Top Nepali Festivals You’ll Experience as a Volunteer
12 Apr, 2025
Top Nepali Festivals You’ll Experience as a Volunteer
Volunteering in Nepal is a deeply rewarding journey that allows you to give back while immersing yourself in one of the world’s most vibrant cultures. One of the most enriching parts of this experience is witnessing the diverse festivals that define the cultural heartbeat of Nepal. Whether you're volunteering in the bustling Kathmandu Valley, the remote Tsum Valley, or the majestic Everest region, Nepal's festival calendar offers a unique glimpse into its spiritual traditions, ethnic diversity, and warm hospitality.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the top festivals in Nepal that volunteers are likely to experience, including major national celebrations and unique regional festivals in the Everest region and Tsum Valley.
1. Dashain: The Longest and Most Celebrated Festival in Nepal
When: September - October (15 days)
Where: Nationwide, especially in Kathmandu Valley and rural communities
Dashain is Nepal’s biggest and longest Hindu festival, celebrated over 15 days. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil and honors the goddess Durga. Families reunite, elders give blessings (Tika and Jamara), and community celebrations take place everywhere.
As a volunteer, you may be invited to celebrate Dashain with your host family, dress in traditional attire, and participate in rituals. Schools are closed during this time, offering you a deeper cultural experience.
Related Read: A Complete Guide to Volunteering in Nepal for First-Timers
2. Tihar (Festival of Lights)
When: October - November (5 days)
Where: Nationwide
Tihar, also known as Deepawali, is a five-day festival celebrating animals (crows, dogs, cows), siblings, and the goddess of wealth, Laxmi. Homes and streets glow with oil lamps and colorful rangoli.
You may witness or even join the Bhai Tika ceremony, where sisters bless their brothers. Local youth groups perform Deusi-Bhailo, a cultural singing event that volunteers often enjoy participating in.
Tip: Many volunteer projects in Kathmandu and Pokhara pause for a few days, allowing you to travel or spend time with your host family.
3. Holi: The Festival of Colors
When: March
Where: Primarily in the Terai and Kathmandu Valley
Holi is an energetic and colorful celebration marking the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. Expect to be doused with powdered colors and water balloons, music blaring through the streets, and plenty of laughter.
As a volunteer, Holi is a perfect chance to bond with locals, children, and fellow volunteers in an atmosphere of pure joy. It’s advised to wear clothes you don’t mind staining and carry a waterproof pouch for your electronics.
4. Losar: Tibetan New Year (Tsum Valley & Everest Region)
When: February (date varies by ethnic group)
Where: Tsum Valley, Everest Region (Khumbu), and Tibetan Buddhist areas
Losar is celebrated by the Sherpa, Tamang, and Tibetan communities and marks the Tibetan New Year. This is the most important festival in areas like the Tsum Valley and the Khumbu (Everest) region.
As a volunteer in these areas, you’ll experience:
Traditional dances in gompas (monasteries)
Offerings to deities
Butter lamps lighting ceremonies
Preparation of special foods like khapse and chang (barley beer)
Losar is a deeply spiritual celebration that gives you rare insight into Buddhist traditions, especially if you're volunteering in or near monasteries. There are actually different types of Losar celebrated by various Himalayan communities in Nepal:
Tamang Losar: Celebrated by the Tamang community, usually in February. It includes traditional dances, music, and feasts featuring sel roti and pork dishes.
Each version of Losar marks not only the start of a new year but also a time for purification, spiritual renewal, and community bonding.
Learn more about our Tsum Valley volunteer placements: Volunteers in Nepal - Tsum Valley
5. Mani Rimdu: Monastic Festival in the Everest Region
When: October - November (Full moon of the tenth Tibetan month)
Where: Tengboche Monastery, Everest Region
Mani Rimdu is a stunning monastic festival celebrated by the Sherpa people in the Everest Region. It is held at the Tengboche Monastery, the largest monastery in the Khumbu area.
The festival includes:
Masked dances performed by monks
Ritual offerings to deities
Blessings and communal feasting
As a volunteer trekking or teaching in this region, attending Mani Rimdu is a once-in-a-lifetime experience combining culture, religion, and natural beauty.
Consider combining trekking with volunteering: Trekking and Volunteering: A Meaningful Journey
6. Buddha Jayanti: Celebrating the Birth of Lord Buddha
When: April - May (Full moon day of Baisakh)
Where: Lumbini, Kathmandu, and Buddhist communities across Nepal
Buddha Jayanti celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Lord Buddha. Volunteers working in Buddhist areas like Tsum Valley or Everest region will witness beautiful rituals, processions, and peace gatherings.
Highlights include:
Prayers and chants in monasteries
Offerings and butter lamps
Pilgrimages to Buddhist sites (especially Lumbini and Swayambhunath)
7. Saka Dawa: Honoring the Enlightenment of the Buddha
When: May - June (Full moon of the fourth Tibetan lunar month)
Where: Everest Region, Tsum Valley, and Buddhist sites
Saka Dawa is another major Buddhist festival observed by Tibetan Buddhists. It honors Buddha’s enlightenment and is one of the holiest times for pilgrimage, donations, and prayer.
During this time, volunteers often participate in:
Cleaning community spaces and monasteries
Prayer flag offerings
Attending spiritual gatherings with monks
It’s a great opportunity to understand the altruistic values that drive the communities you're serving.
8. Indra Jatra: Celebrating the God of Rain
When: September
Where: Kathmandu Valley
Indra Jatra is an eight-day festival dedicated to Indra, the Hindu god of rain. It features sacred dances, masked performers, and the famous chariot procession of the living goddess, Kumari.
Volunteers based in Kathmandu will love this high-energy festival that takes over Durbar Square. You’ll see centuries-old traditions, meet locals in festival attire, and enjoy street performances.
Read more about volunteering in Kathmandu: Volunteers in Nepal - Kathmandu
9. Maghe Sankranti: Welcoming the Winter Solstice
When: January 14
Where: Throughout Nepal
Maghe Sankranti is celebrated with sesame-based sweets, family gatherings, and dips in sacred rivers. It marks the end of the winter solstice and is particularly significant among the Tharu and Magar communities.
Volunteers in southern Nepal or rural villages may join community celebrations and health awareness events often organized by local NGOs.
10. Janai Purnima and Gai Jatra
When: August
Where: Kathmandu Valley and Hilly Regions
Two colorful festivals often celebrated back-to-back:
Janai Purnima: Hindu males change their sacred thread in purification rituals.
Gai Jatra: A humorous procession honoring the dead, filled with satire, music, and costumes.
These festivals reveal Nepal’s unique mix of reverence and light-heartedness. As a volunteer in the valley during this time, you'll witness public theater and vibrant community life.
Final Thoughts: Festivals as a Cultural Gateway
Participating in or witnessing Nepali festivals as a volunteer gives you a deeper appreciation of the communities you’re supporting. These cultural experiences not only enrich your time abroad but also help you form meaningful relationships with locals.
Whether you're celebrating Losar in the high Himalayas, throwing colors during Holi, or watching ancient rituals during Indra Jatra, these festivals connect you to the soul of Nepal.
Planning to Volunteer in Nepal? Explore our programs in teaching, health, and cultural exchange at Volunteers in Nepal and start your journey today.
