The Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal (REBAN) Pokhara has officially formed the Steering and Coordination Committees to oversee the upcoming 27th Pokhara Street Festival, one of Nepal’s most anticipated annual tourism events.
The decision was made during the Association’s recent executive committee meeting held in Pokhara, which outlined key appointments and preparatory plans for the festival scheduled to take place from Poush 13 to 17, 2082 (December 28, 2025 – January 1, 2026) along Pokhara’s famed Lakeside.
According to REBAN Pokhara, the five-day celebration will once again carry the beloved slogan, “Let’s Eat in the Street, Dance in the Street, and Celebrate in the Street,” embodying the festival’s vibrant spirit of cultural unity, culinary delight, and open-air entertainment.
New Leadership for the 27th Edition
The executive meeting nominated First Vice President Basanta Gautam as the Festival Coordinator, entrusting him with the primary leadership role for the event’s planning and execution. Additionally, Executive Members Sunil Bahadur Bhattarai and Suman Bhattarai have been designated as Joint Coordinators, tasked with assisting in overall logistics, artist coordination, and stakeholder engagement.
A separate six-member Steering Committee has also been formed to provide strategic direction and decision-making support. The committee includes:
- Chairperson: Bishwaraj Poudel
- Immediate Past President: Naresh Bhattarai
- Coordinator: Basanta Gautam
- Second Vice President: Bikash Bhattarai
- General Secretary: Birendra Sherchan
- Treasurer: Roshan Jung Karki
This diverse leadership team combines experience and innovation to ensure that the 27th Pokhara Street Festival surpasses previous editions in scale, safety, and cultural depth.
A Festival Rooted in Tradition and Growth
Since its inception 26 years ago, the Pokhara Street Festival has grown into a global attraction, drawing thousands of domestic and international visitors each year. Held along nearly three kilometers of the Lakeside area, the event has firmly established Pokhara as the premier destination for celebrating the English New Year in Nepal.
The festival serves as a symbol of Pokhara’s multicultural identity, combining art, music, dance, and gastronomy in a lively open-air setting. It features live performances, local and international cuisines, artisan displays, street markets, and cultural parades, creating an atmosphere of joy and community celebration.
According to REBAN, the event not only entertains visitors but also plays a crucial role in boosting local businesses, expanding markets for locally made products, and preserving traditional arts and crafts.
Objectives and Economic Impact
The Street Festival’s core objectives go far beyond entertainment. According to REBAN Pokhara, the event aims to:
- Promote art and culture through inclusive performances and exhibitions.
- Expand market access for local products and producers.
- Stimulate trade and tourism-based branding for Pokhara as a global holiday destination.
- Preserve and showcase endangered cultural elements, crafts, and cuisines.
The Association highlights that the festival has continuously supported local economic activities, foreign exchange earnings, and employment generation. It also provides an invaluable platform for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), handicraft makers, and local farmers to display their goods to a broad audience.
Commitment to Innovation and Participation
Festival Coordinator Basanta Gautam emphasized that the 27th edition will incorporate new concepts, technology, and community participation to reflect the evolving expectations of both local and international visitors.
“We plan to make this year’s festival more engaging, inclusive, and environmentally responsible,” said Gautam. “By integrating feedback and suggestions from stakeholders, we aim to renew the festival’s structure in line with the changing times while strengthening Pokhara’s tourism and local economy.”
He further noted that the organizing team will focus on improving logistical management, visitor safety, and cleanliness across the event area. The committee also plans to introduce new performance zones, children’s attractions, and culinary showcases to enhance visitor experience.
Pokhara’s Tourism Revival and Global Appeal
The upcoming festival holds special significance this year, as Pokhara continues to recover from the challenges faced by Nepal’s tourism sector due to economic slowdowns and recent social movements. REBAN’s commitment to sustaining this tradition represents hope for the revival of tourism momentum in the city.
Organizers expect this year’s edition to attract an even greater number of international travelers, many of whom have made it a tradition to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Pokhara, surrounded by the city’s natural beauty and festive energy.
“The Street Festival has transformed Pokhara into a world-renowned celebration hub,” said REBAN officials. “It has succeeded not only in promoting tourism but also in uniting communities under one cultural umbrella.”
