The Kathmandu Valley is preparing to turn itself into a stage of colour and tradition as Nepal launches its Art and Culture Festival 2025, a month-long celebration designed to place heritage at the heart of international tourism. Running from 5 to 27 September, the event will span Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, and Kirtipur, each city offering a distinct expression of Nepalese culture set against the backdrop of the historic Indra Jatra period.
Opening in Kathmandu with a grand procession and an art exhibition at Hanuman Dhoka, the festival will draw visitors into the rhythm of Newa feasts, live performances, and temple rituals. Bhaktapur will follow with heritage walks, pottery workshops, and luminous evening ceremonies, while Lalitpur prepares a finale blending Dhime Baja drumming, Lakhe masked dances, Paubha painting, and Kumari traditions, culminating in a farewell dinner at the Patan Museum.
Alongside these spectacles, curated experiences such as the “Made in Kathmandu” fair, guided tours of Hadigaun’s ancient lanes, and explorations of Kirtipur’s music and dance weave together a narrative of living heritage. The programme is designed not simply to showcase culture but to immerse travellers in the everyday artistry of Nepalese life, where craft, cuisine, and performance intersect.
For Nepal’s tourism sector, the festival represents more than entertainment: it is a deliberate step to reposition cultural experiences as a premium draw in global travel markets. By extending heritage into a contemporary, participatory format, the event appeals to international visitors seeking authenticity while reaffirming Nepal’s identity as a destination where tradition and modernity coexist.
