POKHARA, Dec 28: Pokhara is vibrant with celebratory mood among its denizens as well as visitors to welcome the forthcoming New Year. All preparations for the 19th edition of Pokhara Street Festival have been completed as the fest gears up to kick off on Thursday.
Every year, Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal (REBAN) hosts Pokhara Street Festival to bid adieu to the passing year and to welcome the coming New Year. This year too, REBAN has been busy inviting guests for the five-day festival and music is said to be the main attraction.
The street fest is one of the most prominent events held in Pokhara as it attracts domestic and foreign tourists in hoards. This year, the festival is being hosted with the slogan ‘eat, dance and have fun on the streets’. The festival will feature various cultural activities such as lok dohori programs, live musical performances and traditional art exhibition, among others.
According to President of REBAN Chau Bahadur Gurung, the festival will also have international musical bands from India, Korea, Japan and China. He added that the festival will be a destination to watch various Nepali cultural dances. A parade with Newari cultural dances such as lakhey dance and tayamacha dance will also be hosted from Khahare Chowk to Basundhara Park on the first day of the festival.
According to him, visitors can also enjoy cultural performances as part of the festival at Gaurighat, Khahare Chowk and Center Point, where school students will showcase their talent, during the evening hours. Various bands and singers including Pokhreli Band, Shadows Band, Sabin Rai, Nabin Bhattarai and Trishala Gurung are scheduled to perform on different days from 6 pm to 11 pm.
High spirits at Pokhara street festival
Manager at Nepal Tourism Board, Pokhara, Surya Thapaliya said, “This year, we have cultural performances from seven provinces and the festival spread around three kilometer area will also feature a variety of national as well as international cuisines.”
NEW YEAR EVE PARTIES
HOTEL BARAHI
Time: 7:30 pm-1 am
Attractions: Live performance by Shiva Pariyar, Mina Pokharel Niraula, Dinesh Kafle and a local b-boying group
Price: 3,500 (inclusive of a welcome drink, BBQ snacks and buffet dinner)
Hotel Pokhara Grande
Time: 7 pm-1 am
Attractions: Folk music and live performance by Rock Stereo Band
Price: Rs 2,999 (inclusive of a welcome drink, unlimited snacks, gala dinner and door prize)
MOUNT KAILASH RESORT
Time: 6 pm-1 am
Attractions: Live performance by Nepal Idol participants Ulsan Shrestha and Sandhya Joshi
Price: On request, Food: according to menu
TEMPLE TREE RESORT
Time: 7 pm-12 am
Attractions: Live performance by Black Sheep Band and a DJ session
Price: Rs 4,000 (inclusive of a welcome drink, unlimited snacks, gala dinner and door prize)
SHANGRI-LA VILLAGE RESORT
Time: 7 pm-12 am
Attractions: Live performance by Four Blacksmith Band
Price: Rs 3,000 for single, Rs 5,000 for couples (inclusive of a welcome drink, unlimited snacks, gala dinner and door prize)
ATITHI RESORT AND SPA
Time: 7 pm-12 am
Attractions: Live DJ session and cultural program
Price: On Request
BAJEKO SEKUWA
Time: 7 pm-12 am
Attractions: Live performance by Witness Band and door prize
Price: 10 percent discount on regular menu price
PARADISO SPORTS BAR AND GRILL
Time: 7 pm-2 am
Attractions: Live band music and DJ session
Price: Regular menu price
