Pokhara Street Festival scheduled for Poush 13–17
A street festival is set to be held on the shore of Phewa Lake, a major tourist destination in Pokhara, the tourism capital, from the upcoming Poush 13–17.
The Restaurant and Bar Association Nepal (REBAN) Pokhara announced at a press conference held today that it is going to organize the 27th Street Festival on the occasion of 2026.
With the slogan “Eat on the street, enjoy on the street,” the festival will be organized across a three-and-a-half-kilometer stretch along the Phewa Lake shore, said REBAN Pokhara President Bishworaj Poudel. The organizers stated that, despite the difficult situation and crisis following the recent Gen Z movement, they believe the festival will help make the vision of sustainable tourism meaningful.
Poudel said that there was once a trend of traveling to India’s Goa and Thailand to celebrate the New Year, but the Street Festival broke that tradition and established Pokhara as a major New Year destination. According to him, the festival, which promotes food, culture, and music, has secured a special place not only in Pokhara’s tourism but also in the overall development of Nepal’s tourism.
He added that after every crisis, the festival has proven effective in revitalizing a slowed tourism business and in delivering the message that “Pokhara is safe and open.”
Poudel said the Pokhara Street Festival is not just an event but has become an integral part of Pokhara’s identity, brand, and proud history.
Festival coordinator Basanta Gautam said the festival will include:
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Endangered cultural programs of various ethnic communities
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Displays of traditional attire
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Processions
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Various competitions
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On-street displays of national and international cuisines
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Live concerts
Gautam added that sports activities will include:
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Boat race
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Waiter race
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Tug of war
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Special games targeted for tourists
He also said the festival will feature:
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Awareness-focused street drama
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Talk shows centered on the development, promotion, opportunities, and challenges of Pokhara’s tourism
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Exhibitions prioritizing locally produced handicrafts, paintings, sculptures, and agricultural and botanical products from the Pokhara area
Gautam said, “Pokhara is, in itself, a city like an open museum in natural and cultural terms. We believe this street festival will establish that identity and support tourism and the economy. Especially in the winter season, when tourism business slows down, it has kept the sector dynamic and has conveyed Pokhara’s message worldwide throughout the year.”
Hotel Association Pokhara President Laxman Suvedi said the festival has been promoting Pokhara as a destination for both domestic and international tourists for the English New Year.
Pokhara Festival