Nepali New Year falls on a different day as followed by Bikram Sambat or Bikram Era. It falls in the second week of April and a public holiday is announced for this day. One of the popular Nepali festivals that is free from any kind of culture or religion, Nepali New Year is a day when people celebrate with families and friends, enjoy the feast, go on picnics or outing, and socialize on various events. Several programs like concerts, pool parties, fairs, etc. take place in major cities where people gather to celebrate together.

A day before New Year day, people gather together in events or homes with families and wait until midnight to wish each other a special Nepali greeting – Nava Varsha ko Subhakamana which translates as Happy New Year. Other several festivals fall along with the New Year day like Bisket Jatra, Sindoor Jatra, and Bode Jatra which are all associated with Nepalese traditions and ancient festivals which welcome the new year with more excitement and energy.

Nepalese calendar follows the Bikram Era which is 56.7 years ahead of the solar Gregorian calendar. Bikram Sambat follows lunar months which begin from Baisakh, i.e. in mid of April and ends on Chatra, by mid of March.

The day is more special for youths who are always ready for a party. Several hotels, bars, clubs, restaurants, pubs, etc. are well decorated and provide several offers with singing bands to welcome guests on the special event of New Year's Eve and New Year day.

People, who want to quit a bad habit, or start a new business, or try out a different thing, prefer it to do from New Year's Day. Schools take admissions from the same month and everything starts from beginning from the New Year day. The festival is extremely delightful in popular touristic areas like the Thamel area in Kathmandu and Lakeside area in Pokhara along with different other places in Nepal.

If you are in Nepal on the New Year eve or the same week, try out some interesting cities and places as mentioned below. It will make your trip more memorable and grander.

Pokhara

Pokhara is the most beautiful city in Nepal that is a paradise for a free soul traveler. If you want to make your Nepali New Year day, the best one, do not miss the Lakeside area of Pokhara which is full of bright lights, decorations, and offers. Although the Lakeside area is always alluring and full of beauty, on this special eve, you will see the variations of the lights as you feel welcomed in different events. 

The clubs, pubs, and restaurants are full of positive vibes, music, and smiles. The places are crowded with youths and adults who are more of a partygoing type. Everyone enjoys their food, dance, and music, and wait until it is midnight. The fireworks begin to welcome New Year at midnight and the city finally sleeps afterward. You can hit in any pub or restaurant like Busy Bee, Moondance, The Irish Pub, Rolling Stones, etc. 

Street Carnival in Thamel

If you are in or around Kathmandu Valley on the New Year Eve of Nepali New Year, then you should not miss the street carnival in Thamel. The place is full of bars and clubs and is a perfect destination for evening events. It is the place where tourists gather in Kathmandu as the streets and restaurants and pubs are more welcoming. On the eve, the streets are decorated with full of lights and colors, and there are several stalls that sell delicious food and souvenirs to take back. Every restaurant or pub is welcoming and provides offers in foods and drinks. The place is full of music and dance. At midnight, fireworks are lit and everyone screams Happy New Year.