LONDON:- On the first day of the English New Year 2026, the Nepali community living in London celebrated ‘National Hat Day’ in a grand manner with the aim of reflecting their original identity.

A special event was organized on Hounslow High Street in West London with the aim of promoting Nepali culture, identity, and pride on a global scale. Participants gathered near the Nepali-run Kathmandu Zone restaurant on Hounslow High Street at 11 am and took a cultural walk to Lambton Park.

Participants in the trek raised slogans such as ‘Nepali identity, our pride’ and ‘Cultural trek and Nepali solidarity’. The large presence of Nepalis wearing hats and carrying Nepali flags from Dhaka and Bhadgaon added a distinct Nepali vibe to the streets of London. Nepali women also enthusiastically participated in the event wearing Dhaka hats.

Program coordinator Kamal Kandel said that this day is celebrated to connect the new generation with Nepali culture and enhance national spirit, even while living abroad. He said, “Our hat is our pride. “It is a matter of pride to remember our original identity with the start of the English New Year.” Therefore, he explained that this event was organized as a fusion of New Year and Hat Day.

Kandel informed that other traditional festivals will also be celebrated collectively in the coming days, and mentioned that the goal is to bring the Nepali community together again to celebrate the Fagu festival, especially on the upcoming Fagu Purnima.

‘National Topi Day’, which has been officially celebrated since 2070 BS, is becoming popular among the Nepali community scattered around the world.  The Nepali cap, which has an interdependent relationship with Nepal’s history, politics, and diplomacy, is considered a symbol of unity.

Participants said that this event held in London has further deepened the sense of unity and cultural awareness among Nepalis living in the UK. Apart from London, there have been reports of Nepalis celebrating Topi Day along with the English New Year in various other places in the UK.