Events in Lahore
Basant
February
This traditional Punjabi festival heralds in spring. In Lahore, Basant is enthusiastically celebrated with kite-flying competitions held across the city. Lahore's youth take to the rooftops and fight it out in dazzling aerial displays. The best place to head to view the sky action is the walled city area downtown.
Festival of Lights
March
Also known as the Mela Chiraghan, this three-day festival commemorates the death of the Sufi poet Shah Hussein. It takes place at his tomb, near the city's Shalimar Gardens.
Vaisakhi
April
This Sikh festival celebrates the annual harvest. Thousands of Sikhs visit Lahore and the surrounding region during this time to pay their respects at the temples.
World Performing Arts Festival
November
This 10-day event brings a wealth of theatre productions and concerts to the city, all staged at the Alhambra Cultural Complex. The programme varies from child-friendly puppet shows to musical shows, drama and dance, and attracts a whole host of big-name international theatre companies.
National Horse and Cattle Show
November
It might not sound promising but this agriculture show has plenty of cultural activities, with cattle races, traditional horse and cattle dances, polo games, vaudeville performances, folk games and live Punjabi music. It's held over five days at Fortress Stadium.