Christmas in Nepal – Celebration 2024/2025

Festival is the most important and exciting part of our lives. All religion have their own way of celebrating the festival. Likewise, Hindus celebrate Dashain and Tihar as their main festival, Muslims celebrate eid as their main festival and Christians celebrate it as their main festival. Being a secular state all these small and big festivals are celebrated in Nepal with the same excitement and energy. As the majority of the country’s population are Hindus but there has not been any dispute on the name of religion in Nepal. We all respect and celebrate each other’s festivals and also Christmas in Nepal. Nepal was declared a secular state in 2007.

And since then Christmas has been celebrated as one of the national festivals in Nepal. Since then all over Nepal Christmas is celebrated by decorating Christmas trees colorfully and giving gifts. All the shops and malls in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Pokhara are decorated with trees, lights, and artificial snowmen. The government also organizes different social programs on the occasion of this festival. There are also many churches in different places all over the country, which people visit during Christmas.

Christmas in Nepal is celebrated in Nepali ways. People celebrated by visiting the church, giving feasts, and exchanging gifts. For a few years, people have also been feeding homeless people on the occasion of Christmas. In Nepal Christmas falls on December 25th. Every year people attend music shows, concerts, and Christmas programs Christmas. Attending and hosting parties are also done during this festival.

How is Christmas celebrated in Nepal?

Christmas is a festival of light and snow. Christmas is celebrated all over Nepal with lots of excitement and energy. Although the number of people who follow this religion is slightly lesser than the people following other religions. Christmas is also considered a national festival in Nepal. Shopping for Christmas begins at the start of December. Thamel is a place that you must visit during Christmas. During the festival of Christmas, the entire Thamel bazaar is decorated with lights and Christmas trees everywhere. There are different parties concerts and programs in Thamel during this festival. People greet everyone and wish for good health and well-being for everyone.

On the occasion of Christmas, our president Bidhya Devi Bhandari and our prime minister KP Sharma Oli express their greeting of good health, prosperity, peace, and happiness to all the citizens of the country and to all Christians. Especially children are seen as more excited for Christmas as they will get gifts and Santa Claus. Unlike other festivals in Nepal, you can eat non-vegetarian food at Christmas. Mostly roasted chicken, vegetable salad, and other Nepali foods along with turkey, pumpkin pies, and Christmas puddings are made in a feast during this festival. Many restaurants offer discounts during this time of the year.

You will have to visit churches during Christmas as it is decorated in the most beautiful way. Christmas Trees are decorated beautifully with bells, stars, reindeer, gift boxes, and many other decorations and the twinkling stars add more beauty to the decoration. People sing and dance in the church they thank Jesus for giving them life. Normally, Christian people host parties or any kind of feast in their house.

Merry Christmas in Nepal

Christmas is celebrated globally on the birthday of Jesus Christ. They celebrate this day to remember the sacrifice made by Jesus on earth. Although the exact day on which Jesus Christ was born is unknown now. However, it is said that he was born around 7 BC, which was during the 4th century. Before this time people used to worship and celebrate this day secretly. Christmas was officially started celebrated on December 25th by the western church later on the eastern country also started celebrating Christmas on the same day.

During the 4th century before the birth of Jesus Christ people used to celebrate light during mid-winter. People used to celebrate that the worst part of the year winter has ended and they could see the sun and feel warm. People used to worship different gods for the summer, Germans used to thank and worship god Oden and Romans would worship Saturn who is also known as the God of agriculture. But after the birth of Jesus Christ people started celebrating Christmas.

 

The history behind Christmas Celebration

Years ago prophets had promised Jewish people of the western region that God would send them a savior and teacher to teach them about the importance of life. Now after the birth of Jesus people started to believe that Jesus Christ is the savior and teacher that god had sent. Jesus’s mother was a young lady who was engaged and got pregnant. Due to some reason, the engagement could not turn into a marriage. Jesus’ father’s name was Joseph and he was kind of upset that his fiancé was pregnant. Then an angel came to him and told him that the baby would be a holy one and he had to take good care of the baby.

According to the Roman ruler, all the people have to move back to their homes of the tax. Joseph took his wife to the stable and his wife had a baby at the same stable and named the baby Jesus Christ. On the same night, there came two visitors. The first visitor was shepherds in the fields they would find a newborn king lying in an animals’ feed bin. And the next visitor was a wise man who recently saw a new star in the sky and followed it until he found the stable in which Jesus was born. So this is how Jesus was born. And now Christmas is celebrated to remember these incidents of Jesus Christ. Every year 25th of December is the birth of Jesus Christ.

Chrismas started with the king of Rome Constantine

The official celebration of Christmas was started by the king of Rome Constantine. In Nepal celebrated since 2007 after Nepal was declared as a secular state. During the rule of arenas in 1950, BS Nepal Christians went to India as celebrating Christmas was not allowed in Nepal. But after the Rana rule collapsed all the Christian people came back to Nepal. After that many international agencies like the United Mission to Nepal and International Nepal Fellowship were established in Nepal along with these agencies Christianity started to increase in Nepal. After that slow churches started to build.

Now many national and international organization has been giving relief and donation to homeless and elderly people through the churches. Now a day’s maximum of churches has been serving Nepal as a shelter for the elderly and homeless people. They also have been providing free education. Nowadays people have been attracted to Christianity more.

 

Santa clause in Merry Christmas

Santa clause is one of the most exciting things about Christmas. Years ago in Turkey, there was a famous monk named st. Nicholas. He was famous for the piety and kindness he showed to all the people. He belonged to a rich and wealthy family. Then he traveled to the countryside and gave all his wealth to the poor and sick. Once he saved three poor girls who were sold by their fathers to slavery and prostitution.

Then he traveled into many places he saved thousands of children from child labor and gave them a good life. So because of his kind habit, he is known as Santa clause all around the world. So from then, every child waits for the gift from Santa clause during Christmas. Children are fonder of Santa clause. During Christmas, many parents dress up as Santa clause and gave their children gifts.

Christmas Song

Jingle Bells

James Pierpont – 1857

Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh
Over the fields we go, laughing all the way;
Bells on bob-tail ring, making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight

Chorus
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!
O what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells, Jingle all the way!
O what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh

A day or two ago, I thought I’d take a ride
And soon Miss Fanny Bright Was seated by my side;
The horse was lean and lank, misfortune seemed his lot;
He got into a drifted bank and we got upset
(Chorus)

A day or two ago, the story I must tell
I went out on the snow, and on my back, I fell;
A gent was riding by, in a one-horse open sleigh
He laughed as there I sprawling lie but quickly drove away
(Chorus)

Now the ground is white, go it while you’re young
Take the girls tonight, and sing this sleighing song;
Just get a bob-tailed bay, two-forty as his speed
Hitch him to an open sleigh and crack! You’ll take the lead
(Chorus)

 

International Christmas in Kathmandu, Nepal

The Christmas season in Kathmandu is a very fun and exciting time of the year. As Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal, there are many big malls and shops in Kathmandu. You can celebrate your best Christmas in Kathmandu. Thamel is the best place where you can spend your Christmas. All the shops in Thamel are decorated with lights. You can see the Christmas trees decorated with lights and glitters in every shop. There is also an artificial snowman all around the road in Thamel.

As deforestation is not allowed nowadays but for celebrating Christmas there are different artificial trees which are environment friendly. The artificial trees during Christmas can be stored for further use. Most of the people in Kathmandu wear the famous Santa cap and give the Christmas vibe. You can get Christmas special meals like chicken, vegetable salad, and other Nepali foods along with turkey, pumpkin pies, and Christmas puddings in the restaurant of Kathmandu. During this time of the year, many restaurants tend to give discounts to customers, especially tourists. There are also many churches in Kathmandu which you can visit. People celebrate Christmas in churches by singing, dancing, and performing the different Jesus Christ’s acts.

People in the church tell a lot of Christmas-related stories. Santa Claus will be giving presents to all the children in the church. There are different concerts and programs held in any part of the country on the occasion of Christmas. Although we Nepali people follow the Hindu and celebrate Hindu New Year we also celebrate English New Year with the same enthusiasm. People go to clubs and parties for celebrating New Year and Christmas. Kathmandu is the main point where normally tourists tend to spend their Christmas and New Year.

Christmas 2024/2025

Christmas is an international festival. People almost around the country celebrate Christmas. Every year for Christmas in Nepal. people gather together during this festival and celebrate it with family and friends. But this year 2020 during the pandemic many of us are in lockdown. The risk of coronavirus is all around the world. The entire world is suffering from this virus. Many people around the world have lost their life due to this disease. On the other hand, we should also celebrate our festival and save our culture. During this crucial time, we must be careful while celebrating the festival. The government has prohibited public gatherings and celebrating festivals.

But during this time for Christmas in Nepal, we must celebrate the festival cautiously. Thanks to invention and technology there have been many virtual ways of celebrating festivals. Video conferences with the family will keep you close to your near once during this festive season. Also, there are many online stores that provide a safe delivery system. You can send gifts and food via online stores to your family or friends.

 

Things to do during Christmas in Nepal

Even though Christmas is not a Nepalese event in the traditional sense, we nonetheless celebrate it to show our respect for religion. Additionally, 1.41% of the population in Nepal is Christian. The Nepali government observes a national holiday on this auspicious day in consideration.

Compared to the west, it is not as joyful and widely celebrated. Nevertheless, seeing the type of celebrations that take place here around Christmas in Nepal is quite heartwarming and overwhelming given the prominence of other religions in the nation. Similarly, you might spend your Christmas in Nepal as you choose, from completing adventurous hikes to relaxing around busy cities.

Although there are fewer Christmas celebrations in Nepal than in other nations with a Christian majority, there are still plenty of other things to do there.

Here are some suggestions for things to do in Nepal should you travel there during the holiday season:

Explore Thamel

Visit Kathmandu’s Thamel, the city’s central district. This area of the city usually has a lot of Christmas lights and decorations up. Since it is a popular tourist destination, there are usually concerts and other events happening there, and restaurants will take the opportunity to provide Christmas fare to travelers in need.

Asan Local Market

The place to go in Kathmandu for those who enjoy shopping is the Asan local street market. A market with a long history of trading offers a wide range of goods to purchase at extremely low costs, from garments to condiments.

Kathmandu and Pokhara nightclubs

If you want to spend time outside at night, both Kathmandu and Pokhara have a significant number of nightclubs and pubs where you can go to a party or join Christmas celebrations if they are being held. There were several programs planned just for Christmas at those bars. You are welcome to go there and take part in the dancing and good music.

Walking past Pokhara Lake

Pokhara’s lakeside is well known to both locals and tourists. People may enjoy a nice walk in the evening with a lovely view of the Christmas decorations along Pokhara’s lakefront.

A hundred kilometers or more to the west of Kathmandu, in the lakeside city of Pokhara, there are also huge Christmas celebrations. However, many people visit Pokhara for enjoyable pursuits that aren’t necessarily related to the holiday season, such as paragliding, boating on Lake Phewa, biking, bungee jumping, and hiking.

Trekking

Trekking in the Himalayas appears to be the most popular recreation in this country of snow-capped mountains. Nepal is highly recognized for its trekking trails, which take you to some of the most stunning and well-known mountains in the world. If you wanted an exciting Christmas in Nepal, you could walk into the hills and experience being in the snow.

The Annapurna Base Camp, one of Nepal’s primary trekking hubs, is also quite popular. From there, you may go on excursions that take you through various imposing mountain ranges, through local settlements, and among the native animals. Treks are still possible in the winter, but you’ll need to be prepared to pack a sleeping bag and occasionally set up camp on the ground.

The two-week journey from Everest Base Camp, which is located at the base of the highest mountain in the world, is another trekking adventure that some people may be interested in. This trip is also available in the winter. You are taken to breathtaking viewing places close to Mount Everest as well as the renowned Tengboche Monastery at the mountain’s base.

Mountain biking

Nepal is a nation of variations, with all the right mountain riding terrain to satisfy any mountain biker’s needs. For those who love mountain riding, it is the ideal location. The Upper Mustang and Annapurna regions, as well as the area around Pokhara, are all included in Nepal’s mountain riding excursions. Riders from all over the world are drawn to Nepal, which is promoting itself as a mountain-riding destination. Rentable mountain bikes are offered in Nepal for those who cannot buy them.

Chitwan National Park

Visit the Chitwan National Park, the largest natural preserve in all of Nepal. You can go to Sauraha village, which is close to the park (conservation area). The climate is consistently warm, and you may visit this area to observe one-horned rhinoceroses, Bengal tigers, and other protected endangered animals. Numerous tourists also embark on elephant rides, animal safaris, boat trips down the Rapti River, and excursions to the traditional Tharu communities.

Visit Kathmandu’s and Pokhara’s churches.

No Christmas Eve is complete without visiting the midnight church mass, and on Christmas Day, people assemble in Kathmandu and Pokhara at the midnight masses. You may spend some time and take it easy in the environment, which is divine and serene. Even more individuals from abroad donate to or distribute presents to the church’s young members. This is the best way to spread kindness and happiness among people.

 

Food to try during Christmas in Nepal

Nepalese cuisine has its own distinctive flavors and also involves a combination of other Asian cuisines. Momos, which are Tibetan-style dumplings packed with meat and spices, are particularly popular. Roti, rice, and dal are three major food items that are derived from Indian cuisine and are commonly eaten as regular meals by Nepalese people. In Nepal, Chinese and Indian cuisines are immensely popular, and more recently, western foods have begun to appear on Nepalese menus.

The type of food prepared at Christmas in Nepal has also been influenced by western cuisine. A combination of Nepalese and Western cuisines is prepared during this season. Cakes are also a common preparation, and some locations hold cake-mixing rituals as part of Christmas.

In addition to this, there is a wide variety of mouthwatering street food to try. Moreover, as cows are respected in Nepal and are not eaten, it is best to avoid bringing up the subject of beef because you run the risk of offending someone.

Although there are many different foods to choose from, we still advise eating traditional Nepali food on this day. Besides, you may taste Newari cuisine and tour the traditional local places. One of Nepal’s ethnic groups, the Newari, has a diverse culture, customs, and cuisine. If you like, you may order an entire meal platter in addition to a selection of food options and local alcohol. In addition, various foods such as Sel Roti, Dal Bhat Tarkari, Thukpa, Momos, and Yomari are usually prepared around Christmas in Nepal.

 

How Christmas is celebrated in Nepal

In Nepal, the government began celebrating Christmas Day as a national holiday in 2063 BS (2006). For the next 11 years, Christmas Day was proclaimed a national holiday by the government. In actuality, the government acknowledges dozens of holidays in Nepal. So, in 2016, Christmas’ public holiday status was removed due to the excessive number of days off.

But many of Nepal’s almost four million Christians will continue to celebrate even without official recognition. Even though it is not a national holiday, there is still celebration at the office, schools, markets, and churches on this day. On Christmas Eve at midnight and maybe on Christmas Day, many Nepali Christians will attend special church services. Christmas is celebrated on December 25 in Nepal, and many of its rituals were “imported” from the West.

Christians will celebrate Christmas with friends and family, attend parties, exchange gifts, and decorate their houses with Christmas trees and lights. The ornaments on the trees will include bells, stars, reindeer, and miniature versions of wrapped presents. Most of the Christmas shopping starts up in early December.

Those who are celebrating Christmas will go to their friends’ homes on Christmas morning to wish them a good Christmas. Similarly, in the evening, the family and the guests will eat Christmas dinner together.

In addition, Christmas is often celebrated in Nepal by visiting churches on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The Christians even hosted a Christmas party at their residence and invited their loved ones. As part of their celebration, they pray to God, sing carols, and even dance to the rhythm. Then they offer a selection of delicious foods to their guests and wish them a happy Christmas.

Similar to this, a few public locations now have decorations, which wasn’t the case in the last several years. Christmas in Nepal is being observed in a festive manner because of the influence of tourism.

For those in Nepal who practice Christianity and believe in a higher power, Christmas is an important festival. They travel to their holy places and pray to their gods for happiness and optimism to enter their lives and the world.

FAQs

When does Christmas fall in Nepal?

Nepal observes the December 25th date of Christmas, and many of its Christmas traditions are “imported” from the West. Believers will attend Christmas parties with friends and family, exchange presents, and decorate their homes with Christmas lights and Christmas trees.

Is there a holiday for Christmas in Nepal?

Christmas is one of the celebrations recognized in Nepal; however, there is no official holiday observed by the government. Since 2006, there has been a national holiday; nevertheless, it only lasted for 11 years.

Why is Christmas celebrated in Nepal?

It enables us to feel happy about who we are and what we have accomplished. We reinforce something significant to us when we rejoice. Without it, we merely preserve the status quo and, to be honest, enjoy ourselves much less.