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Things to Do in Kathmandu
The 20 best things to do in Kathmandu, from the stupas and old royal squares to live music in Thamel, Newari food, hikes on the valley rim and the run clubs locals join. Each one links to what's actually on for it this week, because Kata Jaam? lists every event across the valley and updates every day.
Jump to what's on tonight, this weekend, or free events — or browse by what you're in the mood for below.
Updated 21 October 2026
- 1.Climb up to Swayambhunath
- 2.Walk the kora at Boudhanath
- 3.Watch the evening aarati at Pashupatinath
- 4.Explore Kathmandu Durbar Square
- 5.Spend an afternoon in Patan
- 6.Take a day trip to Bhaktapur
- 7.Catch live music in Thamel
- 8.See a concert
- 9.Go out after dark
- 10.Laugh at a stand-up or open mic
- 11.Watch the big game at a bar
- 12.Eat Newari food
- 13.Browse the bazaars and weekend markets
- 14.Take a quiet hour in the Garden of Dreams
- 15.Hike Shivapuri, Nagarjun or Champadevi
- 16.Catch a Himalayan sunrise at Nagarkot
- 17.Ride the cable car up Chandragiri
- 18.Join a run club
- 19.Be here for a festival
- 20.Do it for free
On in Kathmandu this week
Today
Dandiya Utsav Season 5 — Birgunj
Town Hall, BirgunjNPR 399
Today· Every Wed
Shisha Wednesday Live Band: RiddimSons Band
Shisha Lounge and Bar, Thamel KathmanduFree
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Today
Dashain Tika Night at XO Club
XO Club, Chaksibari Marg, Thamel, Kathmandu
Tomorrow
Social Salsa Party S02E224
London Pub, DurbarmargFree
Friday, Oct 23
Mindful Miles by RT100 Run Club
Field Futsal, Sanepa, Lalitpur
Saturday, Oct 24
USK Vol. 65 - Tahaja Hills Sketch Meet
Tahaja Hill, BhaktapurFree
Saturday, Oct 24
Goalkick Global Cup 2026: International Youth Football Tournament
Royal Nepal 7A Side Futsal, Pepsicola, Kathmandu
Saturday, Oct 24
Back to the Roots - Cadenza Collective
Garden Project, Bhanimandal, LalitpurNPR 700
Saturday, Oct 24
Joy Series 11
Sips.co, KathmanduNPR 800
Saturday, Oct 24
Groove KTM Live at The Habre House: Jazz, Blues & Soul
The Habre House, Narsingh Chowk, Thamel, KathmanduFree
Saturday, Oct 24
Ragalaya Band Live at XO Club: Dashain After Bash Night
XO Club, Chaksibari Marg, Thamel, Kathmandu
Sunday, Oct 25
Kathmandu Heritage Run 2026
Basantapur Dabali, Kathmandu Durbar SquareFree
Sunday, Oct 25
Jigsaw Sunday by The Puzzle Club at Mellow Pomelo
Mellow Pomelo, Swoyambhu
Sunday, Oct 25
Dhvani Baithak
Department Of Plant Resources, Maternity Hospital RoadFree
Sunday, Oct 25
The Purnima Session: Moon Lamp Making Workshop
Tangerine Brunch l Bar, Bakhundole heightNPR 3,000
Sunday, Oct 25
Fundraiser for Echoes In The Valley, 2027 Edition
Jestha Varna Mahavihar (Jyaba Bahi), Chakrabahil, LalitpurNPR 1,000
Monday, Oct 26
Temple Run — Monday Run Club
Salesberry Tower, Maharajgunj, KathmanduFree
Monday, Oct 26
NPL Season 3 Opener: Lumbini Lions vs Sudurpaschim Royals
TU International Cricket Stadium, Kirtipur
Tuesday, Oct 27
NPL Season 3: Biratnagar Kings vs Chitwan Rhinos & Karnali Yaks vs Janakpur Bolts
TU International Cricket Stadium, Kirtipur
Tuesday, Oct 27
Tuesday Salsa Addiction – SBK Social at Hot Topic
Hot Topic (Ananda Bhawan), Lazimpat, Kathmandu
Tuesday, Oct 27
Tuesday Karaoke Night at Irish Pub
Irish Pub, Lazimpat, KathmanduFree
Oct 28
NepaQuest 10K — Basantapur
Basantapur Durbar Square, KathmanduNPR 300
Oct 28
NPL Season 3: Pokhara Avengers vs Sudurpaschim Royals
TU International Cricket Stadium, Kirtipur
Oct 28
Cadenza Collective at Jazz Upstairs
Jazz Upstairs, Lazimpat, KathmanduNPR 1,000
NEW DATE
Oct 28
RITVIZ’S KURTA SAREE DANCE PARTY
Club NOVA, ThamelNPR 2,500
The 20 best things to do in Kathmandu
Where there's something on for it, the link shows you what and when.
Heritage & sights
1.Climb up to Swayambhunath
West KathmanduThe Monkey Temple sits on a hill above the city. Take the long stone stairway on the east side early in the morning, before the tour groups, for the best view across the valley.2.Walk the kora at Boudhanath
BoudhaOne of the largest stupas in the world. Join the clockwise walk around it at dusk, when the butter lamps are lit, then watch from a rooftop café around the square.1 coming up3.Watch the evening aarati at Pashupatinath
Gaushala, on the BagmatiNepal's holiest Hindu temple. The main shrine is open to Hindus only, but anyone can watch the sunset aarati on the ghats from the river's east bank.4.Explore Kathmandu Durbar Square
BasantapurThe old royal palace square, still being rebuilt after the 2015 earthquake. The Kumari Ghar, home of the living goddess, is on the square, and Freak Street runs off its south side.5.Spend an afternoon in Patan
LalitpurPatan Durbar Square has the valley's finest Newari architecture, and the Patan Museum inside it is one of the best in South Asia. Stay on for an art opening or a courtyard concert.21 coming up6.Take a day trip to Bhaktapur
About 13 km eastThe best-kept of the three old royal cities: brick lanes, the five-storey Nyatapola temple, potters' square, and juju dhau (king curd) in a clay bowl.2 coming upGoing out
7.Catch live music in Thamel
ThamelBands play somewhere in Thamel almost every night: rock and cover bars, acoustic sets, jazz. Weekends run late.24 coming up8.See a concert
Across the valleyBig Nepali artists, touring acts and festival stages, mostly on Friday and Saturday nights. Tickets usually go on sale a few weeks ahead.24 coming up9.Go out after dark
Thamel, Durbarmarg, JhamsikhelClub nights and DJ sets in Thamel and Durbarmarg, and cocktail bars and rooftops in Jhamsikhel. Friday is the big night out.15 coming up10.Laugh at a stand-up or open mic
Cafés and small venuesStand-up in Nepali and English, poetry and music open mics. They're cheap or free, and a good way to meet people.3 coming up11.Watch the big game at a bar
Thamel, JhamsikhelPremier League and Champions League nights fill the sports bars, and big fights and finals get their own screenings.24 coming upFood & markets
12.Eat Newari food
Patan, Bhaktapur, KirtipurOrder a khaja set: beaten rice, bara (lentil pancake), choila (spiced grilled meat), achar. Then momo, anywhere, as many times as you like.13.Browse the bazaars and weekend markets
Asan, Indra Chowk, JhamsikhelAsan and Indra Chowk are the old trading streets, busy from early morning. Weekend farmers' markets and pop-ups run across Lalitpur.7 coming up14.Take a quiet hour in the Garden of Dreams
Beside ThamelA restored early-20th-century garden, two minutes from Thamel's traffic, with a café inside. Good for a slow coffee.Outdoors & day trips
15.Hike Shivapuri, Nagarjun or Champadevi
The valley rimDay hikes up the forested hills around the city, with Himalayan views on a clear morning. Start early; group hikes leave most weekends.3 coming up16.Catch a Himalayan sunrise at Nagarkot
About 30 km eastStay overnight to see the range at dawn. October to March gives the clearest skies.17.Ride the cable car up Chandragiri
South-west of the cityA cable car to the ridge above the valley, with the Himalaya on one side and all of Kathmandu on the other.Do it like a local
18.Join a run club
All over the valleyRunning has taken off in Kathmandu. Free club runs go most mornings, bigger races most months, and anyone can join.14 coming up19.Be here for a festival
EverywhereDashain and Tihar in autumn, Indra Jatra's chariots in Basantapur, Holi in spring. The city changes for weeks around each one.8 coming up20.Do it for free
Across the valleyGallery openings, jam sessions, community runs and the Boudha kora all cost nothing. New free events are listed every week.20 coming upNever miss a thing to do in Kathmandu
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Browse by category
Browse by vibe
Explore by neighbourhood
Thamel
Kathmandu's nightlife and live-music heart.
Jhamsikhel
The valley's after-work cocktail and brunch district.
Patan
Heritage courtyards, cultural shows, and slow-travel events.
Boudha
Cafés, meditation, kora, and quiet community events.
Durbarmarg
Polished restaurants, late-night clubs, and ticketed gigs.
Bhaktapur
Heritage festivals, jatras, and traditional Newari nights.
Baluwatar
Quieter pocket of dinners, embassy events, and curated nights.
Pulchowk
Student-heavy cafés, bookstores, and weekend acoustic gigs.
Frequently asked questions
The classics are Swayambhunath at sunrise, the evening kora at Boudhanath, the aarati at Pashupatinath, an afternoon in Patan and a day trip to Bhaktapur. After dark, it's live music in Thamel and bars in Jhamsikhel; on weekend mornings, a hike on the valley rim or a run club. This page lists all twenty, with this week's events for each, and it updates every day.
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