Pilgrimage Festival Calendar

Major festivals across faith traditions, organized by month, to help you time an especially meaningful visit — or plan around the busiest travel dates.

February

Losar (Tibetan New Year)

Lunar calendar — usually February · Buddhist · Bhutan

Marks the Tibetan/Bhutanese New Year with monastery ceremonies and traditional dance.

Maha Shivaratri

Lunar calendar — usually February/March · Hindu

A major festival honouring Shiva, observed with particular significance at Pashupatinath Temple in Nepal.

April

Easter

Varies — late March to late April · Christian

The most significant Christian observance, drawing large numbers of pilgrims to Jerusalem's Old City.

May

Buddha Purnima (Vesak)

Full moon, usually May · Buddhist · Nepal

Commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha — a significant day at Lumbini.

August

Teej

Lunar calendar — usually August/September · Hindu · Nepal

A Hindu festival widely observed in Nepal, particularly significant for women pilgrims.

December

Christmas

December 25 · Christian

Widely observed in Bethlehem, where the Church of the Nativity holds special significance on this day.

Many festival dates follow lunar or regional calendars and shift from year to year — treat months here as approximate and confirm exact dates closer to your travel window.