Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has officially declared a Basant Holiday in Punjab and has declared a provincial holiday on February 6, 2026. This is a news that citizens are happy to hear as it is a four day long weekend throughout all of the province.
The move is historic considering that the kite-flying festival that was a common tradition in Lahore was banned 18 years earlier.
Basant Holiday 2026 Schedule
CM Maryam Nawaz posted on X (previously Twitter) that it was planned and citizens should take this time to relax and rejuvenate. The scenery of the holiday is as follows:
Thursday, 5th February: Kashmir Day (National Holiday)
Friday, 6th Feb: Basant Holiday (Provincial Holiday)
Saturday, Feb 7: Weekend
Sunday, Feb 8: Weekend
Punjab will enjoy a long weekend with Kashmir Day on February 5, a provincial Basant holiday on the 6th, followed by Saturday and Sunday.
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) February 1, 2026
We hope people across Punjab take this time to relax, recharge, and make the most of the break 🫶🏻
Basant Festival Returns After 18 Years
Basant fest or three days festival is to begin in Lahore on February 6. In 2007, the kite-flying festival was prohibited because of the safety issues with the sharp chemical strings and shooting in the air which resulted in many deaths and injuries.
The Punjab government has now removed the ban after almost 20 years but it has been done with stringent rules that would make sure that people are not harmed. The government has also threatened to use harsh legal measures to those who break the new safety rules.
