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 recent history. Muslim festivals are celebrated according to Muslim (Lunar) Calendar and may occur 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 are fixed annually by the District Administration of the respective area, at least 01 month in advance. Pakistan’s main festivals are listed below:

Shab-e-Barat:  31 October.
Religious festival celebrated on 14th of Shaaban, the 8th Islamic month. Prayers, fire-works, exchange of sweet dishes and visits to relatives and friends.

Eid-ul-Fitr:  15 December.
Religious festival celebrating end of fasting month on 1st of Shawwal, the 10th month of Islamic Calendar Special prayer after sun-rise, exchange of sweet dishes, visits.

Pakistan Day:  March 23.
Commemorating the anniversary of Pakistan Resolution passed by the Muslims of South Asia on March 23, 1940. Military parade are held at Lahore Peshawar, Quetta and Karachi. Main feature is the grand parade at Islamabad.

Mela Chiraghan:  Last Week of March.
(Festival of lamps) Held for 01 week outside Shalimar Garden, Lahore.

Horse & Cattle Show:  End of March till 1st week of April.
At Dera Ismail Khan. Local games, folk dances, music, cattles races and exhibition of local handicrafts.

Eid-ul-Azha:  March 6-7.
Religious festival commemorating the great sacrifice offered by Prophet Ibrahim. Celebrated on 10 Zilhaj, 06-07 April 2001 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.

May Day:  May 1.
Rallies, processions and meetings held throughout the country.

Ashura:  April 9-10.
Two days mourning on the death anniversary Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H.) 09-10 April 2001 on 9th and 10th of Moharram, the first month of Islamic Calendar Processions, rallies and meeting (music prohibited).

Eid-e-Miland-un-Nabi:  June 4.
Birthday of Prophet Hazrat Mohammad, (P.B.U.H.) on 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal - the 3rd of month of Islamic Calendar.

Independence day:  August 14.
Meeting, processions, rallies, decorations and 14 August illustrations all over the country.