Dashain 2026 in Canada: Tika Date, Key Days and Nepali Community Celebrations

Vijaya Dashami falls on Wednesday, October 21 for Canada's Nepali community. Here is the complete Canada Dashain guide — dates, celebrations, and what to expect

By Nepalese Events Australia Editorial

Published: 2026-10-01T02:30:00.000000Z

Category: Festivals

Canada's Nepali community is heading into its biggest fortnight of the year. Vijaya Dashami — the main tika day — falls on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, closing out a festival cycle that begins with Ghatasthapana on October 11.

Canada Dashain 2026 key dates

• Ghatasthapana: Saturday, October 11
• Fulpati: Friday, October 17
• Maha Ashtami: Sunday, October 18
• Maha Navami: Tuesday, October 20
• Vijaya Dashami / Tika: Wednesday, October 21
• Kojagrat Purnima: Sunday, October 25

The dates follow the published 2083 Bikram Sambat holiday calendar — though because Canada spans six time zones, the exact tika muhurat can shift slightly between Toronto and Vancouver, so confirm with your local association or pandit for the precise auspicious hour. For coordinating blessings with family back home, the Nepal–Toronto time converter handles the roughly 9-hour-45-minute gap.

Where the community celebrates

Toronto/GTA: The largest concentration — community programmes run through the established associations in Toronto, Brampton, Scarborough and Mississauga, plus ticketed celebrations like the Thamel Night Dashain Edition on October 16.
Niagara: The regional community has its Dashain celebration scheduled for October 17.
Ottawa: The community already marked the season with its October 11 Dashain-Tihar celebration.
Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Surrey: Community halls and association gatherings run through the tika week — most mid-week ceremonies happen at home before work, with the weekend events carrying the social weight.

The sporting Dashain

Dashain isn't just tika and feasts — it's also the community's sporting season. September already saw the 5th Dashain Cup bring ten Nepali-Canadian football clubs to Brampton, with Gorkhali FC and Bramsauga United 'B' taking the two titles.

A more sombre season

This year's festival carries a quieter undertone: several communities cancelled their Teej celebrations after the devastating Nepal floods, and many families are sending relief money alongside dakshina. For those wiring funds home, our CAD–NPR exchange rate page s the daily rate. Check the Nepali festival calendar for the Nepal-side tithi dates, and watch the Canada news section for new celebration announcements as organisers publish them.

Read more Nepali community news and stories. Browse upcoming Nepali events across Australia.

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