"Happy Fagu Purnima" in Nepali is said as "फागु पूर्णिमाको शुभकामना!" (Faagu Purnimaको shubhakaamanaa!) or "शुभ फागु पूर्णिमा!" (Shubha Faagu Purniimaa!).

You can also greet with "शुभ होली!" (Shubha Holi!) which is widely understood across Nepal, especially in the Terai. A joyful wish is "तपाईंको जीवन होलीजस्तै रंगीन होस्!" (Tapaaiko jiivan Holijastai rangiin hos!) meaning "May your life be as colorful as Holi!"

To wish blessings, say "फागु पूर्णिमाले खुशी र शान्ति ल्याओस्!" (Faagu Purnimaले khushi ra shaanti lyaaos!) — "May Fagu Purnima bring joy and peace!" — a warm and heartfelt greeting shared among Nepali families and friends during this colorful festival.

Fagu Purnima falls on the full moon (Purnima) of the Nepali month of Phalgun, which corresponds to late February or late March in the Gregorian calendar. The exact date changes each year based on the lunar calendar.

Fagu Purnima is a public holiday in Nepal. It is celebrated across the country, with especially vibrant festivities in the Terai (plains) region, where it closely mirrors the Holi celebrations of northern India. In the Kathmandu Valley, the Kumari (Living Goddess) blesses the festival one day before the Purnima.

The celebration typically lasts the full day. In the evening before, the Holika Dahan bonfire is lit in communities across Nepal, symbolizing the burning away of evil. The next morning, the festivities begin with colors, music, and communal celebrations that carry on through the day.

In the Terai (plains) region of Nepal, Fagu Purnima is celebrated with great exuberance and closely follows the traditions of northern India. Celebrations are large-scale street festivities, with music, dance, and people of all ages covering each other with abir (colored powder) and spraying colored water using pichkaris. The atmosphere is electric and lively.

In the Kathmandu Valley and the hills, the celebration has its own distinct cultural character. Traditionally, the day of celebration begins one day earlier than the Terai (on Chaturdashi rather than Purnima). In Kathmandu, the Living Goddess Kumari blesses the festival, and the celebrations carry a more ceremonial and culturally Newari character in some neighborhoods, alongside the modern color-play.

Across both regions, the Holika Dahan bonfire the night before is a shared tradition. However, the overall scale and style differ significantly, with the Terai celebrations tending to be more reminiscent of Indian Holi festivities, while Kathmandu's celebrations blend ancient Newari customs with the wider national Holi tradition.

Holika Dahan (होलिका दहन) is the bonfire ritual performed on the eve of Fagu Purnima. The bonfire symbolizes the burning of the demoness Holika, who — according to Hindu mythology — tried to kill the young devotee Prahlad on the orders of the demon king Hiranyakashipu. However, Prahlad's devotion to Lord Vishnu saved him, while Holika perished in the flames.

The Holika Dahan ritual symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, and of divine devotion over arrogance and power. Communities gather around the bonfire to pray, chant, and perform rituals, throwing offerings of coconut, grains, and sacred items into the fire. The bonfire is also seen as a purification ritual, burning away negativity, ego, and the hardships of the past year.

In Nepal, Holika Dahan is observed across the country on the night before Fagu Purnima. The following morning, the colorful celebrations begin. The tradition reinforces the belief that faith, truth, and devotion will always prevail over evil forces, making Fagu Purnima not just a festival of colors but also a festival of spiritual victory and renewal.

Traditional foods of Fagu Purnima include gujiya (a sweet dumpling filled with khoya, nuts, and coconut, deep-fried and often coated in sugar syrup) — a beloved Holi sweet across Nepal and India. Sel roti, a Nepali ring-shaped sweet bread made from rice flour, is also commonly prepared and shared during the festival.

Thandai is a traditional cold drink made with milk, sugar, saffron, cardamom, pepper, and a blend of nuts and seeds — particularly popular during Holi. It is a refreshing and festive beverage shared between friends and family on this warm spring day. Dahi vada (lentil dumplings soaked in yogurt) is another popular Holi snack enjoyed especially in the Terai.

Beyond these traditional items, families also prepare and share sweets and snacks with neighbors as a gesture of goodwill, friendship, and community. The exchange of food during Fagu Purnima strengthens social bonds and is considered an integral part of the festival's spirit of joy, togetherness, and celebration.