In a significant move to strengthen cultural tourism and showcase Nepal’s rich artistic heritage, the Nepal Art Council (NAC) and the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaboratively organize the Nepal Art & Culture Festival 2025. The grand festival is scheduled to take place from 5th to 27th September 2025, coinciding with one of Nepal’s most vibrant and deeply rooted traditional celebrations, Indra Jatra.
A Celebration Rooted in Tradition
Indra Jatra, celebrated in the Kathmandu Valley, is one of the most significant cultural festivals in Nepal. Honoring Indra, the god of rain and harvest, the festival brings together centuries-old rituals, masked dances, religious processions, and traditional music that fill the air with devotion and joy. The timing of the Nepal Art & Culture Festival 2025 has been strategically aligned with Indra Jatra to amplify the cultural energy and attract a greater influx of domestic and international visitors during this festive season.
By integrating the NAC festival with Indra Jatra, the collaboration aims to create an immersive experience for tourists and citizens alike, combining ancient traditions with contemporary artistic expressions.
Festival Highlights: Art Meets Culture
Under the shared vision of the Nepal Art Council and Nepal Tourism Board, the festival promises to be a grand affair featuring a series of artistic and cultural events spread across the cultural epicenters of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan. These three historical cities, each known for their ancient architecture, temples, and artistic legacies, will serve as vibrant stages for the celebration of Nepal’s living heritage.
Some of the planned highlights of the festival include:
- Visual Art Exhibitions: Showcasing both traditional and modern Nepali art by established and emerging artists.
- Cultural Performances: Folk dances, musical recitals, theatrical performances, and storytelling sessions rooted in Nepali folklore.
- Processions and Rituals: Live demonstrations of cultural practices and rituals observed during Indra Jatra.
- Workshops and Interactive Sessions: Engaging the public in pottery, Paubha painting, wood carving, and mask-making.
- International Artist Exchange Programs: Promoting cross-cultural dialogue through collaborative projects with international artists.
The festival aims not just to celebrate Nepali culture, but also to position Nepal as a global hub for cultural tourism, art appreciation, and heritage preservation.
Promoting Cultural Tourism in Nepal
Speaking on the occasion of the MoU signing, representatives from both the Nepal Tourism Board and Nepal Art Council emphasized the importance of integrating art and culture with tourism to present Nepal as a holistic travel destination. The initiative is part of NTB’s broader vision to diversify tourism beyond adventure and trekking, spotlighting Nepal’s intangible cultural assets and artistic treasures.
The collaboration also comes at a time when Nepal is gradually recovering from the impact of global travel restrictions and working to revive its tourism industry. By focusing on culture-based events and local community engagement, the Nepal Art & Culture Festival 2025 aims to stimulate economic activity, support local artisans, and encourage sustainable tourism practices.
Commitment to Nepal’s Cultural Heritage
With a strong commitment to preserving and promoting the nation’s artistic heritage, the Nepal Art Council has been instrumental in supporting exhibitions, documentation, and artist platforms for decades. Partnering with the Nepal Tourism Board, which brings global tourism outreach and strategic planning capabilities, is seen as a timely and effective collaboration.
The event is expected to draw thousands of visitors, including art enthusiasts, cultural researchers, students, diplomats, and tourists from across the globe. It will also provide Nepali youth and creative communities with a meaningful platform to explore, exhibit, and exchange ideas that are rooted in identity and tradition.
The Nepal Tourism Board and Nepal Art Council have both expressed confidence that this joint effort will set a new benchmark for cultural events in the country and serve as a blueprint for similar collaborations in the future.
Looking Ahead
As preparations begin for the September 2025 festival, the organizing bodies will soon release detailed programming, artist participation calls, volunteer opportunities, and ticketing options. Public and private sector stakeholders, municipalities, and international cultural organizations are also expected to play key roles in the successful execution of the festival.
The Nepal Art & Culture Festival 2025 is not just a celebration of art and tradition, but also a call to honor and protect Nepal’s living cultural legacy. With the majestic backdrop of Indra Jatra, the event promises to be a transformative journey through sound, color, dance, and devotion.
