List of All Festival in Pakistan

As you know that Pakistan has a vast variety of traditions. People of Pakistan love to go in festivals. Each year different festivals are celebrated in Pakistan. Each festival has its own importance some are important in term of joy and dance. In these festivals different food stalls are available for the refreshment of people. Music, dance and fireworks are also part of these festivals. Different Islamic and cultural festivals are celebrated in Pakistan.

Most Famous and Traditional Celebrated Festivals of Pakistan

Here is the list of festivals of Pakitsan.

1-Eid Ul Azha:

Every muslim know that Eid Ul Azha is celebrated on the 10th Zilhajj. Zilhajj is the last month of Islamic calendar. There is 3 holidays on the occasion of Eid Ul Azha. Because he was sacrificing the life of his beloved son Hazrat Ismail A.S for Allah.


Sheeps, goats, camel and cow are slaughtered in the name of Allah. Because on 10 Zilhajj prophet Hazrat Ibrahim do this action. That is why muslims repeat this Sunnah. Meat of animals is divided into three equal parts. 1st part is divided into friends and relatives. Second part is divided in to poor people. While third part is for family.


In other words we called this Eid Qurban. Eid Qurban is Sunnah of Hazrat Ibrahim A.S. People wear new clothes on this occasion. They visit the homes of friends.

2- Shabe Barat:

Shabe Barat is also our islamic festival that is celebrated between night of 14 and 15 shabaan. Fate and fortunes of people are decided on this holy night. Nawafils and different prayers are offered on this night. People ask for forgiveness on this night. This night is aslo remembered as night of forgiveness. Different food items are distributed on this night. Specially halwa is distributed on this night in mosques and streets. Shab e Barat is also famous for fire crackers.

3- Mela Chiragan:

Mela Chiragan is also called light festival. It’s total duration is 3 days. It is celebrated in the memory of death of Sufi Shah Hussain. Shah Hussain was a famous Sufi saint and poet who preached Islam in Lahore. Shrine of Shah Hussain is situated in Lahore. Other name of this poet was Madho Laal Hussain. This name was given on the name of Hindus follower.


This festival is celebrated in the Baghbaan Pura. This festival is celebrated with live music and folk dance. Dhamaal is also performed in the front of pilgrims. This festival is considered as one of the oldest festival of sub continent. Before 1958 it was celebrated in Shalimar Garden. After 1958 it was celebrated in near shrine of Shah Hussain which is situated in Baghbaan Pura Lahore. Mela Chiragan is celebrated in the last week of March.

4- Silk Route Festival:

It is one of the amazing cultural festival of Pakitsan. It is traditional festival. Natural beauty and crafts are displayed on this occasion. Definitely you have a unique experience after visiting this festival.
This festival is celebrated on the highest mountains of country. You will enjoy tall peaks, heavy glaciers and natural beauty. You will also enjoy fruits of valley. Basically it is an international festival that is celebrated in different countries. Each country celebrate this festival in different seasons. People of Gilgit Baltistan celebrated this festival in the month of September and October. It is also known as inspiring festival.


There is exotic bazar in this festival. There is sperate event of folk music. Polo matches and other matches are conducted on the eve of this festival. There is also ethnic fashion show on the eve of this festival.

5- Shandur Polo Festival:

This festival is celebrated on the highest polo ground of world. This ground is situated on the Babuser top that is the highest ground. Polo teams of Gilgit Baltistan play polo match. This ground is totally green and it’s remains first choice of tourist for camping specially in summer season. Shandur Polo Festival is celebrated in the month of August. Thousands of people visit this place and enjoy this festival. People from all over the Pakitsan visit this place. Tourism department of Gilgit Baltistan organize this festival.


There is competition between different tribes of Gilgit Baltistan and Chitral. First both tribes meet at Shandur pass and then play polo match. Polo is the favorite game of people of Gilgit Baltistan.

6- Lok Virsa Festival:

Lok festival is considered as one of the best and largest festival of Pakitsan. It is traditional festival of Pakitsan. Lok Virsa traditional festival is celebrated in month of October. From last two decades this festival attracts thousands of international tourist. Performers from 20 different countries performed in this festival.


People of Pakitsan wear different traditional dresses on the eve of this festival. They represents there culture in the capital city Islamabad. Duration of this festival is 10 days. This festival is celebrated in Lok Virsa building. There is musical nights. Where singers from all over Pakitsan performed. Different dance performance are showed. There is separate shooting of this festival which is preserved for later part of life to alive our traditions. Different folk cultures are presented in this festival. Chadarposhi and dastarbandhi is also part of this festival. Dastarbandhi and chadarposhi is the part of opening ceremony of this festival.

7- Independence Day:

Independence day has great importance in the life of every nation. Those nations which doesn’t celebrate there Independence day they are considered as dead nation. Being a Pakitsani nation it is our duty to celebrate the independence day with great zeal and enthusiasm.
People decorate there homes with the Pakitsani flags. Some people attend the parade cermony. Some people decorate there vehicles and bikes. Many people join independence day rally. Some people were green dresses. Children make a tattoo of Pakitsani flags on their faces.
Different brands offers sale on different items. They called it independence day sale. All government and private buildings are decorated with flags and lights.

8- Jashn e Nauroz:

Jashn e Nouroz is also cultural festival of Pakitsan. This festival is celebrated on 21st, 22nd and 23rd March. Nauroz is the festival of China and Iran. It is same as festival of Nauroz in Afghanistan and China. In different cities of Pakitsan it is celebrated as socio religious festival of Pakitsan. On this occasion there is match of volleyball in different villages. In Baltistan there is Polo match on this occasion. Eggs are also distributed among people on this occasion. While in Balochistan different outdoor activities are performed. There is traditional musical events in the Balochistan on the eve of this festival. Basically this festival is originated before the speration of India and Pakitsan. Women, men and children wear new dresses on this occasion. Special prayers are offered in different mosques for the prosperity of Pakitsan. In Pakistan people start there agricultural activities on the eve of this occasion.

9- Sibi Festival

As name indicated that Sibi Mela will be celebrated in Sibi. Sibi is the city of Balochistan. This Mela is celebrated for last several centuries. Now a days this Mela is famous for animal race and folk dance. Local handicrafts are also displayed in the mela. People sale local handicrafts in this festival.
This festival is celebrated in last week of February. Total duration of this festival is 5 days. Rich culture of Balochistan is displayed in this festival.
But only Pakitsani are allowed to attend this festival because foreigners are banned in this festival. Dates of this festival is announced in newspapers.

10- Eid Ul Fitar

Eid Ul Fitar is the our Islamic festival that is celebrated on 1st Shiwaal. This festival is gift from God because of Ramadan. This festival remains for three days. There is 3 holidays on this festival. After offering Eid prayers families and friends gathers at houses and eat different food items. They offered sweets and halwa.
Fitrana is specific amount of money that is distributed among poor.

11- Jashn e Larkana

Jashn e Larkana is celebrated in Larkana city. It is celebrated in the last week of february. There is competition of different traditional sports. There is folk music and dance performance. Handicrafts are displayed in the exhibition. People of Sindh are very hospitable and they welcomes everyone to join the Jashn e Larkana.

12- Basant

Basant represents the arrival of spring in Pakistan. In the mid of february basant is celebrated in the Lahore city. It is also called spring festival of Pakitsan.
Basically, kite flying is not an event of muslims. It is an event of Hindus. This sports has origin from China. This sports is 5000 years old.


This festival is considered as source of joy and pleasure for all ages. As you know that Muslims and Hindus lived together that is why this event enters in the traditions of Muslims. But actually this festival has zero relation with Muslims but this festival is celebrated in big cities of Pakitsan with full zeal and enthusiasm.

13- Pakitsan Day

As you know that 23rd March is declared as Pakitsan Day. This day is celebrated in the memory of Pakitsan resolution. Pakitsan resolution was passed on 23rd March 1940. Being a Pakitsani it is our utmost duty to celebrate our national days. On 23rd March parade is performed in the parade ground. Pilots of Pakitsan Air Force amuse the audience by making different signs with aeroplane. Flag changing cermony is also takes place on different government and private institutions.

14- Horse and Cattle Show

Horse and Cattle show is celebrated in the last week of March and ends on 1st week of April. This show is the combination of different things. Folk music and folk dance is also part of this show. Animal race is also favorite part of this show. Local handicrafts are also displayed for sale in this show.

15- Jashn e Shikarpur

Jashn e Shikarpur is celebrated for only one week in month of April. This festival is celebrated in Shikarpur Sindh. Culture of Sindh is showed in this festival. People welcomes everyone to this festival.

16- Karakoram Car Rally

Karakoram Car Rally is organized in the Hunza Valley. Basically it is only celebrated on the closing ceremony of rally. Because shields and certificates are distributed among the participants of rally. In 2001 this rally was planned but in 2001 it was postponed and was organized in next year 2002. From 2002 to 2021 it is celebrated continuously. This car rally is organized on month of November.

17- Lok Mela

Lok Mela is celebrated in the capital city Islamabad. Its total duration is 1 week and is celebrated in the first week of October. Different folks music, folk dance and folk cultures are showed to the audience. There is combination of all things at one place. If someone wants to see the folk at one place then visit this Lok Mela in Islamabad.

18- Eid Milad Ul Nabi

As you know that there is huge respect present in the heart of all muslims for our last prophet Hazrat Muhammad P.B.U.H. Eid Milad Ul Nabi is celebrated in the memory of birthday of our last prophet Hazrat Muhammad P.B.U.H. There is holiday on this occasion. There is Milad in whole Pakitsan. Ashiq rasool S.A.W read naat and there is jaloos in the streets of all cities and villages. Buildings are decorated with lights and banners. On banners different lines are written which shows the love with Hazrat Muhammad S.A.W.


All government and private buildings are decorated with lights and banners.

19- Allam Iqbal Day

As you know that Allam Iqbal is our national poet. We celebrate Iqbal Day on the birthday of Allama Iqbal. Allama Iqbal was born on 9 November 1877. There is no holiday on this day. But in schools, colleges and universities different competition are organized in the memory of Iqbal. Speech competition and quiz competition are also organized in the memory of Allama Iqbal.

20- Joshi

Joshi is the festival of spring. It welcomes the spring season. It is one of the traditional festival. This festival welcomes the spring with music and dance. If you want to visit this festival then you are welcomed. There is no restrictions for foreigners. Everyone is welcomed to join this spring festival. It is also called ChilimJhust. This festival is celebrated in Kalaash Valley. There is tradition of exchange of dishes.

21- Utchal

Utchal is the festival of KPK. That is celebrated in the beautiful valley Kalaash. People of Kalaash celebrated this festival with full zeal and enthusiasm. Basically it is harvest festival that is celebrated on 15 and 16 July.

22- Defence Day

Defense day is celebrated on 6th September. This day is celebrated in the memory of brave people of Pakitsan Army, Pakitsan Navy and Pakitsan Air Force. There is speech competition organized in different schools, colleges and universities.

23- Lal Shabaz Qalandar Urs

In sub continent there is huge touch of sufism. Islam enters in sub continent because of efforts of suffis. There is huge respect for suffi present in the heart of people of sub continent. Urs of Hazrat Lal Shabaz Qalandar is one of the biggest and fantastic urs of Pakitsan. Round about 1 million pilgrims visit the shrine of Hazrat Lal Shabaz Qalandar and pay tribute to the efforts of Lal Shabaz Qalandar in the form of Dhamaal.


This URS is celebrated in the holy shrine of Hazrat Lal Shabaz Qalandar located in the Shewan Sindh. This URS is celebrated every year. Different malangs performed Dhamaal and Qawaali in the front of pilgrims. This is 3 day festival where different kinds of singing is seen. If you are going to join this URS then book a hotel in advance because there is rush of pilgrims. As you know that temperature of Sindh is quite high that is why it is necessary for you to choose a good accomodation.

24- Data Darbar Urs

Data Darbar Urs is also listed in the category of islamic festivals of Pakitsan. This URS is celebrated in the memory of death of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhs. He was the religious scholar of 11th century. Shrine of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhs is located in the heart of Lahore. Data Darbar is scared place in Lahore. More than 1 million pilgrims visit the holy shrine of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhs each year. Many pilgrims stay in the ground of the shrine. They offered nawafils and listen Qawaali in the ground of shrine. There is separate entrance and place for men and women. Different malangs are performing Qawaali in the shrine of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhs. It is celebrated between 18th and 20th Safar.

25- Holi

Holi is the religious festival of Hindus community. As you know that Hindu community is the part of Pakitsan. According to the constitution of Pakistan every nom muslim can do his prayer without any hurdle. So Holi festival is celebrated in Pakistan among Hindu community. This festival is known as color festival. Playing with colors, dance and bone fire are important part of this festival. Killing a devil and protect yourself from evil is also part of this festival. Effigy of Holika is made and then burn in large quantity of fire. That is considered as symbolic demonstration of killing evils from there life. Hindu community celebrate this festival with full zeal and enthusiasm.

26- Christmas

Christmas is the religious festival of christian community. Each year 25th December is celebrated as Christmas. There is public holiday on this day. Christian community wears new dresses and distribute gifts among friends and family members.
There is rush in church. There is sale on different shopping malls. Christian community distributed cakes.

27- Ashura

Ashura is the Islamic festival. It is celebrated in the memory of Hazrat Imam Hussain R.A. On this day Hazrat Imam Hussain was martyred in Karbala along family members and friends. There is public holiday on this day. 10th Muharam is called Ashura. Muslims wear black dresses to show sympathy with Imam Hussain R.A. Taboots are also displayed on different places.

28- Chelum

Chelum of Hazrat Hussain R.A is celebrated right after the 40 days of Asura. It is celebrated on 20th Safar. There is same practice of Chelum as Asura. Chelum has great importance. Symbolic coffins of Imam Hussain R.A is also displayed on different places. There is holiday in big cities because of rush. Muslims carry flags with them . Muslims also arrange free stalls for others. Sweet rice, pulao, biriyani and cold water is distributed among the people.

29- Phool

Phool festival is celebrated between 20 September to 25 September each year. There is tradition of exchanging different gifts. This festival is celebrated in Kalaash Valley that is near Swat.

30- Air Force Day

Air Force Day is celebrated on 7 September. On this day Pakitsan Air Force display latest aircraft in different cities. In Sargodha, Quetta and Karachi this day is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm.

31- Chowmas

This festival is celebrated on 18 October and ends on 21 October. This festival is celebrated in Kalaash Valley that is nearby Swat. This festival is celebrated for the welcoming of winter. After first snow fall they celebrated this festival. But after this all activities are restricted to the home. There is no outdoor activities.

32- Mela Girot

Mela Girot is the traditional festival of Punjab. That is celebrated in the first week of July. Chadarposhi is also done on the tomb of Hazrat Baba Jamali. This festival is the combination of different events. There is a popular game named kabbadi. Kabbadi is played between two famous teams. Match of volleyball is also part of this event. Different stalls are available on this festival.

Conclusion:

In this informative article I discussed about list of festivals in Pakistan. I discussed those festivals in simple language. For any suggestion you can do comment in comment box.

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