When is Dashain Holiday?
In 2026, Dashain Holiday falls on Saturday, October 17, 2026. It is classified here as a Nepalese public holiday.
History of Dashain Holiday
Dashain is Nepal’s longest and most widely observed festival season. It honours Durga’s victory over Mahishasura and is woven into family life through several days of worship, travel, food and blessing. Ghatasthapana opens the festival, while Vijaya Dashami is its emotional centre: younger relatives receive tika and jamara from elders, along with blessings for health, strength and prosperity.
The festival transforms the country’s rhythm. People travel from cities to ancestral homes, markets prepare for the holiday and public services operate on reduced schedules. Customs vary among communities, including how religious rites and feasting are practised, but the theme of reunion is widely shared. Dashain follows a complex lunisolar calendar; this calendar provides only a long-range guide, while the Ministry of Home Affairs’ annual list sets the holiday period.
Dashain Holiday must be read through Nepal’s annually gazetted Bikram Sambat calendar rather than through an unchanging Gregorian-date list. The opening day of Nepal’s seven-day official Dashain closure, running from October 17 through October 23 in 2026. The Ministry of Home Affairs notice determines the civil date, territorial reach and eligible group, while essential services can retain separate staffing. That distinction matters especially when a festival follows a lunar calculation or when leave is limited to a region, community or gender.
How Dashain Holiday is observed
The first day of a seven-day nationwide public-holiday period, October 17–23 in 2026, encompassing the main Dashain rites. Nepal’s Ministry of Home Affairs publishes the controlling annual calendar in Bikram Sambat; lunar dates and any special leave categories must be confirmed from that year’s notice. Travellers and employees should confirm the gazetted annual notice because local services and eligible groups can differ.
Traditions of Dashain Holiday
Tika and jamara
Elders place tika and jamara on younger relatives and offer blessings, often after long family journeys home. The form and emphasis can differ between Nepal’s regions, communities and individual households.
Family reunion
Homes fill with visiting relatives, shared meals and the return of family members from work or study elsewhere. The form and emphasis can differ between Nepal’s regions, communities and individual households.
Kites and swings
In many places, kites, bamboo swings and neighbourhood play are a beloved part of the season. The form and emphasis can differ between Nepal’s regions, communities and individual households.
Dates and observance rules are checked against the official Nepalese official and legal guidance. Lunar dates and annual government, provincial or employer schedules should be confirmed against official notices.
History sources: Nepal Ministry of Home Affairs: Government and Public Holidays in 2083, Pradhan & Associates: English legal summary of Nepal's 2083 holiday notice.
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