This September, the Kathmandu Valley will transform into a living museum of art, music, rituals, and cuisine as the Nepal Art & Culture Festival 2025 (NAC FEST) makes its debut.
Organised by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) in collaboration with the Nepal Art Council and five historic cities, the three-week celebration will run from 5–27 September under the theme “Celebrating Nepal’s Art, Culture, Cuisine, and Heritage.”
The festival brings together two metropolitan cities and two municipalities along with tourism associations and cultural organisations. Organisers say the goal is to bridge past and present through living traditions while creating a new platform for cultural tourism.
“This festival is designed to bring living heritage into focus,” said NTB CEO Deepak Raj Joshi. “It will present Nepal as a treasure house of culture and heritage to both domestic and international audiences.”
A Valley-Wide Celebration
The curtain rises in Kathmandu on 5 September with the Kathmandu Mahanagar Jatra Yatra, and the art exhibition titled Roots & Reflections at the Nepal Art Council Gallery, and cultural performances at Hanuman Dhoka.
In Bhaktapur on 7 September, visitors can join guided heritage walks, explore pottery workshops, savour Newa delicacies, and witness a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony.
Kathmandu will then host the “Made in Kathmandu” Fair (8–10 September), showcasing local products, a food festival, photography exhibitions, and the UNESCO Creative City of Film Challenge.
Hadigaun takes the spotlight on 13 September, with a cultural walk highlighting its 2,000-year-old history, followed by traditional feasts.
Kirtipur, from 18–20 September, will celebrate with authentic cuisine, folk dances, and a community-led cultural procession.
On 21 September, Thamel opens its lanes to a guided walk through the city’s vibrant nightlife, offering complimentary drinks and local snacks.
The grand finale unfolds in Patan from 23–27 September. Highlights include drumming Dhime Baja, singing Bhajan, Lakhe dances, Paubha painting exhibitions, craft demonstrations, Kumari traditions, and a night market featuring sweets, wines, and festive dishes. The closing ceremony at Patan Museum will feature a cultural procession, performances, and a farewell dinner.
“Experimental Tourism”
The festival’s Steering Committee Chair and Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) President Binayak Shah believes NAC FEST will go beyond entertainment. “This initiative connects festivals with tourism,” he said. “It will contribute to experimental tourism and make Nepal a lifetime experience for visitors.”
More than 40 events are planned, according to festival coordinator Ayusha Shrestha, who noted that NAC FEST coincides with Indra Jatra, amplifying the Valley’s festive spirit.
For Nepal Art Council Chairman Sagar SJB Rana, the event is also about inspiration: “These programmes are designed to attract not just tourists but also Nepalis to rediscover the richness of our culture.”
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