Punjab is always in a celebrative mood as every month, there is an occasion to rejoice. January through December, one can get a glimpse of the vivacity of life in the festivals of Punjab. Celebrated in January with bonfire and bhangra, Lohri ushers in the cheerful spring season bidding adieu to dull winters. The other major festival is Baisakhi that celebrates the success of hard work put in by farmers for a good harvest.

Maghi Mela/Muktsar Fair :

• Maghi Mela is organised to commemorate a battle fought in 1705-06 by Guru Gobind Singh against the Mughals. This fair lasts for three days and falls on the Makar Sankranti day (January).On the first day, the devotees bath in the Muktsar tank - the pool of salvation and the next day, they go in procession to the three holy mounds, namely, Rikab Sahib, Tibbi Sahib and Mukhwanjana Sahib. Rikab Sahib is the spot where the Guru's stirrup broke.

Hola Mohalla (Mar) :

• Hola Mohalla, celebrated in Anandpur Sahib was started by Guru Gobind Singh in AD 1700, adding spiritual and martial elements to Holi, as a gathering of Sikhs for military exercises and mock battles on the day following the festival of Holi. The fair begins a few days before Holi and is marked by the congregation of Sikhs from all over the State, who arrive on trucks and tractors. A large number of ‘Langars' (community kitchen) are set up to provide free food to all.
• The day after Holi, the three days Hola Mohalla begins with the singing of the divine hymns in the ambrosial hours of very early morning. With the dawning of the day the Nihangs, perform feats of martial valour in archery, sword fencing, fancy horse-riding, tent-pegging, and the deft handling, displaying their skills at this festival of valour, a pageant of the past. On the last day led by Panj Pyaras, a long procession starts from Takth Keshgarh Sahib, wearing traditional robes and armour of blue and saffron colours and all steel, they move out through the township which concludes the festival.

Baisakhi :

• Baisakhi is the first day of the New Year in the traditional Vikrami calendar and it is one of the high points of the year for Sikhs as it is anniversary of the founding of Khalsa. Baisakhi is a North Indian harvest festival, for it is the day when the reaping of the rabi (winter crop) begins. The jubilation at a bountiful harvest becomes the reason for celebration. It is one of the most popular and colourful festivals of Punjab, with fairs held at various places. Dancing men and women, on the day of Baisakhi, emerge singing and dancing from the surrounding villages carrying a portion of the first harvest of wheat proceeding to the gurudwara to make an offering.

Lohri :

• Lohri is celebrated on the 13th day of January every year, which falls in the month of Poush or Magh according to the Hindu calendar. The festival precedes the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti. The Lohri Festival bring together people from every caste and community, enhancing brotherhood and social interaction.
• The Lohri Festival of Punjab is truly a festival for the mass. Lohri the exciting harvest festival in Punjab is one of the greatest festivals of the state. The people of Punjab show their gratitude to God for providing them with the rich resources. The festival gets a different flavor with traditional folk songs and dances like the Bhangra, Giddha, etc. They dance and sing around the bonfires and children are treated with gifts, money, eatables etc as they roam around from door to door, singing praises of Dulla Bhatti.
• The Lohri festival is among the oldest festivals of the country and it dates back to the time of Indus Valley Civilisation. A legendary story is associated with the Lohri festival.
• Dulla Bhatti was the Rajah of Pindi Bhattan, who had a huge popularity among his people. Almost like Robin Hood of the West, Dulla provided financial support to the poor by robbing the rich people of the land. He was killed by the Mughals, for revolting against them. The tales of his bravery and generosity is remembered in the day of Lohri through songs and dances.

Rauza Sharif Urs :

• Rauza Sharif Urs is celebrated in the memory of great sufi Saint Sheikh Ahmed Farooqui Sirhindi. Sheikh Ahmed was the most eminent of Khawaja Baqi Billah’s disciples. He was the fourth of the seven sons of Sheikh Abdul Ahmed Farooqi Naqshbandi and was born in Sirhind. People of all faiths pay their homage at the shrine of Rauza Sharif that is located on the Fatehgarh Sahib-Bassi Pathana road in the vicinity of Fatehgarh Sahib Gurudwara.

Baba Sheikh Farid Aagman :

• Baba Farid, a 12th century Sufi saint, is described by many as the first major Punjabi poet. A large number of devotees from far off places recently converged here to attend the annual Baba Farid Fair marking the saint's arrival day with faith and fervor. The recitation of Sukhmani Sahib followed by a prayer at Gurudwara Tilla Baba Farid, and a series of celebrations mark the five-day long fair. Devotees from all religious groups have great faith and devotion in this holy place.
• During the fair, the Baba Farid society organises various sporting and cultural activities to attract the youth. It includes Kabaddi contest with teams participating even from neighbouring Pakistan. The major attractions at the fair are daring stunts performed by the Baazigars.

Bathinda Virasat Mela :

• Remembering the olden days when life was not so complicated and people were more affectionate towards each other than today, the Malwa Heritage Foundation attempts to revisit all that by organising Virasat Mela, a heritage festival. Upholding decades old traditions the Heritage Festival endeavours to revive the ancient folk arts, the customs and traditions at a specially built Jaipal Gar Village inside the sports stadium at Bathinda.

Jor Mela :

• Annual three day jor Mela is celebrated in martyrdom of two younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh. Held in open grounds of Fatehgarh sahib Gurudwara, festivals' main highlight is the light and sound show depicting life sacrifice of Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh in 1794, in their childhood age upon rejection on accepting Islam. Processions are taken out and display of Sikh games marks the heroic act of martyrs in three day festival.

Kila Raipur Sports Festival :

• In February every year, Ludhiana becomes the destination for hundreds of sports enthusiasts, including foreigners. Many of them have never seen bullock carts or camels running for coveted cash prizes in speed races. They come to Kila Raipur to see the special breed of bullocks,camels, dogs, mules and other animals competing in highly Professional events.
• It was in 1933, Philanthropist Inder Singh Grewal visualized an annual recreational meet where farmer from areas surroundings Kila Raipur could get together and test their corporal endurance. The idea gave birth to Kila Raipur sports, the undisputed Rural Olympics.

Patiala Heritage Festival :

• Started in the year 2003, under the aegis of the Patiala Heritage Society. It is an annual feature ornamenting fair face of the city of Patiala. Held in the gentle climes of the month of February, eve year. The Patiala Heritage Festival offers sublime not just for the music and art lovers of Patiala but also for those of the entire state of Punjab and region put together and organised by Patiala Heritage Society.
• Festival is an art and cultural extravaganza. The highlights of the festival have to be seen, heard and savoured in order to be believed. These include the Crafts Mela (the Crafts Fair) held at the Sheesh Mahal Art Gallery premises in which 150 crafts persons from different parts of India display their wares for fifteen days. Another remarkable aspect of this ten-day treat is the whole dazzling array of Indian classical music (both Vocal and Instrumental) and dance concerts organised and held in the courtyard of the majestic Durbar Hall in the Qila Mubarak Complex in the heart of the old city.

Rupnagar Heritage Festival :

• The festival is organised by the local administration and aims at not only bringing Rupnagar together but also appeal to rest of the state. The festival is aimed at bringing Punjabi artists in the limelight and provide mixed entertainment to public giving them a taste of Sufi music, Bhangra music etc.

Diwali :

• On this day Guru Hargobind Singh, the sixth Guru of the Sikhs reached Amritsar after his release from Gwalior during the reign of the Jahangir. Diwali also celebrates the return of Ram, king of Ayodhya, with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana to Ayodhya after a 14 year exile and a war in which he killed the evil and demonic king Ravana.
• This festival is celebrated for five continuous days, with the third day being celebrated as the main Diwali or as Festival of Lights. Fireworks are always associated with this festival. The day is celebrated with people lighting diyas, candles all around their house. Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening to seek divine blessings of Goddess of Wealth. Streets, stores and buildings across various cities in Punjab are decorated with lighting and fireworks mark the enlightening the dark night and every street echoes with the laughter of children. People dressed in new clothes, visit relatives and friends to exchange greetings and gifts.

Kapurthala Heritage Festival :

• The Baba Jassa Singh Ahluwalia Heritage Festival is held under the aegis of the Kapurthala Heritage Trust, in collaboration with the Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and supported by Government of Punjab. Held against the backdrop of the spectacular Jagatjit Palace and starting each year with an obeisance of Shabad Kirtan in memory of Baba Jassa Singh, who is himself remembered for his rendition of Shabad Kirtan. This festival unfolds a wonderful tapestry of classical music, dance and theatre.

Bhangra Festival :

• Bhangra festival to be held for the first time in Punjab will be organised on annual basis during pleasant season of approaching winter. Scenic locations across Punjab with backdrop of heritage and conserved monuments, Bhangra Festival aims to provide an opportunity to people across the country and abroad to get insight into one of the most popular music genre, Dhol beats. Bhangra is an important aspect of Punjabi culture that has been celebrating the joyous occasions from 2000 BC.

Amritsar Heritage Festival :

• To celebrate the spiritual and cultural heritage of Amritsar, The Amritsar Heritage Society in collaboration with the Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and supported by Punjab Government, organises The Amritsar Heritage Festival.
• The festival showcases bhangra, giddha, gatka troupes, horses and elephants alongwith the beautiful jhankies depicting Punjabi culture. The cultural programmes included shabad kirtan, theatre, music and dance etc. The music also had a wide variety from folk to classical and from sufiana qawali to pop.

Harbhallabh Sangeet Festival :

• Organised every year from 27th-30th December this music festival honours the memory of Swami Harballabh, a famous saint musician. On the first day, the devotees bathe in the Muktsar tank - the pool of salvation, and the next day, they go in procession to the three holy mounds, namely, Rikab Sahib, Tibbi Sahib and Mukhwanjana Sahib. Rikab Sahib is the spot where the Guru's stirrup broke. Swami Harbhallabh belonged to a rich family from Hoshiarpur and renounced the material way of life to become a disciple of Swami Tulja Gir who initiated him into the art of music.

Jarag Fair (March-April):

• This fair is held in Jarag, a village in tehsil Payal. It is held in Chet (March-April) in honor of the Goddess Seetla. It is also known as the Baheria fair. Sweet gulgulas (jaggery cakes fried in oil) are prepared one day earlier and then given in offering to the Goddess and thereafter to the donkey who is her favorite. After propitiating the Goddess, the family members eat the remaining savory gulgulas. This festival is observed in Malwa and Powtdh but the fair is held only in Jarag. There is a pond where the devotees of Goddess Seetla gather. They scoop the earth and raise a small hillock, which is accorded the status of the Goddess’s shrine. Potters specially bring their donkeys decked in colored blankets.