The state has a rich cultural heritage in terms of festivals, music, dance, drama, crafts and even administration. It has 32 autonomous traditional institutions in the from of Emirates Councils mostly in the Northern part and Chiefdoms in the southern part.

Kaduna State is made up of 23 local government areas all with diverse cultural, traditional & ethnic beliefs and ways of life. Despite the diversity in the ways of life of the people of Kaduna State, the people are known and recognized for their hospitality, that is why it is described as the melting pot of Nigeria.

The state can boast of it's colourful cultural festivals such as listed here, it should be noted that the following are major festivals in the state. Various ethnic groups in the state celebrate other smaller ones. Also these celebrations are thanksgiving to God the creator. They served originally as traditional religious festivals but now modified to serve as forum to discuss developmental issues affecting the societies. The state is one of the oldest human settlements in the country. While other areas measure their history in hundreds of years, the state measure its own history in thousands of years. This is authenticated by the Nok Culture discoveries, especially in Nok as well as the remains in Tsohuwar Turunku. Other early settlements in the state include Kauru, Kajuru, Jema'a Dararo, Garun Kurama, Old Birnin Gwari to mention only a few. Among the festivals, holidays celebrated in the city of Kaduna are :