Kathmandu’s cultural calendar is dictated by lunar cycles and is deeply intertwined with its historical sites.
* **International Museum Day:** Celebrated annually on May 18th with special exhibitions, free entry to national museums, and heritage awareness programs. * **Indra Jatra:** The largest street festival in Kathmandu, featuring chariot processions, masked dances (Lakhey), and displays of ancient artifacts usually kept inside temples. * **Dashain and Tihar:** The major national festivals in autumn, during which the National Museum often highlights exhibits related to the goddess Durga and historical weaponry.