Lok Mela 2025: A Festival Where Every Thread Tells a Story

Starting tomorrow and running till November 16, Islamabad’s Lok Virsa will transform into a vibrant celebration of heritage as Lok Mela 2025 kicks off. The ten-day festival, organised by the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa), is one of the most anticipated cultural events of the year, bringing together artisans, musicians, and storytellers from every corner of the country.

Visitors can expect an explosion of colour and craftsmanship, with regional pavilions representing Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Each space offers a glimpse into its region’s unique artistic traditions, from handwoven textiles and pottery to jewellery and folk art. Every craft tells a story of community and continuity, a thread connecting past and present.

This year, the festival widens its scope with an International Pavilion, welcoming artists from around 12 countries. The addition turns Lok Mela into a global exchange of creativity, where cultural borders blur through art, sound, and design.

Evenings will feature themed musical nights leading up to a grand finale on November 16. For food lovers, the air will be rich with the aroma of regional favourites, offering a feast of local flavours that capture the essence of each province.

A beloved tradition that continues to celebrate the country’s creative spirit, Lok Mela 2025 promises more than entertainment, it offers a journey through the textures, tastes, and traditions that make the nation’s cultural landscape so rich.