Islamabad Local Events

Festivals in Pakistan:

Fairs and festivals are celebrated everywhere in the world with great cultural and historical backgrounds, sometimes to celebrate a special event or seasonal change. We have celebrated some of the events through out the year.

• Sibi Festival ( Last Week of February):This fair, held in the small but historic town of Sibi. It lies 163 Kms-3 hrs drive to the south east of Quetta at the mouth of the famous "Bolan Pass". The salient features of this "Mela" are horse and cattle and cultural shows, tent pegging, camel races. Animal markets and exhibitions of handicrafts, tribal dresses and folk dances. The Sibi Mela provided a greater opportunity for people to get together and the increasing items of games and events enhance the interest of the common masses into the festivals of Sibi. The cooperation of the people of the adjoining areas in the sale and purchase of cattle's was also vitally important in its organization.
• Horse and Cattle show ( First Week of March):The show has been described as an eloquent expression of Pakistan's heritage and an authentic account of its agricultural and industrial achievement's. It is held in Lahore Fortress stadium at the end of February or at First week of March. The fortress stadium, the venue of the show is thronged by active participants, foreign visitors and peoples who watch the festival with great passion, verve and aplomb. Folk dances, Local games, cattle races and exhibition of Local Handicrafts.
• Pakistan Day (23^rd March):The day celebrated on 23^rd March, commemorates the anniversary of Pakistan Resolution passed by the Muslims of South Asia on March 23^rd 1940.  Military Parade is the main attraction for the people in the capital city, Islamabad.
• Mela Chiraghan(Last Week of March):Mela Chiraghan or Mela Shalamar is a three day annual festival to mark the death anniversary of the Punjabi Sufi Poet and Saint Shah Hussain. It takes place in Baghbanpura on the outskirts of Lahore, adjacent to the Shalimar Garden.Nearly half a million people from every corner of Pakistan and every religion come to attend this colorful festive. The festivities and handcrafts reflect the folklore and traditional rituals of Punjabi mystics and culture. Whirling dervishes dance to the tunes of drums and recite Kafis written by Shah Hussain. People dance and celebrate throughout the night.
• Kalash Valley Festival(Mid of May):  Kalash Valley lies in the south district of Chitral. The area consist of three valleys Birir, Bamburet and Rambur. The Kalash are ancient tribe and their culture is unique as well as astonishing one.They are in famous for their dancing where elders chant legends with drum accessory and women dance round outside.
• Independence Day(August):14^th August, the Independence day of Pakistan is celebrated all over the country with flag raising ceremonies, tributes to the national heroes and fireworks taking place in the capital city, Islamabad.
• Birth Anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam (Founder of Pakistan)(December)25^th December, the birth anniversary of our founder Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The day is marked with special events and festivities in all major cities.
• Eid-ul-Fitr:The religious festival celebrated at the end of fasting month on 1^st of Shawwal, the 10^th month of Islamic Calendar. Eid is also known for its "Chaand Raat", the moon sighting a day prior to the event. People buying gifts, women and young girls decorating their hands with henna and bangles. On Eid day the Eid prayer are offered after sunrise.
• Eid-ul-AzhaThe religious festival remembering the great sacrifice offered by Prophet Ibrahim celebrated on 10^th Zilhaj,12^th month of Islamic calendar.Eid prayer is offered after sunset. Sacrifice of goats,cows,camel and sheep is carried out for distribution among needy and relatives.
• Eid Milad-un-Nabi:   Milad-un-Nabi is the birthday celebration of our beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) on 12^th Rabi-ul-Awwal , the third month of Islamic calendar and is celebrated by Muslims as Eid-e-Milad. The celebrations go on for the first twelve days of the month and there are conferences and gatherings every day.
• Lok Virsa Festival:   Lok Virsa Folk Festival is the largest cultural activity in Pakistan that has been held annually for the last 20 years. In Lok Virsa you will see Pakistan's traditionally rich culture at its finest where performers gather from every corner of Pakistan.The festival was aimed at projecting the rich traditional heritage of Pakistan along side showing solidarity with other provinces and promoting their native arts, culture, traditional cuisine and folk music.