Kathmandu: The Nepal Festival in San Francisco, California, was organized on May 10 to showcase Nepali culture and traditions on a global stage. This event was coordinated by the Non-Resident Nepalis Association (NRNA) California along with other Nepali social organisations, drawing substantial participation from the Nepali community throughout the United States, with attendees journeying from cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, and Sacramento.
The festival included a Nepal Day Parade that commenced at San Francisco City Hall and spanned approximately 1.6 miles to Embarcadero Plaza, during which Market Street was closed to vehicular traffic.
The streets were alive with Nepali tableaux, Nepalis wearing traditional attire, and cultural performances from diverse ethnic and regional groups. According to the organizer, the local American community displayed significant interest in the Nepali art and culture presented on the occasion.
The event saw a strong turnout from local public officials, including diplomatic representatives from various consulates, the Mayor of the Bay Area, and City Council members, underscoring the support for the Nepali community.
Among the notable performances were traditional dances such as Panchakanya, Kumari, Dhime, and Lakhe, accompanied by the playing of the Panchebaja (an ensemble of five traditional musical instruments) and Shankhadhwani (conch blowing), which enriched the festival’s cultural ambience and presented a glimpse of Nepali culture to all attendees.
Nepal Day Parade 2026 also took place in New York with a vibrant display of Nepali culture, traditions and natural attractions on May 18. The Non-Resident Nepali Association in New York (NRNA NY) and Federation of Indigenous Peoples of Nepal in America (FIPNA) jointly organized the parade.
The event was chaired by Vasu Lamichanne, President of NRNA NY, and convened by AP Lama. Sharad Raj Aran, Acting Ambassador of Nepal to US, served as the Chief Guest. The Special Guests were Dadhiram Bhandari, Consul General of the Nepal Consulate General in New York; Satendra Shah, President of NRNA NCC USA; and Senior Legal Practitioners, Keshavraj Sedai and Khagendra GC. Nearly five thousand people participated in the parade. The Nepali diaspora and friends from the US East Coast came together for a jubilant showcase of Nepal’s rich beauty and diversity.
