World welcomes 2026 with hope; festive celebrations mark New Year in Nepal
With the first morning of the New Year, people in Nepal and across the globe are exchanging greetings and celebrating in high spirits.
KATHMANDU: The Gregorian New Year 2026 has officially begun today, as the world bids farewell to 2025 and welcomes the new year with renewed enthusiasm, optimism, and celebration.
With the first morning of the New Year, people in Nepal and across the globe are exchanging greetings and celebrating in high spirits.
World leaders and heads of state have issued New Year messages, extending wishes for global peace, stability, and the shared prosperity of humanity.
In Nepal, the arrival of the New Year has brought a vibrant surge of domestic and international tourists to major destinations.
Popular hubs in the Kathmandu Valley—including Thamel, Bouddha, and Durbar Marg—along with destinations outside the valley such as Pokhara, Sauraha in Chitwan, Nagarkot, and Dhulikhel, are witnessing lively celebrations and festive gatherings.
From New Year’s Eve onward, these areas hosted musical performances, street festivals, and special events, drawing large crowds of revelers.
The strong tourist turnout has infused fresh optimism among tourism entrepreneurs. Hotels, restaurants, and resorts are operating at near-full capacity, sending a positive signal for economic activity and recovery.
The New Year is observed according to the Gregorian calendar, introduced by Pope Gregory XIII and based on the birth year of Jesus Christ.
Today, the Gregorian calendar is widely used across the world for administrative, commercial, and official purposes.
