Festival guide
Dashain 2026 in Kathmandu: Events & Things to Do
Dashain 2026Wednesday, 21 October 2026
Dashain is Nepal's biggest festival — fifteen days honouring the goddess Durga, capped by the tika and jamara on Vijaya Dashami when families gather across generations. Kathmandu empties as people head home; kites fill the sky and ping (bamboo swings) go up in the courtyards.
Browse the full Nepal festival calendar, or see everything on across Kathmandu this week.
Dashain events in Kathmandu
No Dashain events confirmed yet — here's what else is coming up across Kathmandu. Check back closer to October as organisers add their programmes.
About Dashain in Kathmandu
Dashain is Nepal's biggest festival — fifteen days honouring the goddess Durga, capped by the tika and jamara on Vijaya Dashami when families gather across generations. Kathmandu empties as people head home; kites fill the sky and ping (bamboo swings) go up in the courtyards.
Dashain peaks in October, and in 2026 the main day falls on Wednesday, 21 October 2026. Because it moves with the calendar each year, the surrounding events — dinners, concerts, cultural nights and parties — tend to appear in the weeks just before. If the grid above is quiet, it simply means we're out of season: bookmark this page and check back as October nears.
Get pinged for Dashain events
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Frequently asked questions
When is Dashain in 2026?
The main day — Vijaya Dashami, when elders give tika and jamara — falls on 21 October 2026. Dashain is a lunar festival spanning fifteen days from Ghatasthapana, so exact dates move each year.
What is Kathmandu like during Dashain?
The city quietens as people travel to their family homes, but the days before are Kathmandu's busiest — markets, animal sacrifices at temples, kite-flying, ping swings, and family gatherings. Many businesses close for the tika days.
Are there events and things to do during Dashain?
The tika days are family-focused, but the week before and after brings Dashain-special dinners, concerts and gatherings across Kathmandu. Confirmed events appear on this page as organisers list them.
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