To celebrate the 44th World Tourism Day, Thamel Tourism Development, in collaboration with The Kathmandu Post, is hosting the Thamel Nakha Festival today.

The festival aims to revitalise Thamel as a tourism hub. Its major purpose is to celebrate culture, music, art, and cuisine while fostering local business growth and drawing international tourists.

“We have seen a recent decline in the flow of tourists in Thamel, and this event aims to reinvigorate the tourism industry by increasing foot traffic and promoting Thamel as a vibrant tourist hub”, says Rajeev Pandey, the vice president and event coordinator of Thamel Tourism Development Council.

The event will feature various activities spread across different locations in Thamel. For instance, the Sanjay Kosh Bhawan will host food stalls and live music performances by Sugam Pokhrel, Kuma Sagar and the Khwopa Band. Similarly, a DJ booth will be stationed at Chhatrapati, and Gairidhara will showcase a Muay Thai competition.

Similarly, art exhibitions by Dolchaa, Newari Bhoj by Newa Lahana, and a Tattoo convention will also be the festival's highlight. According to Pandey, last year’s event attracted ten thousand visitors, but the organisers expect a turnout of twenty to thirty thousand visitors this year.

Designed to embody the spirit of Thamel and its status as a tourism hub, Thamel Nakha will offer a diverse array of experiences that celebrate Nepal’s cultural heritage while embracing modern influences. The festival celebrates Nepal’s rich cultural heritage and promotes Thamel as a must-visit destination for international tourists and locals alike.

The festival is free to attend from 9:30 am to 10:00 pm.