Lok Mela — National Folklore Festival
Traditional and popular parties · Islamabad, Pakistan
The festival
For ten days Islamabad became a miniature Pakistan. Lok Mela, a national folklore festival organized by Lok Virsa — the national institute of popular and traditional heritage — gathered in Shakarparian artisans, folk musicians, dancers and cooks from all provinces and regions of the country.
Pavillons in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Baluchistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, artisans at work, craft bazaar, cultural nights and regional cuisines: the potter is met and heard throughout the country without leaving the capital. The 2025 edition, Lok Virsa's 50th anniversary, was held from 7 to 16 November.
Good to know
Existence and 2025 edition verified by two open and read sources: Lok Mela from November 7 to 16, 2025 in Lok Virsa, Shakarparian, Islamabad — 10 days, organized by the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa), edition of Lok Virsa's 50-year Golden Jubilee, theme "Yakjehti k Rang, Lok Virsa k Sang", international pavilion of 12 countries. At the time of the audit (October 2026), no official 2026 (n 2027) date found in the open reference guide: prudent retention in "Observatory Period" November, without "future" status dated. No official festival website directly open and read: Official field left empty.