Lahore Literary Festival

لاہور ادبی میلہ

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Arts & CultureLahore
DatesDates TBA · Usually FebruaryCheck locally before booking
Duration3 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsFounded independently from Karachi's earlier
Language["ur"]Currency: PKR
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Lahore Literary Festival in Lahore

The Lahore Literary Festival, founded in 2013 by Razi Ahmed, is a three-day literary event held annually every February at the Alhamra Arts Centre in Lahore. It later expanded into ticketed international editions in New York and London, becoming the first Pakistani literary festival to go global.

Three years after Karachi launched Pakistan's first major literary festival, Lahore developed its own, founded independently in 2013 by Razi Ahmed, with early organizational support from activist Nusrat Nuscie Jamil.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Founded independently from Karachi's earlier festival by Razi Ahmed, with early support from activist Nusrat Nuscie Jamil, the Lahore Literary Festival distinguished itself in 2016 by becoming the first Pakistani literary festival to launch dedicated international editions, partnering with the Asia Society in New York and the British Library in London to bring Pakistani literary voices to audiences abroad

02

The mystery stays covered

Held at the Alhamra Arts Centre, a longstanding cultural venue in Lahore, the festival has hosted internationally recognized authors including Kamila Shamsie, Mohsin Hamid, Leila Aboulela, and Geoff Dyer alongside Pakistani scholars and writers discussing topics from Kashmir to the works of Saadat Hasan Manto, and press coverage regularly describes it as one of South Asia's premier cultural events

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival's defining traditions are its three-day program of author panels and cultural discussions at the Alhamra Arts Centre and its pioneering expansion into international ticketed editions in New York and London

Water and renewal

Living ritual

extending Pakistani literary discourse to audiences abroad since 2016

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually February

Getting around

Use Lahore transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.

What to wear

Modest, smart-casual clothing appropriate for Lahore's mild February climate; a light jacket for cooler mornings and evenings is advisable, with headscarves optional but respectful in...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Stay near workable transport in Lahore, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

["ur"] · PKR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map31.55 N, 74.36 EOpen in Google Maps

Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

Nearest airportLHE — Allama Iqbal
TransportUse Lahore transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.
Stay areaStay near workable transport in Lahore, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Lahore via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Lahore, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for February.Compare faresFestival gearModest, smart-casual clothing appropriate for Lahore's mild February climate; a light jacket for cooler mornings and evenings is advisable, with headscarves optional but respectful in conservative settings.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Pakistan and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Lahore Literary Festival?

Lahore Literary Festival is listed for Past edition: 6–8 February 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Lahore Literary Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Lahore, Pakistan. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

3 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLlahorelitfest.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually February
Source statusOfficial source linked
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