Nepal Handicraft Expo and Cultural Show in Kathmandu this Weekend

Stakeholders are preparing to organize a three-day Nepal Handicraft Expo and Cultural Show 2026 in Kathmandu from May 22 to 24 with the aim of promoting and marketing handicraft products produced by entrepreneurs across provinces and districts.

The event, coordinated by the District and Provincial Councils of the Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal (FHAN), will take place in Baluwatar. Announcing the program at a press conference on Monday, FHAN President Rabindra Shakya said the expo is intended to promote locally produced handicraft items, expand markets, and encourage local entrepreneurs.

According to Shakya, the handicraft sector provides self-employment opportunities to hundreds of thousands of people and exports goods worth around Rs 28 billion annually to countries including India and China. Handicrafts are considered a promising industry after agriculture, representing Nepal’s art, culture, and heritage.

The expo will feature exhibitions and sales of handicraft products, cultural performances, demonstrations of traditional skills by local artisans, and stalls showcasing local food and traditional cuisine. Organizers expect the event to support internal tourism, strengthen district associations, increase income and employment opportunities, and connect local entrepreneurs with markets while preserving intangible cultural heritage.

Participation will include local associations from Kathmandu Valley as well as districts such as Sankhuwasabha, Makwanpur, Dang, Bajura, Taplejung, Chitwan, Bardiya, Kavrepalanchok, Kaski, Jhapa, Dhanusha, Sunsari, Dhading, Tanahun, Palpa, and Baglung. Around 70 stalls will be set up under the theme “Make in Nepal: Made in Nepal” to showcase handicrafts and other export-potential goods and services.

Entry to the expo will be free. Promotional partners include Helvetas Nepal, with Everest D Cargo Pvt. Ltd. as logistics partner, Lucky Travel as travel partner, Vijay Offset as printing partner, and Himalayan Everest Insurance as insurance partner. Supporting organizations include NMB Bank, Onepasal.com, and Hopes International Pvt. Ltd.