What's coming up
Christmas Events & Parties in Kathmandu
Christmas isn't a big traditional festival in Nepal, but Kathmandu does it anyway — as a night out. Christmas Eve is the headline: hotel gala dinners along Durbarmarg, festive parties and live music across Thamel and Jhamsikhel, and carol services at the churches. It's the warm-up act to New Year's Eve a week later, and the two run as one long December season.
Every confirmed Christmas dinner and party below links to its venue and booking. See what else is on over New Year's Eve, browse the full festival calendar, or find festive live music.
Upcoming Christmas events in Kathmandu
No Christmas events confirmed yet — festive programming lands through December, so here's what else is coming up across Kathmandu. Check back closer to the 25th.
What Christmas looks like in Kathmandu
For most of the city Christmas is a normal working-into-holiday day, but the hospitality scene leans right in. The hotels put on their biggest festive dinners of the year — set menus, live bands, and a decorated room — while the bars and clubs run Christmas Eve parties that flow straight into the late-night crowd.
Jhamsikhel and Thamel are the two pockets to look at: Jhamsikhel for the sit-down festive dinners and cocktail evenings, Thamel for the louder party side. The city's churches — Assumption in Dhobighat and others — hold carol services and midnight mass that are open to all. And because Christmas rolls straight into New Year's week, a lot of venues bundle the two into a single festive-season programme.
Get pinged when festive events drop
Favourite Christmas in the Kata Jaam? app and get a notification the moment festive dinners and parties are announced.
Frequently asked questions
What Christmas events happen in Kathmandu?
Christmas in Kathmandu is an expat, hotel and nightlife occasion rather than a public holiday. The main things on are Christmas Eve dinners and gala menus at the Durbarmarg and Lazimpat hotels, festive parties and live-music nights across Thamel and Jhamsikhel, and carol services at the city's churches. Confirmed events show up below with venues and tickets.
Where can I have a Christmas dinner in Kathmandu?
The bigger hotels and a number of Jhamsikhel and Durbarmarg restaurants run Christmas Eve and Christmas Day set menus — roast dinners, festive buffets and live music. These book out, so reserve early. Any confirmed festive dinners appear on this page.
Is Christmas a public holiday in Nepal?
Yes — 25 December is a public holiday in Nepal, though it's not a widely celebrated festival outside the Christian community and the hospitality scene. Expect the festive programming to concentrate around Christmas Eve nightlife and hotel dinners rather than daytime events.
Explore more
Hosting a Christmas dinner or party?
List your festive event free and reach the crowd searching for Christmas in Kathmandu.
Free to list. No credit card required. How listing works