Held every year in the famous Mughal city of Lahore during end October – early November, this festival features livestock from all over Pakistan, folk dancing, tent pegging, horse and camel dancing, tattoo show and many other colorful and interesting events.
This is one of the most famous annual festivals of Lahore. The National Horse and Cattle Show can be seen in Spring in the Fortress Stadium. During the week long activities there is a display of the finest livestock, horse and camel dances, tent pegging colorful folk dances from all regions of Pakistan, mass-band displays and grand fireworks known as the Tattoo shows in the evening. 
The show has been described as an eloquent expression of Pakistan's heritage and an authentic account of its agricultural and industrial achievement's. It is held in Lahore Fortress stadium at the end of February or at First week of March. The fortress stadium, the venue of the show is thronged by active participants, foreign visitors and peoples who watch the festival with great enthusiasm, verve and aplomb.
A large number of them are interested in watching and appreciating the best breeds of livestock. Many derive pleasure by watching other activities such as display parade of animals, dances by horses and camels, polo matches, tent pegging, dog shows and their races, vaudeville acts of stuntmen, mass display of military band, rhythmically physical exercise by the children.
Tastefully decorated industrial floats and torch light tattoo shows. Additional attractions include a subtle interplay of lights to weave enticing patterns at night and breath taking acts by foreign groups. The show began as a modest exhibition organized by the army to project the cattle wealth of the country in the early fifties.
Lahore wears its best in spring each year when the city and its inhabitants brim with life, in true spirit of the season. There is a riot of colors all around as flowers bloom and an atmosphere of excitement and exuberance prevails. However, the event that attracts people from all over the country and abroad is the fabulous National Horse and Cattle Show. From what began as an annual get together of live stock breeders in the early 1950s, the show has become Pakistan’s major annual international festival, encompassing not only a display of well-bred cattle but also an annual competition of various indigenous sports including polo and tent pegging. 
The festivities include a colourful programme of folk dancing by thousands of participants from different regions. Horse jumping, trick horse riding, trick motor cycle riding, dare-devil motor car driving and a dog & hare race are among the highlights of the festival. The principal attraction of the show, however, remains the impressive display of the best available specimens of Pakistani livestock.
The morning programme included a Unity Show, the Army Band display, callisthenics, a cavalcade of livestock, a Greyhound race, folk dances, tent-pegging, motorcycle trick-riding by Military Police, a bullock cart race, horse and camel dances and a prize distribution ceremony.
The cavalcade featured the Neeli Ravi buffalo, the Dajal sheep, fillies, colts and stallions of the Punjab besides Tharparker and Kankrej cows from Sindh.
The show featured artistically-arranged callisthenics through coordination of folk dances from different provinces & the AJK. The dances were choreographed on regional music.
As the sun sets over the impressive Fortress Stadium, the venue of the show, fireworks display, military tattoos and brass band pageants enliven the evenings and enthrall the spectators.
Today it is an international event to which come dignitaries from abroad and visitors and foreign tourists. The organizing committee comprises representatives of a number of agencies including army, rangers, LMC schools, the police, industrialists and the art councils.
