Here are the key festival dates to look forward to in 2025 while staying in Patan.
Maghe Sankranti – January 14, 2025
This festival marks the end of winter and the beginning of longer days. It is celebrated with feasts and religious rituals. On this day, Newars prepare and eat special foods, particularly dishes made from clarified butter (ghya) and sesame seeds (til).Losar (Tibetan New Year) – Feb 28th till March 2, 2025
Celebrated by Tibetan and Sherpa communities, Losar is full of dance, rituals, and family gatherings. On that day, it is best to visit Boudhanath Stupa area, 6 km away from Patan.Holi (Festival of Colors) – March 14, 2025
A vibrant festival celebrating the arrival of spring with water and color play. If you don’t mind to get your clothes dirty, you will certainly enjoy the vibe very much, it is such a fun and beautiful day and a great time to let go of negativity and embrace the spirit of togetherness!Nepali New Year (Bisket Jatra) – April 13-17, 2025
Celebrated with grand processions in Bhaktapur, this marks the beginning of the Nepali calendar year. Bhaktapur come alive with massive chariot processions, tug-of-war contests, and ancient rituals, celebrating the start of a new year. It is very intense!Buddha Jayanti – May 12, 2025
The birth, enlightenment, and death anniversary of Lord Buddha, celebrated with rituals at Buddhist sites such as Lumbini and Boudhanath but also in the streets of Patan where the streets come alive with chants and processions.Rato Machindranath Jatra – May-June 2025
This is one of Nepal's oldest and grandest celebrations, held in Patan. It honnors the rain god, Machindranath, with v chariot processions through the city. Locals pull a massive, hand-built chariot, accompanied by music, dance, and rituals. This centuries-old festival marks the start of the monsoon season and brings the entire community together in celebration.
Ropain Festival, also known as Asar 15 - 29th of June, 2025
It is Nepal's lively rice-planting celebration, held during the monsoon. Farmers and locals come together to plant rice, enjoy traditional music, mud fights, and festive feasts, marking the start of the agricultural season with joy and unity. On that day, it is really worth to go and stroll around the farming villages of Bungamati and Kokana, a few km. south of Patan.
Gai Jatra- August 10th, 2025
The Festival of Cows, is a celebration honoring those who have passed away. Families parade through the streets with cows, music, and colorful costumes, turning grief into a lively tribute to life and remembrance.
Krishna Janmashtami - August 16th, 2025
It is a vibrant celebration of Lord Krishna’s birth, centered at the historic Krishna Mandir in Patan Durbar Square. Devotees gather for midnight prayers, sing devotional songs, and offer flowers and sweets, filling the square with music, dance, and spiritual energy. It's a joyful, cultural highlight in Patan's sacred calendar.
Teej – August 26, 2025
It is a colorful celebration where women dress in red, fast, sing, and dance in honor of marital bliss and the well-being of their families. They also go to worship Lord Shiva and Parvati at one of the temples. The streets around Patan Durbar Square come alive with joyful processions and temple rituals. The atmosphere is very uplifting on that day!Indra Jatra – September 2025 (Exact date to be confirmed)
Celebrated in Kathmandu, this festival honors Indra, the god of rain, with masked dances and chariot processions.Dashain – September 22nd to Oct 1st, 2025
The biggest and most important festival in Nepal, Dashain - celebrates the victory of good over evil. Families come together to worship, feast, and celebrate.Tihar (Festival of Lights) – October 18th till Oct 23th, 2025
This five-day festival is our favorite! It is dedicated to honoring animals like crows, dogs, and cows and it’s marked by lighting oil lamps, putting flower garlands on all doors and decorating homes with rangoli (colorful patterns). For the Newar people in Patan, Tihar is also the time to honor ancestral deities and Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. They also celebrate the unique Mha Puja, a ceremony of self-worship. Mha puja Ceremony at Cosy Nepal is not to be missed!Chhath – Oct 27, 2025
A major festival in the Terai region where devotees pray to the sun god, offering thanks for life and sustenance.Yomari Punhi – December/ Mangisr 2024
Yomari Punhi is a beloved Newar festival in Patan, celebrating the harvest with sweet, steamed dumplings called yomari. Families gather to make and share these treats, symbolizing prosperity. The festival also honors Annapurna, the goddess of grain, with rituals and feasting, marking the arrival of winter.
The big chariot of Ratho Machendranath being pulled in the streets of Patan.