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Lahore’s skies bloom again as Basant returns after two decades
The revival of the iconic kite festival fills the city with colour, nostalgia and renewed celebration
- PUBLISHED: Mon 23 Mar 2026, 12:38 PM
For the first time in nearly two decades, Lahore’s skies burst back into colour as Basant returned in February 2026, bringing with it the unmistakable excitement of spring in Punjab’s cultural capital. From the narrow lanes of the Walled City to modern neighbourhood rooftops, people gathered in large numbers to witness the return of a festival many believed had become a memory. As the sun dipped over Lahore’s historic skyline, kites zigzagged and soared high above the rooftops while cheers echoed through the streets below.
For three days from February 6 to 8, Lahore felt transformed. Rooftops turned into lively gathering spots where families, neighbours and friends celebrated together. Children held their reels tightly, adults shouted directions as kites drifted across the sky, and music floated through the air. Basant marks the arrival of spring and reflects the cultural heartbeat of Lahore. Historically linked to the spring festival of Vasant Panchami, the tradition became deeply rooted in Punjab’s cultural landscape. Over the decades it evolved into one of Lahore’s most vibrant celebrations, attracting locals, tourists and overseas Pakistanis eager to experience the spectacle.
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By the 1980s and 1990s, Basant had reached its peak popularity. Rooftops overlooking landmarks such as the Badshahi Mosque and Lahore Fort became prized viewing spots. Entire neighbourhoods stayed awake through the night as the skies glowed with colourful kites and illuminated lanterns.
However, the festival was banned in 2007 after a series of tragic accidents linked to dangerous kite strings and unsafe practices. Metallic and chemically coated strings caused severe injuries, particularly to motorcyclists. The ban brought an abrupt end to one of the city’s most cherished traditions.
This year officials conducted large scale crackdowns before the festival began, seizing thousands of illegal kites and rolls of banned string from markets. Special safety measures were introduced across the city, including protective rods installed on motorcycles and nets placed over certain streets to prevent dangerous threads from falling onto power lines.
Markets in Lahore’s historic Mochi Gate and other traditional kite-making districts came alive once again. Vendors who had waited years for the festival’s revival saw their stalls filled with customers searching for colourful kites, strings and reels.
Traders reported a surge in sales, with the festival generating millions of rupees in economic activity. The revival provided a much-needed boost to the traditional kite-making industry that had struggled during the long ban.
“Basant has always been the lifeline of Lahore,” said Shazia Cheema, a local resident.
“Seeing the sky filled with kites again was an incredible feeling. It brought back memories of childhood and reminded us how deeply this festival is connected to our culture.”
Nadia Tufail, Public Relations Officer at the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) Lahore, said the city embraced the festival’s return with extraordinary excitement.
“The entire city was decorated in Basant colours and rooftops were beautifully arranged for celebrations,” she said. “There was a magical atmosphere across Lahore. It felt festive, vibrant and joyful while also being organised with safety in mind.”
For many younger residents, Basant was not a memory but a discovery.
“For Gen Z this was their first time witnessing the festival,” Tufail explained. “Many of them had only heard stories about Basant from their parents and grandparents. Some did not even know the traditional terms used in kite flying or the names of different kite styles. Watching them discover this tradition was truly special.”Even rising prices did little to dampen the excitement.
“Although kites and strings were more expensive this year, people did not hesitate to celebrate the colours of spring,” she added. “The city was decorated in a way that truly reflected the spirit of Basant.” Residents across Lahore echoed similar sentiments.
The festival’s revival also attracted overseas Pakistanis eager to witness the moment.
Many visitors travelled from countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Canada and the United States to be part of the celebrations. Hotels, guesthouses and rooftop venues across the city reported high demand during the festival.
Wajid Aziz, a Pakistani living in Dubai, flew to Lahore specifically to celebrate Basant.
“When I heard the festival was returning after nineteen years, I booked my flight immediately,” he said. “For overseas Pakistanis, events like these reconnect us with our childhood memories.”
Standing on a rooftop in Lahore and launching his first kite of the festival, Aziz said the moment felt deeply emotional.
“When I released the first kite into the sky, it felt like something missing in my life had finally returned,” he said. “For many of us living abroad, Basant represents home.”
As evening settled across Lahore, the skyline shimmered with hundreds of kites floating in the fading light. Rooftops remained lively well into the night, filled with laughter, music and friendly competition.
For a city that prides itself on its cultural heritage, Basant’s return carried a deeper meaning.
It was not simply the revival of a festival. It was the rediscovery of a tradition that has shaped Lahore’s identity for generations.
As Pakistan celebrates its cultural heritage and national spirit, the return of Basant stands as a colourful reminder that traditions can survive even the longest pauses. Like the kites that now dance once again above Lahore’s rooftops, the spirit of Basant has risen back into the sky.
Sana Eqbal is a journalist with over 10 years of experience and a media strategist specialising in corporate communications, public relations, digital media, and content management.