Holi - festival of color

Join lively street celebrations in Thamel and Basantapur Durbar Square on Monday, March 02, 2026. Learn the meaning behind the festival, take part in safe and eco-friendly color play, and experience Nepali culture in its happiest form. This is more than a festival it’s a memory you’ll carry forever.

Itinerary

9:00 AM: Get Ready First!

Your day starts not on the streets, but in your room. The first rule of Holi is to get ready for a big mess. Put coconut oil in your hair. Put a good lotion on your skin. This makes a thin coat. It makes it much easier to wash the colors off later. Wear old clothes you do not care about. A white t-shirt is a classic pick. The colors will look great on it. Put your phone and wallet in a bag that water cannot get into. This simple step keeps your things safe and dry. You will feel good knowing that your phone is ready for all the fun.

10:30 AM: Go into the Party in Thamel

Step outside into Thamel. It is the main area for people who visit Kathmandu. The air is already buzzing with excitement. You will see groups of friends, families, and other travelers. Their faces are already covered with color. They are carrying small bags of dry powder. They also have water guns. This is a good place to start the party. You can buy colors from a person on the street. The colors are made from safe plants. Join in the fun. Remember the main thing to say is "Happy Holi!" You can gently put a little color on someone's cheek. It is a nice way to say hello. The music is loud and happy. It makes you want to dance. People are laughing and running around.

12:00 PM: Go to the Main Area - Basantapur Durbar Square

Walk a short way to Basantapur Durbar Square. This is a place named a World Heritage Site. It is where the party is at its biggest. Many people come here for a large get-together. They often set up a stage. There is live music, DJs, and dancing. The air is full of colored powder. It makes a big cloud of many colors. The sound of happy shouting fills the air. It is a great feeling. Find a place to stand. Dance to the music. You will feel fully a part of the crowd. The energy is high. Everyone is happy. It is a moment you will not forget. You can watch the colors fall like soft rain from above.

2:00 PM: Lunch is a Good Idea

The party will make you hungry. Walk into a side street away from the main crowd. Look for a small place to eat. This is a good time to try some food for Holi. You can look for gujiya. It is a sweet cake. Or you can get a lassi. It is a cold drink made with yogurt. This is a good time to sit down and rest. It is a nice break before you get back to the party. You can talk to new friends. You can see all the colorful people walking by.

3:30 PM: Look at the Views from a Rooftop

The afternoon comes. The party in the street starts to slow down a little. You can find a rooftop cafe. From there, you can see all the colors below. You can drink a cup of Nepali tea. It is a great way to see how big the festival is. You can also take some last photos. The colors look so good from up high. It is a calm way to end the fun. You can feel the soft afternoon sun.

5:00 PM: Go Back and Clean Up

The main parties are done by late afternoon. It is time to go back to your hotel. You will need a big clean-up. A warm shower will feel great. After you are clean, you will feel tired but happy. You can have a calm dinner. Think about the day. It is one of the most bright and unique cultural events you can ever have.