27th Pokhara Street Festival 2082 to Be Held at Lakeside During English New Year
Pokhara, widely recognized as Nepal’s tourism capital and renowned for its natural beauty, is set to host the 27th Pokhara Street Festival 2082, one of the country’s largest and longest-running tourism and cultural festivals. The event will be organized by the Restaurant and Bar Association Nepal (REBAN), Pokhara, and will take place from Poush 13 to 17, 2082, coinciding with the English New Year celebrations.
The festival will be held along approximately 3.5 kilometers of the Lakeside area, stretching along the banks of Fewa Lake. With the theme “Eat on the street, dance on the street, and celebrate on the street,” the festival aims to promote food, culture, and music while contributing significantly to both Pokhara’s tourism sector and Nepal’s overall tourism development.
A Festival with Historical Significance
Over the past 26 years, the Pokhara Street Festival has evolved into a cultural and tourism landmark. At a time when celebrating the English New Year often meant traveling abroad to destinations such as Goa or Thailand, the festival successfully positioned Pokhara as a prime destination for English New Year celebrations. Today, the festival is not only an annual event but an integral part of Pokhara’s identity, brand value, and tourism heritage.
Throughout its long journey, Nepal’s tourism industry has faced numerous challenges, including political instability, the devastating 2015 earthquake, the global COVID-19 pandemic, and recent social movements. Despite these obstacles, the Pokhara Street Festival has consistently played a revitalizing role by helping revive tourism and conveying the message that Pokhara remains a safe, vibrant, and welcoming destination. This continuity has brought the festival to its 27th edition.
Contribution to Tourism and the Local Economy
Pokhara is often described as an open museum due to its rich natural and cultural landscape. The street festival further strengthens this identity by energizing tourism during the winter season, traditionally considered an off-peak period. By promoting the concept of “Pokhara all year round,” the festival supports sustainable tourism growth.
The event also provides a valuable platform for local farmers, artisans, and small entrepreneurs to showcase and sell agricultural products, handicrafts, and locally made goods. In addition, by encouraging foreign tourists to celebrate Christmas and New Year within Nepal, the festival directly contributes to foreign currency earnings and local economic activity.
Major Attractions of the Festival
The 27th Pokhara Street Festival will feature a wide range of cultural, culinary, and entertainment activities. Visitors can experience cultural diversity through traditional costumes, dances, and cultural processions representing Nepal’s various ethnic communities, including endangered cultural traditions.
Food remains a central attraction of the festival, with a vibrant street food experience offering both national and international cuisines prepared and served directly along the streets. Entertainment programs will include live concerts by renowned national artists, as well as traditional folk and dohori music performances.
Adventure and sports activities will add further excitement, including boat races on Fewa Lake, waiter races, tug-of-war competitions, and special games designed for tourists. Educational and promotional programs such as talk shows on tourism opportunities and challenges in Pokhara, documentary screenings, and photo exhibitions highlighting the city’s beauty will also be organized.
Partners and Sponsors
The festival is supported by a wide network of sponsors and institutions. Gorkha Brewery Pvt. Ltd. is the main sponsor, while co-sponsors include Bottlers Nepal (Terai) Ltd., The Nepal Distillery Pvt. Ltd., Yeti Distillery Pvt. Ltd., Nepal Telecom, and ZYN. Siddhartha Bank Ltd. serves as the banking partner.
Promotional support is being provided by the Gandaki Province Ministry of Industry and Tourism, Nepal Tourism Board, Pokhara Metropolitan City, Pokhara Tourism Council, and the Pokhara Visit Year 2025 campaign. Additional support comes from organizations such as Mi Pani, Grihalaxmi Gas, Annapurna Cable Car, and Red Bull.
Call for Media Support
REBAN Pokhara has extended an invitation to journalists and media professionals, emphasizing the vital role of the media in communicating the festival’s objectives and message to the general public. The organizers have requested continuous coverage and promotion through print, broadcast, and digital platforms to encourage visitors to participate and celebrate in Pokhara.
Concluding the announcement, the organizers stated that the Pokhara Street Festival is not merely a REBAN event but a national tourism celebration representing Pokhara and Nepal as a whole. They expressed confidence that, with continued media cooperation and public support, the 27th edition will be successful, dignified, and impactful.
