

Maha Navami is the ninth day of Dashain, Nepal’s major Hindu festival, traditionally associated with worship and offerings to Durga. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists this full-day Dashain observance.

Vijaya Dashami is the culminating tenth day of Dashain, associated in Nepal with receiving blessings and tika from elders. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Ekadashi is a named Dashain observance listed after Vijaya Dashami in Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar. The calendar lists it as a full-day public holiday.

Dwadashi is a named Dashain observance listed after Vijaya Dashami in Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar. The calendar lists it as a full-day public holiday.

Lakshmi Puja is the Tihar observance of worshipping Lakshmi with lamps and lights. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Gai Tihar is a Tihar day honoring cows within Nepal’s festival of lights. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Govardhan Puja is the fourth-day Tihar observance associated in Nepal with honoring cows and draft animals (Goru Tihar). Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Mha Puja is a Newar observance of self- and soul-purification on Tihar’s fourth day, also associated with Nepal Sambat. It is listed in Nepal’s public-holiday calendar.

Bhai Tika is the final day of Tihar, Nepal’s festival of lights. In some communities, it is associated with sisters applying tika and exchanging blessings with brothers. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Chhath is a Hindu festival honoring the Sun, traditionally involving offerings at rivers or other water bodies. It is especially associated with Nepal’s Terai, and the annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus in Christian tradition. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Tamu Lhosar is the Gurung/Tamu New Year, associated with 15 Poush, Tamu Sambat and community celebrations. It is listed in Nepal’s public-holiday calendar.

Prithvi Jayanti marks the birth anniversary and historical legacy of Prithvi Narayan Shah in Nepal. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Maghe Sankranti marks the first day of Magh and the seasonal transition toward Uttarayana. It is also associated with the Tharu Maghi tradition, and Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Martyrs’ Day remembers Nepal’s martyrs. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Sonam Lhosar is a New Year festival associated with Nepal’s Tamang community and is listed in Nepal’s public-holiday calendar.

National Democracy Day commemorates Nepal’s democratic history. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival honoring Shiva. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Gyalpo Lhosar is a Tibetan New Year observance associated with Tibetan Buddhist communities in Nepal. It appears in Nepal’s public-holiday calendar, but is not a religious obligation for everyone.

International Women’s Day recognizes women’s achievements and equality. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Phagu Purnima is the Hindu spring festival commonly known as Holi, associated with colours and renewal. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Phagu Purnima is the Hindu spring festival commonly known as Holi, associated with colours and renewal. This holiday applies to the Terai and should not be treated as a nationwide holiday in Nepal.

Eid al-Fitr is the Muslim festival marking the end of Ramadan. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday; its date follows the lunar calendar.

Ram Navami is a Hindu festival commemorating the birth of Rama. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Nepali New Year marks the first day of the Bikram Sambat calendar year, traditionally Baisakh 1. Nepal’s official public-holiday notices list it as a public holiday.

International Workers’ Day recognizes workers and labour. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Buddha Jayanti commemorates the Buddha and, in Nepal, is especially associated with Lumbini, recognized by UNESCO as the Buddha’s birthplace. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Republic Day commemorates Nepal’s republican state. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Eid al-Adha is the Muslim Feast of Sacrifice. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday; its date follows the lunar calendar.

Janai Purnima is a full-moon observance associated in Nepal with renewing sacred threads, protective threads and ritual bathing. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Krishna Janmashtami is a Hindu festival commemorating Krishna’s birth, traditionally observed with midnight worship. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Constitution Day commemorates Nepal’s constitution. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Ghatasthapana opens Dashain and begins its ritual observance associated with Durga. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Phulpati is a Dashain phase associated with the ceremonial presentation of flowers and leaves. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Maha Ashtami is the eighth day of Dashain, Nepal’s major Hindu festival, traditionally associated with worship and offerings to Durga. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists this full-day Dashain observance.

Maha Navami is the ninth day of Dashain, Nepal’s major Hindu festival, traditionally associated with worship and offerings to Durga. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists this full-day Dashain observance.

Vijaya Dashami is the culminating tenth day of Dashain, associated in Nepal with receiving blessings and tika from elders. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Ekadashi is a named Dashain observance listed after Vijaya Dashami in Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar. The calendar lists it as a full-day public holiday.

Dwadashi is a named Dashain observance listed after Vijaya Dashami in Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar. The calendar lists it as a full-day public holiday.

Lakshmi Puja is the Tihar observance of worshipping Lakshmi with lamps and lights. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Gai Tihar is a Tihar day honoring cows within Nepal’s festival of lights. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Govardhan Puja is the fourth-day Tihar observance associated in Nepal with honoring cows and draft animals (Goru Tihar). Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Mha Puja is a Newar observance of self- and soul-purification on Tihar’s fourth day, also associated with Nepal Sambat. It is listed in Nepal’s public-holiday calendar.

Bhai Tika is the final day of Tihar, Nepal’s festival of lights. In some communities, it is associated with sisters applying tika and exchanging blessings with brothers. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Tihar is Nepal’s five-day festival of lights. This date is listed for Tihar itself and remains distinct from the separately named holidays Gai Tihar, Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja, Mha Puja and Bhai Tika.

Chhath is a Hindu festival honoring the Sun, traditionally involving offerings at rivers or other water bodies. It is especially associated with Nepal’s Terai, and the annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus in Christian tradition. Nepal’s annual public-holiday calendar lists it as a public holiday.

Tamu Lhosar is the Gurung/Tamu New Year, associated with 15 Poush, Tamu Sambat and community celebrations. It is listed in Nepal’s public-holiday calendar.