Christmas Day Celebrated Across Nepal with Festive Spirit

Kathmandu — The Christian community is celebrating Christmas Day today in remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ. In recent years, Christmas has been observed not only as a religious festival but also as a social and cultural celebration, especially in major cities of Nepal.

On the occasion of Christmas, the capital Kathmandu along with tourist hubs such as Thamel, Boudha, Pokhara, and Sauraha have come alive with decorations and festive enthusiasm. Christmas trees, lights, and colorful ornaments can be seen in public places, while hotels, restaurants, and tourism-related businesses have witnessed increased activity.

According to Nepal Christian Federation President C.B. Gahatraj, Christmas is celebrated as a festival of love, peace, and salvation, based on the belief that Jesus Christ bestowed these values upon humanity. He said the federation has been organizing Christmas as a formal festival since B.S. 2063.

Today, the Federation’s Main Celebration Committee is organizing the “Christmas Festival 2082.” The festival is expected to see participation from government representatives, concerned stakeholders, human rights activists, and people from various communities.

The practice of granting a public holiday on Christmas Day in Nepal has changed over time. From (B.S. 2063–2074), Christmas was observed as a public holiday for all. For a few years afterward, the holiday was limited to Christian followers only. Since 2078 B.S., Christmas has once again been recognized as a public holiday for everyone.

According to the Federation, Nepal currently has around 3 million Christian followers and more than 13,000 churches in operation. With growing participation and public interest, Christmas is increasingly being established as a multicultural festival in Nepal.