As Uttar Pradesh prepares to mark UP Diwas 2026, the state is taking its cultural narrative beyond geographical boundaries, positioning the celebration as a platform to showcase its rich heritage, creative traditions and evolving identity to a national and global audience. A specially curated cultural evening at Delhi Haat on January 24 will bring together the colours, crafts, cuisine and performing arts of Uttar Pradesh in the heart of the national capital.
Designed around the theme ‘Viksit Uttar Pradesh’, the Delhi Haat programme aims to present an immersive experience that blends tradition with contemporary aspirations. The event is expected to attract a diverse audience including members of the Indian diaspora, senior government officials, eminent personalities from Uttar Pradesh and representatives from 18–20 foreign missions, underlining the growing international interest in the state’s cultural and social legacy.
The evening will feature folk performances from different regions of Uttar Pradesh, exhibitions of traditional crafts, and a curated showcase of regional cuisines that together reflect the state’s vast cultural diversity. Eminent individuals of Uttar Pradesh origin who have made significant contributions across various fields will also be felicitated during the programme, reinforcing the state’s connection with its people beyond borders.
The Delhi Haat celebration is part of a broader outreach strategy linked to UP Diwas 2026. In the run-up to the occasion, Indian missions in nearly 12 countries have been encouraged to organise parallel celebrations with the participation of communities of Uttar Pradesh origin. This global outreach is aimed at strengthening cultural bonds with the diaspora while highlighting Uttar Pradesh’s contribution to India’s shared civilisational and cultural identity.
UP Diwas 2026 will be observed simultaneously across all districts of the state, with the main state-level celebrations scheduled at Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Lucknow. District-level programmes will focus on culture, literature, social initiatives and key development milestones, reflecting the state’s emphasis on inclusive growth alongside cultural preservation.
Platforms such as Delhi Haat also offer an opportunity to present initiatives like One District One Product and the spirit of Vocal for Local to an international audience. At the same time, Lucknow’s recognition under UNESCO’s Creative City of Gastronomy network adds a global dimension to the state’s culinary and tourism narrative.
Together, these initiatives seek to project Uttar Pradesh as a state that honours its heritage while confidently engaging with the world, using culture as a bridge between tradition, tourism and global outreach.
