Christmas is popular in Nepal and celebrated by both Christians and non-Christians, even though Christians make up less than 2% of the population. The festive season starts in early December as department stores decorate for Christmas and sell Christmas trees, lights, and gifts.
For Christians, Christmas is an important religious holiday marking the birth of Jesus Christ. Many Nepali Christians attend special church services on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning that include carols, nativity plays, and readings from the Bible.
Special community meals are also organized by the churches for churchgoers after the services. Apart from the religious celebrations, Christmas in Nepal also carries a cultural and commercial significance, having been introduced during the Rana regime in the mid-1900s.
The main Christmas celebration is held annually at Kathmandu’s Catholic Assumption Church, attracting Christian and non-Christian attendees. It features a grand midnight mass held on Christmas Eve which is presided over by the Bishop and attended by the President and high-ranking officials as special invitees. Churches as well as Christian schools and colleges organize various Christmas programs featuring singing, dancing, and dramatizations of Biblical stories.
For non-Christians, Christmas serves as an occasion to engage in revelry. Big hotels and restaurants organize special feasts and events which attract Nepalis regardless of religious affiliation. Department stores decorate lavishly and offer discounts on international brands to attract shoppers. The tradition of gift-giving is also catching on, especially among young urban Nepalis. For them, Christmas represents good food, parties, gifts, and family time more than the religious occasion it is meant to be.
All in all, Christmas adds to Nepal’s cultural mosaic - blending religious meaning, cultural tradition, and commercial hype into one big holiday season.
One unique part of Christmas in Nepal is the tradition of decorating mango trees, rather than pine or fir trees. Since fir and pine trees are scarce in Nepal, mango trees are decorated colorfully with lights and ornaments to be used as make-shift Christmas trees. A star is placed at the top to represent the Star of Bethlehem. Neighborhoods can sometimes appear to be competing to see who has decorated their mango tree most lavishly.
Families will decorate their homes with garlands of leaves known as "marigolds" over their doorways and windows. On Christmas morning, groups of children will go caroling door-to-door singing traditional Christmas songs. In return for their caroling, they are often given sweets, dried fruits, and sometimes money. Many Nepali Christmas carols are translations from English carols but sometimes have a distinctly Hindu-Buddhist background with references to gods and goddesses.
A traditional Christmas Day meal in Nepal is roasted chicken or duck along with vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, squash, and cauliflower. Most families will also make pastries and cakes on Christmas. Some common Christmas treats include fruitcake, Christmas pudding, fragrant gingerbreads, and powdery shortbreads. These baked goods are shared with friends, neighbors, and extended family who stop by for a Christmas Day visit.
Some Christian families maintain an advent tradition of lighting candles and reading scriptures leading up to Christmas. Gift-giving on Christmas itself has not taken hold strongly yet, though the commercialization and sales during the season continue to grow more each year. Many Nepalis and tourists alike enjoy participating in the cultural blend of customs and foods that make up a Nepali Christmas.
Major Destination in Nepal to Celebrate Christmas
Kathmandu Churches
Most of the grand church celebrations happen in Kathmandu at popular churches like Assumption Church, St. Mary's Church of the Assumption, and Holy Trinity Cathedral. Attending midnight mass at one of these churches allows you to join locals in singing beloved carols and taking part in rituals.
Thamel
The main tourist area of Thamel is decorated lavishly during the Christmas season. The streets are draped in twinkling lights, shops display Christmas trinkets and souvenirs, and restaurants serve special holiday meals. You’ll run into carolers singing songs or playing impromptu concerts.
Nagarkot Village
This village nestled in the hills outside Kathmandu offers stunning Himalayan views along with quaint lodges and hotels. Visit here to escape the crowds of the capital and enjoy a peaceful Christmas morning watching the sun rise over snow-capped mountains. Many lodges organize Christmas entertainment and meals.
Pokhara City
Pokhara's lakeside district also dazzles with lights and street decorations for Christmas. Take a festive rowboat ride on Phewa Lake or hike up to the Peace Pagoda for breathtaking views on Christmas Day. Keep an ear out for carolers serenading along the promenade.
Lumbini
The birthplace of Buddha and UNESCO World Heritage site also attracts Christians as the rumored birthplace of Jesus' lost years. Explore the spiritual monasteries and stupas. Join the musical performances and celebrations organized at Maya Devi Temple around Christmas.