LAHORE – The third Punjab Mass International Theatre Festival 2026 will be held at Lahore Arts Council’s Alhamra from October 23 to 28, featuring theatre artists from Pakistan and several other countries.
Organised on Alhamra’s international cultural platform, the six-day festival will bring together theatre groups from Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Norway and France.
The programme will feature theatrical performances, training workshops and panel discussions exploring the contemporary relevance of theatre, its connection with young people, its role in social change and the accessibility of the arts.
The festival will open with an inaugural ceremony at Alhamra on Mall Road, Lahore, on October 23.
On October 24, Punjab University will present its play Ak Boota Ambi Da. The programme will also feature Gangster Hunting with Daisy Detective by Norway’s ERLER Teater Kompani.
On October 25, a French theatre group will stage Zig Zag. A panel discussion on the relevance and importance of theatre in the age of social media will also explore the relationship between theatre and digital culture.
On October 26, Kazakhstan’s renowned Kostanay Regional Kazakh Drama Theatre, named after Ilyas Omarov, will present Sholpan’s Sin.
A discussion on inclusive theatre will examine ways to make theatrical performances more accessible and meaningful for people from diverse backgrounds.
The Pakistani play Rooh Ka Sauda will be staged on October 27 through a collaboration between the Mass Foundation and the German Embassy. Discussions on the same day will focus on artistic freedom, artists’ responsibilities and theatre’s role in society.
On October 28, Indonesia’s Sanggar Obrog Seligon Seni will present Kintir. A panel discussion will also examine the relationship between theatre and young people. Special performances of Norway’s Gangster Hunting with Daisy Detective are also part of the festival programme.
The festival will additionally feature theatre workshops aimed at nurturing young people’s creative abilities.
Titled Designing Encounters: Creating Immersive Experiences, the workshops will take place at Beaconhouse National University in Lahore on October 25 and at Lahore Grammar School’s Johar Town campus on October 26.
The festival aims to promote cross-cultural exchange, introduce audiences to international theatre trends and creative practices, and encourage dialogue on the evolving role of theatre in contemporary society.