On Saturday, June 6, 2026, Nepal Day returned to Memorial Park in Fair Lawn for its second year, drawing Nepali Americans from across New Jersey and New York for an afternoon of culture, food and community.
Fair Lawn proclaims Nepal Day
Fair Lawn Mayor Cristina Cutrone officially proclaimed June 6, 2026, as Nepal Day in the borough and inaugurated the festival, calling it “a wonderful opportunity to recognize the rich culture, traditions, and contributions” of the Nepali community in town. Dadhiram Bhandari, Consul General of Nepal in New York, joined as chief guest and lit a traditional panas (a ceremonial brass oil lamp) to open the day. Deputy Mayor Josh Reinitz also attended.
Built by the community
Nepal Day 2026 was organized by Nepal Day New Jersey, in collaboration with the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) USA and the Consulate General of Nepal in New York. ARC for Nepal founder Rajendra Shrestha, part of the founding team that started Nepal Day in 2025, served as president of the organizing committee, with Sanjeev Shrestha as convenor.
Rajendra said the organizers plan to grow the festival in the years ahead, and encouraged the community to keep supporting cultural initiatives wherever they live.
On stage and around the park
Young performers presented traditional dances from Nepal’s many communities. One artist performed the Manjushree dance, a sacred Newar Buddhist dance depicting the deity of wisdom. The day closed with a cultural program and live music from Nepali artists James Pradhan and Krishna Kafle. Around the park, stalls offered Nepali food, traditional clothing and crafts, and families came dressed in traditional attire, waving Nepali and American flags.
Looking ahead
Two years in, Nepal Day has become a fixture for the Nepali community in New Jersey and a way to share our culture with our neighbors in Fair Lawn.
Photos: Rajan Kafle/NepYork. Event coverage: NepYork.
Read about the first Nepal Day in 2025 · See all Nepal Day stories →
