Thamel Nakha Festival 2024 is an upcoming cultural celebration that showcases the rich cultural heritage of Nepal. This vibrant festival is going to be celebrated in the Thamel area during the 44th World Tourism Day. In collaboration with The Kathmandu Post, thamel tourism development council announced the news.
Thamel is the popular tourist hub inside the Kathmandu valley. The grand carnival announcement by the Thamel tourism development council is great news for cultural and art enthusiasts. The great event of the Thamel Nakha Festival 2081 will transform into a carnival with seven experimental zones, showcasing local culture, music, art, and cuisine.
This vibrant festival is expected to promote the local culture and traditions globally. It fosters community engagement, raises environmental awareness, and stimulates economic growth through tourism. Complete this blog reading to learn about the intriguing facts and things about the Thamel Nakha Festival.
Highlights of the Thamel Nakha Festival 2024
- Blend of traditional and contemporary performances
- Local art exhibitions and live art installations
- Display of kites on the blue sky
- Culinary experiences of the dishes including Wo (Bara), Chatamari, Chatamari, Aila, and so on
- A Muay Thai Showcase
- Live musical performances
- A tattoo art zone for tattoo lovers
When is the Thamel Nakha Festival going to be celebrated?
The Thamel Nakha Festival is going to be celebrated on September 27, 2024. This festival also coincides with the 44th World Tourism Day. According to the Nepali calendar, this vibrant carnival is going to be celebrated on 11 Asoj, 2081.
Major attractions of the festival
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Cultural performances (traditional music, dances, etc.).
The Nakha festival in Thamel is incomplete without the cultural performances. So, cultural acts like traditional music singing, dances, and so on will be performed during the Thamel Nakha festival. Some of the traditional dances include Dhime Naach and various other folk dances.
According to the sources, various ethnic groups will perform the dances, like Ghatu Naach. Lathi Naach, and Sama Chakewa. These dances will be performed in their own traditional music, which has a separate importance. So, this festival is going to be great for those who want to gain some cross-cultural understanding.
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Traditional Nepalese food and street stalls
The traditional food items and stalls add light to the festivals that are celebrated inside the Kathmandu valley. Similar is happening in this thamel fest 2024. A variety of traditional food items are available in the hotels and restaurants, especially during this grand festival.
Some of the popular foods include Chatamari, Bara, Choyala, Wo (व:), and so on. In addition, the street stalls are also available during this Kathmandu festival 2024. You can enjoy the food items, including samosas, momos (dumplings), pakoras (fried fritters), jalebi (fried dough soaked in syrup), barfi (sweet milk-based confection), lassi (yogurt drink), masala chai (spiced tea), and so on, on the various food stalls.
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Handicraft and art exhibitions
The festival includes a variety of handicraft and art exhibitions. These artistic exhibitions showcase the rich artistic heritage of Nepal. Various local artisans present their handmade crafts, including pottery, textiles, woodwork, and metal crafts, during the exhibitions. Some of the other items include weaving, Thangka painting, and wood carving.
With the traditional crafts, art pieces like painting, sculpture, photography, digital art, and so on are also displayed in the exhibitions. Also, there will be art workshops where you can learn about the various handicraft techniques or even try your hand at creating your own pieces under the guidance of skilled artisans.
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A Muay Thai Showcase
This is one of the major festival events happening in the Thamel of Kathmandu. This Muay Thai showcase features skilled Muay Thai athletes in the event. The athletes demonstrate their techniques and artistry in the traditional Thai martial art. This festival aimed to promote the Muay Thai and showcase the integration of different cultures through martial arts.
There will be live workshops where you can learn basic Muay Thai techniques from experienced trainers. It is the unique opportunity to learn something new.
Things you can do during the event
During the event, you can go for the heritage tour around the kathmandu in the day and enjoy the event at night. Also, you can go for the short hikes, including shivapuri one day hike, nagarjun jamacho one day hike, namobuddha to panauti one day hiking, and so on.
After the event, you can go for the everest base camp trek, the annapurna base camp trek, or the langtang valley trek.
Tips for Tourists Attending the Festival
- Visit Kathmandu a few days before the festival celebrations to enjoy the pre-festival environment.
- Familiarize yourself with the festival's events before visiting
- Wear comfortable clothing suitable for outdoor activities.
- Stay hydrated and consider carrying a reusable water bottle.
- Don’t miss out on traditional dishes like chatamari, bara, and choyala.
- Engage in cultural activities or workshops if available.
- Be respectful to locals and ask permissions before taking photographs of people or sacred sites.
- Keep an eye on your belongings to avoid theft.
- Familiarize yourself with local transportation options.
- Keep emergency contact numbers handy.
Conclusion
The Thamel Nakha festival 2024 is going to be a great festival celebrated in the Thamel of Kathmandu. This grand cultural carnival will feature seven zones showcasing traditional and contemporary performances, local art exhibitions, street food, and a Muay Thai showcase. This event is organized to promote Nepal's cultural heritage, boost tourism, and foster community engagement.
