Pakistan

New Year's Day

January 1 marks the beginning of the official New Year in Pakistan and is celebrated throughout the country as New Year's Day.

Shab e-Meraj

Isra and Mi'raj (Isra Me'raj, Israa and Mi'raaj, Laylat Al-Isra wa Al-Miraj, Lailat al Miraj, Night Journey and Ascension to Heaven) marks the night that the Prophet Mohammad traveled from Mecca to Jerusalem, ascended to heaven and returned.

Basant Panchami

Basant Panchami is a Hindu spring festival honoring the goddess Saraswati, celebrated with kite-flying traditions in Pakistan.

Shab e-Barat

Shab e-Barat (Night of Fortune) is observed on the 15th of Sha'ban, when Muslims seek forgiveness and pray for the deceased.

Kashmir Day

Kashmir Solidarity Day is annually observed in Pakistan on February 5 to express solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It also honors the sacrifices made for Kashmir's liberation.

Shivaratri

Shivaratri (the Great Night of Shiva) is a Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, observed with fasting, prayer, and night-long vigils.

Ramadan Start

Ramadan is a period of prayer, reflection and fasting for many Muslims worldwide. It is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar.

Dulhandi

Dulhandi is the second day of the Holi festival, celebrated by throwing colored powders and water in joyful festivities.

Holi

Holi is a spring festival of colors celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and others. It celebrates the triumph of good over evil and the upcoming season of spring. The festival can last up to sixteen days.

March Equinox

March Equinox in Pakistan (Karachi)

Eid-ul-Fitr

Eid al-Fitr is a holiday to mark the end of the Islamic month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast during the hours of daylight.

Eid-ul-Fitr Holiday

Eid-ul-Fitr Holiday is the second day of the three-day Eid al-Fitr celebration marking the end of Ramadan in Pakistan.

Pakistan Day

Pakistan Day is annually celebrated on March 23 to commemorate the Lahore Resolution and to celebrate the adoption of Pakistan's first constitution.

Eid-ul-Fitr Holiday

Eid-ul-Fitr Holiday is the third day of the three-day Eid al-Fitr celebration marking the end of Ramadan in Pakistan.

Birthday of Lord Zoroaster (Khordad Sal)

Khordad Sal marks the birth anniversary of Prophet Zoroaster, the founder of Zoroastrianism, celebrated by the Parsi community in Pakistan.

Good Friday

Good Friday is a global Christian observance two days before Easter Sunday.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ's resurrection, according to Christian belief.

Easter Monday

Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday.

Baisakhi

Baisakhi (Vaisakhi) marks the Sikh New Year and the founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699, celebrated with prayers, processions, and festivities.

Ridván

Ridvan is a twelve-day Baha'i festival commemorating the declaration of Baha'u'llah as the promised one of all religions.

Labour Day

Labor Day (Labour Day or May Day) is observed in Pakistan on May 1 each year to pay tribute to workers' sacrifices in achieving economic and social rights.

Buddha Purnima

Buddha Purnima commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha, observed on the full moon day of Vesak.

Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha (Id ul-Adha) is an Islamic festival falling on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja (Thou al-Hijja) to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son.

Eid al-Adha Holiday

Eid al-Adha Holiday is the second day of the Eid al-Adha celebration, during which families continue the traditions of sacrifice, feasting, and charity.

Youm-i-Takbeer

Youm-i-Takbeer commemorates Pakistan's nuclear tests conducted on May 28, 1998, celebrating the country's emergence as a nuclear power.

Eid al-Adha Holiday

Eid al-Adha Holiday is the third day of the Eid al-Adha celebration in Pakistan, completing the three-day public holiday period.

June Solstice

June Solstice in Pakistan (Karachi)

Ashura

Ashura commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain at the Battle of Karbala, observed on the 10th of Muharram with mourning processions and gatherings.

Ashura Holiday

Ashura Holiday is the second day of the Ashuran observance (9th Muharram), a period of mourning and remembrance in Pakistan.

July 1 Bank Holiday

July 1 Bank Holiday marks the start of the fiscal year in Pakistan, during which banks and financial institutions are closed.

Chelum

Chelum (Arbaeen) marks the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain at Karbala, observed with mourning processions by Shia Muslims.

Independence Day

Pakistan celebrates its Independence Day on August 14. This day marks Pakistan's emergence as an independent state.

Nauroz

Nauroz marks the Islamic New Year, the first day of Muharram, observed by reflection on the year past and the significance of Hijra.

Eid Milad un-Nabi

Eid Milad-un-Nabi (festival of the Prophet Muhammad's birth) is observed with religious reverence in Pakistan.

Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival that is celebrated on the full moon of the Hindu month of Shravana (Shravan Poornima). The day is also sometimes referred to as Brother and Sister Day because it honors the relationship between brother and sister.

Janmashtami

Krishna Janmashtami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth incarnation of the god Vishnu. It is celebrated on the eighth day of the Hindu month of Bhadrava (Bhadrapada), which is usually in August or September.

Defence Day

Defence Day commemorates the 1965 war between Pakistan and India, honoring the sacrifices of Pakistan's armed forces on September 6.

Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is the great Ganesha festival that celebrates the birthday of Lord Ganesha during the Hindu Month of Bhadra, which usually falls between mid-August and mid-September. It is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi and can last up to 10 days.

Giarhwin Sharief

Giarhwin Sharief (Gyarvi Sharif) is observed on the 11th of each Islamic month in honor of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani, with special prayers and charity.

September Equinox

September Equinox in Pakistan (Karachi)

Durga Puja

Durga Puja is a Hindu festival celebrating the goddess Durga's victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.

Dussehra

Dussehra (Vijayadashami) celebrates Lord Rama's victory over the demon king Ravana, marking the triumph of good over evil.

Birthday of Guru Balmik Sawami Ji

The birthday of Guru Balmik Sawami Ji (Maharishi Valmiki) honors the author of the Ramayana, celebrated by the Hindu community in Pakistan.

Diwali/Deepavali

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most popular Hindu festivals.

Iqbal Day

Iqbal Day marks the birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Pakistan's national poet and philosopher who envisioned the creation of Pakistan.

Guru Nanak's Birthday

Guru Nanak's Birthday (Gurpurab) celebrates the birth of the founder of Sikhism, observed with prayers, processions, and community meals (langar).

December Solstice

December Solstice in Pakistan (Karachi)

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is the day before Christmas Day and falls on December 24 in the Gregorian calendar.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day is one of the biggest Christian celebrations and falls on December 25 in the Gregorian calendar.

Quaid-e-Azam Day

Quaid-e-Azam Day celebrates the birth anniversary of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, on December 25.

Day After Christmas (Christians only)

The Day After Christmas (Boxing Day) is observed by the Christian community in Pakistan as a continuation of Christmas celebrations.

New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve is the last day of the year, December 31, in the Gregorian calendar.