Festivals of Punjab: Must-Attend Cultural and Religious Celebrations in 2025

Festivals of Punjab are as colorful as Punjab’s culture, people, music, and food.  The beauty of festivals and culture grabs eyes from the corner of the world. From Lohri and Basant Panchmi to Guru Nanak, GuruPurab, and Bhai Dooj, each festival in Punjab has its significance. 

When exploring places to visit in Amritsar, attending the harvest festival of Punjab will meet you with the rituals. This TripzyGo guide has curated the list of the most famous festivals, their significance, and how each home celebrates these festivals with joy. 

11 Famous Festival of Punjab 

1. Lohri: January 13, 2025
2. Basant Panchmi: February 2, 2025
3. Baisakhi: 13 April, 2025
4. Hola Mohalla: March 14, 2025 to March 16, 2025
5. Teej/Teeya: July 27 2025
6. Rakhri: August 9, 2025
7. Karva Chauth: October 10, 2025
8. Guru Nanak GuruPurab: 5 November,2025
9. Bhai Dooj: October 23, 2025
10. Chappar Mela: Expected to Held in September
11. Jor Mela: February 1, 2025

When you see the vibrant colors in places to visit in North India, you will also feel a different vibe from the festival of Punjab. Here is the list of top harvest festivals of Punjab with details:

Lohri: January 13, 2025

Lohri is a festival of warmth, joy, and togetherness, marking the end of winter and the beginning of longer days. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi. It is a time when families gather around a bonfire, sing traditional songs, and offer sesame seeds, jaggery, and peanuts to the flames. 

The festival is particularly special for newlyweds and newborns, with grand celebrations and gift exchanges. On this day, people fly kites, do energetic Bhangra and Gidda performances, and children collect Lohri treats from neighbors.

Popular Lohri Songs

1. Sundar Mundariye– classic folk songs
2. Lodi from Veer Zaara–Bollywood song
3. Balle Balle–Punjabi dance song 
4. Massan Leye–traditional song 
5. Lohri–Soulful Punjabi Melody

Traditional Dishes on Lohri 

1. Makki di Roti and Sarson da Saag
2. Til Rice
3. Gajak and Rewri 
4. Peanuts and Popcorn 

Basant Panchmi: February 2, 2025

Basant Panchmi in Punjab festivals, is celebrated on the fifth day of the Hindu Month of Magha, heralds the arrival of spring, and is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, music, and arts. In Punjab, this festival is overseen with great enthusiasm, marking the end of winter and the beginning of the vibrant spring season.

Devotees dress in yellow attire, symbolizing the mustard fields in full bloom. The celebration is marked by the flying of colorful kites, filling the skies as a tribute to the vibrancy of the season. Traditional music and dance performances, mainly bhangra, add charm to this festive vibe. 

Families prepare and share special dishes, often yellow in color, to honor the occasion. The festival is also considered important for beginning new ventures, marriages, and other life events. 

Traditional Dishes of Basant Panchami 

1. Yellow rice
2. Kadhi Pakora 
3. Boondi Ladoo
4. Kesari Halwa
5. Sarson da Saag with Makki di Roti

Baisakhi: 13 April, 2025

Baisakhi, celebrated on April 13, is a significant festival in Punjab marking the harvest of Rabi crops. It is the harvest festival of Punjab and also celebrates the formation of the Khalsa in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. On this day, Punjabis express gratitude for a bountiful harvest and honor their rich cultural heritage. 

Celebrations include visiting Gurudwaras for prayers, participating in Nagar Kirtans, and performing traditional dances like Bhangra and Gidda. People dress in vibrant attire, and fairs are organized across the state. The preparation and sharing of traditional Punjabi dishes also marks the festival. Baisakhi is among one of the most popular festivals in Punjab.

Traditional Dishes Prepared During Baisakhi in Punjab

1. Meethe Chawal 
2. Punjabi Kadhi Pakora 
3. Chhole Bhature 
4. Gur ka Halwa
5. Kheer 

Hola Mohalla: March 14, 2025 to March 16, 2025

Hola Mohall is, celebrated a day after Holi, is among the festivals of Punjab founded by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1701. It was established to showcase the martial spirit, chivalry, and intellectual depth of the Khalsa Panth. Held mainly in Anandpur Sahib, Punjab, the festival features spectacular displays of Gatka, mock battles, and horse riding skills by Nihangs. 

The celebrations begin with prayers at Gurudwaras, Akhand Path, and community langars. The grand procession or Nagar Kirtan sees warriors showcasing incredible feats, while poetry recitations and hymns add to the spiritual aura. One must attend Hola Mohalla to experience the essence of Punjab festivals.

Traditional Dishes Enjoyed During Hola Mohalla

1. Karh Prasad
2. Makki ki Roti and Sarson da Saag
3. Amritsari Kulcha 
4. Kheer
5. Lassi and Buttermilk
6. Roohafza Milk

Teej/Teeya: July 27 2025

Teeyan, also known as the Punjabi teej, is a vibrant festival celebrated in Punjab to mark the onset of the monsoon season. It falls during the month of Sawan, and it is a time when married women return to their parental homes to rejoice with family and friends. 

This festival is characterized by lively gatherings where women adorn themselves in bright, traditional attire, sing folk songs, and perform the Giddha dance. Swings are hung from trees, and the atmosphere is filled with joy and camaraderie. 

The significance of this harvest festival of Punjab lies in its celebration of womanhood and the bonds of marriage. Historically, it provided an opportunity for married women to visit their natal homes during the monsoon season. Teeyan serves as a reminder of cultural traditions, familial bonds, and the enduring spirit of Punjabi women. 

Traditional Dishes Prepared During Teeyan

1. Kheer
2. Pooda
3. Gulgule
4. Malpua
5. Halwa
6. Seviyaan 

Rakhri: August 9, 2025

Raksha Bandhan, celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravana, is one of the major festivals of Punjab. It honors the bond between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters tie rakhi on their brother’s wrists, perform aarti, and pray for their well-being. In return, brothers pledge to protect their sisters and also give them gifts. The festivals strengthen the bond of brother and sister. 

Brothers visit their sisters if they are married and offer them presents. Families come together to enjoy traditional Punjabi dishes. Sisters select the most beautiful rakhis for their lovely brothers, and brothers shop for their favorite things for their sisters. 

Traditional Dishes Prepared During Raksha Bandhan 

1. Chole Bhature 
2. Dal makhani 
3. Butter Chicken 
4. Patiala Lassi
5. Gulab jamun
6. Ghevar 

Karva Chauth: October 10, 2025

Karva Chauth is one of the major festivals for women in Punjab. On this sacred day, women observe a day-long fast from sunrise to moonrise, praying for the health and longevity of their husbands. This ritual shows the deep marital bond and is marked by many traditional practices. 

Their day begins with the pre-dawn meal called “Sargi,” mainly prepared by the mother-in-law. Throughout the day, women adorn themselves in red or green bridal attire, apply henna, wear their jewelry, and participate in social gatherings. In the evening, women perform a puja and wait for the moonrise. 

After seeing the moon, they view it through a sieve, offer prayers, and then break their fast, often with a sip of water given by their husbands. After this, women eat food, starting from sweets like Churma, Kheer, or Halwa, and then eating other food. 

Guru Nanak GuruPurab: 5 November,2025

Gurupurab, also known as Guru Nanak Jayanti, is one of the major festivals of Punjab. It begins with the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. Celebrated with great joy, it emphasizes the value of unity, equality, and selfless service. The festivities commence early in the morning with the recitation of hymns and the singing of kirtans. 

A notable tradition is the Nagar Kirtan, a religious procession where devotees, including “Panj Paye,” sing hymns and engage in martial arts, which is known as Gatka. Gurdwaras are beautifully decorated, and the community partakes in langar. 

Bhai Dooj: October 23, 2025

Bhai Dooj is one of the heart left festivals of Punjab that truly celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Falling just after Diwali, it is a day when sisters lovingly apply a tikka made of saffron and rice on their brother’s foreheads, praying for their long life and happiness. 

In return, brothers shower them with gifts and sweets. On this day, brothers visit their married sisters and eat food there from their sister’s hand. This festival in Punjab is not only about the rituals but also about love, protection, and the joy of having a sibling to celebrate with. 

Chappar Mela: Expected to Held in September 

Chappar Mela is one of the most vibrant festivals in Punjab, as are the people and culture of Punjab. This unique fair is dedicated to Gugga Pir, revered as a snake deity, and has been part of Punjabi culture for over 150 years. 

According to legend, a boy and a snake shared a deep bond, and their tragic story led to this annual celebration. The fair is a lively mix of devotion, music, dance, and delicious food. People gather to seek blessings, enjoy folk performances, and take part in activities.  This fair is hosted like any other festivals of Punjab.

Jor Mela: February 1, 2025

Shaheedi Jor Mela is a major Punjab festival held annually in December at Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib. This mela honors the martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh’s youngest son, Baba Zorawar Sing, and Baba Fateh Singh. These young Sahibzadas were tragically bricked alive in 1705 for steadfastly refusing to renounce their Sikh faith. 

The three-day event draws thousands of devotees who take part in the Akhand path and processions and pay respect at Gurudwara jyoti Swarup Sahib, where the young martyrs were cremated. The mela shows deep religious reverence and the rich cultural heritage of Punjab. 

How to Reach Punjab 

By Air: 

1. International Airport: Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport in Amritsar serves direct flights to key cities around the world, including London, Singapore, Moscow, Dubai, and Birmingham. 
2. Domestic Airport: Chandigarh Airport at Mohali offers flights connecting to major Indian cities. 

By Train:

1. Major railway stations: Amritsar Junction, Ludhiana Junction, and Jalandhar City Junction are among the primary railway hubs in Punjab. 
2. Notable trains: The Shatabdi Express connects Amritsar to New Delhi, covering a distance of 449 km.

By Road: 

1. National Highways, such as NH1 or the Grand Trunk Road, link states directly to most of the significant places in northern and eastern India. 

Enjoy Punjab Festivals and Learn About Punjabi Culture 

Festivals of Punjab reflect its rich culture, deep-rooted traditions, and vibrant spirit. From the warmth of Lohri and the spiritual significance of Guru Nanak Gurupurab to the grandeur of hola Mohalla and the familial bonds of rakhi, each festival carries a unique charm. Colorful celebrations, delicious dishes, and folk dances make every occasion special. 
If you are planning to explore the best places to visit in India in November, take a cultural dip into Punjab festivals. Book your festive experience now with TripzyGo and witness the colorful Punjab!