Held annually at Islamabad during the month of October, this colour-full festival features cultural groups from all over Pakistan exhibiting their handicrafts, folk dances and music. Pavilions reflecting the life styles of different regions are on display besides various other interesting events.
The folk heritage of the Punjab is the traditional urge of thousands of years of its history. While Urdu is the official language of the Province, there are a number of local dialects through which the people communicate. These include Punjabi, Pothohari, Seraiki, Jatki and Jangli. The songs, ballads, epics and romances are generally written and sung in these dialects. 
There are a number of folk tales which are popular in different parts of Punjab. These are the folk tales of Mirza Sahiban, Saiful Maluk, Yousuf Zulaikhan, Heer Ranjha, Sohni Mahinwal, Dulla Bhatti, Poran Bhughat, and Sassi Punnu.
The mystic folk songs include the Kafees of Khwaja Farid in Seraiki, Punjabi and Shalooks by Baba Farid Shakar Ganj. They also include baits, dohras, loris, Sehra, and Jugni.
The most famous of the romantic love songs are Mayhiah and Dhamaal, Jhoomar, Bhangra and Luddi. Punjabi romantic dances include Giddha, Dhola and Summin.
Festival Highlights
Participants come from all over Pakistan. You would be able to feel and experience the variety in tastes, cultures and heritage of Pakistan all under one roof. One may find different pavilions displaying the crafts of their respective provinces. The Kashmir pavilion may display major crafts from Azad Jammu and Kashmir like Embroidered shawls, Namda and Gabba (floor rungs and wall hangings), wood works, basketry, metal crafts and jewellery etc.
The Punjab Pavilion may host traditional food items along with singing and listening pleasures of Punjab folk songs. Punjabi style handicrafts also manages to catch viewer attention. 
From the Balochistan pavilion one may expect to get depictions of nomadic balochi life styles and traditional artisans displaying their skills of various Baloch crafts. Leather embroidery crafts and crafts using date leaves are also prime choices of interest in this pavilion. Apart from this one may expect to get a taste of Balochi folk songs and their all famous dish called "Sajji".
The Sindh pavilion may offer depcitions of Sindh life style, village scenes and working men and women. Artisans preparing different crafts and their traditional folk songs and instruments. "Ajrak" a traditionally made shawl is by far the most highlighted attraction of this pavilion.
The N.W.F.P Pavilion features the pushtoon culture, customs, crafts and cuisine. Glittering metal crafts of Brass and Copper are displayed in a great variety along with stalls of traditonally made baskets. Stone carving which was traditionally done on tomb stones is also shown in a diversified fashion which can be used on planters, table tops and wall hangings. Along with this Pathan dancers perform their famous "Khattack Dance" and offer their traditional "Chappli Kebab" for your eating pleasures.
Apart from these pavilions one may witness all kinds of cuisine, musical galas, crafts bazar, lok virsa's display and sale stalls. A richly cherishable experience bound to create a lasting impression.
