Lahore’s deputy commissioner has submitted a summary to the Punjab government proposing that Basant 2027 be held from March 12 to 14, with the Punjab Cabinet expected to make the final decision on the festival schedule.
The proposal would allow kite flying across Lahore district during the three-day period, except in prohibited areas and subject to government restrictions on permitted kites and strings. The dates remain subject to the provincial government’s final decision, according to reports published on October 17, 2026.
The latest move follows uncertainty over the festival calendar. Punjab initially announced March 12 to 14 for Basant 2027, but the schedule was later changed to a 10-day celebration from January 29 to February 7. The March proposal has now returned for consideration after concerns were reported about preparations, production timelines and the feasibility of the earlier schedule.
Basant 2027 Dates Still Await Final Approval
The proposed March dates would restore the original three-day plan for Lahore’s traditional kite-flying festival. However, the district administration’s summary should not be confused with final cabinet approval.
The Punjab government had previously announced the March schedule, and the Lahore district administration has published a Basant 2027 information page. Residents, visitors and businesses should follow subsequent government notifications to confirm the final dates and applicable rules.
Proposed Dates for Kite Manufacturing and Sales
According to sources at the deputy commissioner’s office cited in the latest reports, the proposal includes separate dates for manufacturing, purchasing, transporting, storing and selling kites and kite strings.
The reported timetable is as follows:
- February 1, 2027: Proposed start of permitted purchasing, transportation and storage.
- February 10, 2027: Proposed start of sales to the general public.
- March 14, 2027: Reported final date for manufacturing under the proposal.
These dates should be treated as reported details of the proposed arrangements until the relevant authorities confirm them in an official notification. Businesses should verify licensing, registration and material requirements before starting production or sales.
Safety Rules for Kite Flying in Lahore
The Lahore district administration’s published guidance states that only specified kites and cotton-thread strings are permitted. It prohibits dangerous materials, including chemical-coated and metallic strings, as well as aerial firing and fireworks.
Safety measures are important because hazardous kite strings have caused serious injuries and deaths, particularly among motorcyclists and pillion riders.
The Punjab government has also outlined requirements for safe rooftops, crowd management and other precautions ahead of the festival.
Residents should not assume that permission to fly kites during the festival makes every type of string or related activity legal. The final government notification will determine the rules in force.
What Residents and Traders Should Know
If the March schedule is approved, Lahore would hold Basant over three days, from March 12 to 14, 2027. Kite manufacturers and retailers would also have a defined timetable for preparing and selling permitted materials.
For now, the key distinction is between the proposed dates and the final approved schedule. Residents, visitors and businesses should monitor announcements from the Punjab government and Lahore district administration before making travel, production or commercial arrangements.
The festival’s implementation will also depend on compliance with safety rules, licensing requirements and restrictions on prohibited materials. Authorities have emphasised public safety as a central part of preparations for Basant 2027.
