Festivals and Holidays of Pakistan

Pakistan's calendar features a great many Muslim religious festivals Others are in memory of national Heroes or commemorate political events in the nation's recants history. Muslim festivals are celebrated according to Muslim (Lunar) Calendar and may accur some 10 days earlier each successive Christian year. There are several folk festivals held regularly in every part of the country. Exact dates of such festivals held regularly in every part of the country. Exact dates of such festivals folk are fixed annually by the District Administration of the respective area, at least 02 month in advance, Pakistan's main festivals are listed below;

1. Shab-e-Barat:
Religious festival celebrated end of 14th of shaaban, the 8th Islamic mouth. Prayers, exchange of sweet dishes and visits.

2. Eid-ul-Fitr:
Religious festival celebration end of fasting mouth on 1st of Shawwal, the 10th mouth of Isalmic Calendar. Special,Prayers after sun-rise, exchange of sweet dishes, visites.

3. Sibi Festival:
At sibi (Balochistan) Traditional sports, handcraft exhibition, folk music and dances.

4. Jashan-e-Larkana::
At larkana (sindh). Traditional sports, exhibition of handicrafts. flok music and dances

5. Sindhi Horse & Cattle Show:
At Jacobabad (sindh). Similar activities as in Sibi Festival.

6. Nauroze.
Celebrated in Baltistan, Gilgit, Hunza,Chitral and other cites, Polo, footbal, volley-ball, hockey matches folk dances and muslic.

7. Pakistan Day.
Commemorating the anniversary of Pakistan Resolution passed on 23,1940. Military parade at provincial capitals and Islamabad.

8. Horse & Cattle Show.
At Dear Ismail Khan. Local games, folk dances, music, cattle races and exhibition of local handcrafts.

9. Mela Chiraghan (festival of lamps)
Held for 01 week outside Shalimar Gardens. Lahore

10. Jashan-e-Shikarpur.
At Shikarpur, Sindh. Local games, folk dances, music cattle races and exhibition of local handcrafts.

11. Eid-ul-Azha.
Religious festival commemorating the great sacrifice offered by prophet Abrabham. Celebrated on 10 Zilhaj, 12th month of Islamic Calendar. Collective prayers after sun set, sacrifice of goats, sheep, cows or camels and distribution of meat among relatives, friends and poor.

12. Joshi or Cilimjusht.
kalash festival of welcoming spring, held in Kalash Valleys near Chitral. Folk dances, music and exchange of dishes.

13. Shandur Polo Tournament.
At Shandur Pass near Chitral, on the highest polo ground in the world Polo matches, folk music and dance

14. Utchal.
A harvest festival, celebration by Kalash people in Kalash Valleys, Chitral.

15. Eid-e-Mailad-un-Nabi.
(Birthday of Prophet Harzart Mohammad p.b.u.h. on 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal - the 3rd mouth of Islamic Calendar.

16. Independence Day.
Meeting, Processions, rellies, decorations and illustrations all over the country.

17. Trans-Pakistan Motor Rally
PTDC in cooperation with M/s Awan Automobile Association, is organizing a Trans-Pakistan Motor Rally from Karachi (the lowest point - o m) to Kunjerab Pass (the higest point - 4733 m above sea level).

18. Defense of Pakistan Days.
Parades and exhibition of military equipment at Rawalpindi, Lohare, Peshawar, Quetta and Karachi. Visits to the war memorials. (No national holiday except Armed Forces)

19. Airforce Day.
Display of latest aircraft of Pakistan Air force and sor shows at Rawalipindi, Sargodha, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta.

20. Phool.
Held in Kalash Valleys near Chitral. Reaping grapes and walnuts, dancing and singing.

21. Lok Mela.
Folk Festival held at Islamabad. Folk Music, songs, music contests, folk dances, craftsmen at work, exhibition and sale of handicrafts. The festival presents a unique opportunity to watch the culture and craft of the whole country at one place.

22. Chowmas.
Held in Kalash Valleys near Chitral. Welcoming of winter with first snow-fall. Activities restrict to indoor.

23. Birthday of Allama Mohammad Iqbal,
The national poet

24. National Industrial Exhibition Lahore.
Held at Fortress Stadium, Exhibition and sale of industrial products and handicrafts of Pakistan.

25. National Horse & Cattle Show Lahore.
Held at Fortress Stadium, Lahore Cattle races, cattle dances, tent pegging, tattoo show, folk music, dances, banks, cultural floats and folk games.

26. Christmas and Birthday of Quaid-e-Azam
National Holiday