Quick Answer
Dashain, Nepal's longest and most important festival, runs 15 days from October 11 to 25, 2026, with the main Tika day — when families gather to receive blessings from elders — falling on October 21. It follows the Bikram Sambat lunar calendar, so exact dates can shift by a day as the official calendar is finalized closer to the date.
When
Oct 11 – 25, 2026 (Tika: Oct 21)
Where
Nationwide; Kathmandu Valley is the most accessible base for visitors
Est. Daily Budget
$70–$130 (mid-range)
When to Book
Dashain coincides with Nepal's best autumn trekking weather (clear post-monsoon skies), which already makes October the country's peak season — Dashain itself adds a second, distinctly local layer of demand as Nepalis travel to their home villages for the holiday. Domestic flights and buses get heavily booked around the festival, and Kathmandu itself can feel unusually quiet mid-festival as residents leave for family homes, while smaller towns fill up.
Dashain is Nepal's longest and most significant festival — a 15-day Hindu celebration honoring the goddess Durga's victory over evil, and the single biggest annual event on the Nepali calendar. In 2026 it runs October 11 to 25, with the main Tika day, when families gather so elders can bless the younger generation with a mark of rice, yogurt and vermillion on the forehead, falling on October 21.
Dashain functions less like a public festival you attend and more like Nepal's version of a nationwide family holiday — closer in spirit to how many countries treat their biggest annual family gathering than to a ticketed event. Kathmandu itself can feel noticeably quieter during the festival's peak as residents travel to ancestral villages, while smaller towns across the country fill with returning family members, kite-flying, and swing-building (bamboo swings, a Dashain tradition, appear across the country in the run-up).
What Visitors Can Expect
Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, Kathmandu
One of the more publicly visible festival locations, with rituals and gatherings around the old royal palace complex in the days leading up to and including Tika. As with any active religious site, observe respectfully and follow any guidance from a local guide about which areas and moments are appropriate to photograph.
Kite-flying and bamboo swings
A genuinely visible, photogenic part of the festival — kites fill the sky over Kathmandu Valley in the days around Dashain, and temporary bamboo swings (ping) appear in neighborhoods and villages for children and families.
How Much Does a Trip Cost?
October is already Nepal's peak season for trekking and sightseeing, thanks to clear post-monsoon skies — Dashain adds a second, more local layer of demand on top of the general high season.
| Budget Tier | Daily Cost (USD) | Accommodation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $30 – $55 | Kathmandu/Pokhara guesthouse | Some businesses reduce hours during festival |
| Mid-Range | $70 – $130 | Mid-range hotel | Licensed guide for cultural context |
| Luxury | $180 – $400+ | Boutique hotel | Private guide/driver, Pokhara or trek extension |
When to Book
Booking Timeline
- Domestic flights and buses: book well ahead — this is peak travel season within Nepal as families head to home villages for the festival, on top of the already-busy October trekking season.
- Kathmandu/Pokhara accommodation: October rates reflect the year's high season regardless of Dashain; book early.
- Trekking permits and guides (if combining with Everest region or Annapurna trekking): October is the single most popular trekking month in Nepal — arrange well in advance.
Where to Stay
Kathmandu's Thamel district remains the most practical tourist base, with the widest range of accommodation and easy access to Durbar Square. Pokhara is a strong alternative if pairing the festival period with lower-altitude trekking or lake-district sightseeing — also benefiting from October's clear mountain visibility.
What Else to Do
Beyond the Festival
- Lower-altitude trekking (Poon Hill, Ghandruk) — genuinely excellent in October's clear, stable weather.
- Pokhara's lake district and mountain views of the Annapurna range.
- Chitwan National Park, for wildlife safaris in the dry-season conditions.
- Bhaktapur and Patan Durbar Squares, both within easy reach of Kathmandu and less central-Kathmandu-crowded during festival week.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the main day of Dashain 2026?
Vijaya Dashami, or Tika day, falls on October 21, 2026 — the day families gather for elders to bless younger family members. The full festival runs 15 days, from October 11 to 25.
Could the exact dates change?
Dashain follows Nepal's lunar Bikram Sambat calendar, so published dates can shift by a day as the official Nepali calendar is finalized closer to the festival — treat early-announced dates as reliable but not absolutely fixed to the day.
Is Kathmandu quiet or busy during Dashain?
Both, in different ways — many residents leave the city to visit family in their home villages, so Kathmandu itself can feel quieter than usual, even as domestic travel and smaller towns get busier.
Is October a good time to visit Nepal regardless of Dashain?
Yes — October is widely considered Nepal's best trekking month, with clear post-monsoon skies. Dashain adds a cultural layer on top of an already excellent time to visit.
Fact-Checking & Sources
Status: CONFIRMED · Last verified against the sources below on 2026-09-19. Event dates, venues, and pricing can change — always confirm critical details on the official event website before booking non-refundable travel.
- Authoritative SourceNepal Hiking Team — Dashain Festival 2026 Dates & Tika Time
- Secondary SourceSwotah Travel — Upcoming Festivals in Nepal 2026/2027
