KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu Valley is set to transform into a vibrant hub of art, music, rituals, and cuisine this September as the Nepal Art & Culture Festival 2025 (NAC FEST) makes its grand debut.

Jointly organized by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), the Nepal Art Council, and five historic cities, the three-week festival will run from 5–27 September under the theme “Celebrating Nepal’s Art, Culture, Cuisine, and Heritage.”

“This festival is designed to highlight Nepal’s living heritage,” said Deepak Raj Joshi, CEO of NTB. “It will showcase the country as a cultural and heritage treasure for both Nepali and global audiences.”

Festival highlights across the valley

• Kathmandu (5 Sept): Opening with Kathmandu Mahanagar Jatra Yatra, an art exhibition Roots & Reflections at the Nepal Art Council Gallery, and cultural performances at Hanuman Dhoka.
• Bhaktapur (7 Sept): Heritage walks, pottery workshops, authentic Newa cuisine, and a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony.
• Kathmandu (8–10 Sept): Made in Kathmandu Fair featuring local products, food stalls, photography exhibitions, and the UNESCO Creative City of Film Challenge.
• Hadigaun (13 Sept): Cultural walk through its 2,000-year-old legacy, ending with traditional feasts.
• Kirtipur (18–20 Sept): Community processions, folk dances, and local culinary showcases.
• Thamel (21 Sept): Guided nightlife walk with complimentary drinks and snacks.
• Patan (23–27 Sept): Grand finale with Dhime Baja drumming, Lakhe dances, Paubha paintings, Kumari traditions, craft demonstrations, and a vibrant night market. The closing ceremony at Patan Museum will feature a cultural procession, performances, and a farewell dinner.

More than 40 events planned

According to festival coordinator Ayusha Shrestha, the event will feature over 40 programs across the Valley. She noted that NAC FEST 2025 coincides with Indra Jatra, adding further vibrancy to one of Nepal’s most celebrated cultural months.

By uniting two metropolitan cities, two municipalities, and multiple cultural organizations, NAC FEST aims to connect the past and present through living traditions while offering a new platform for cultural tourism in Nepal.