Both Hindi and Urdu are spoken in Lucknow but Urdu has been the lingua franca here for centuries. Under the rule of Nawabs, Urdu flourished and turned into one of the most refined languages. Hindu and Muslim poets like Aatish, Nasikh, Daya Shankar Naseem, Musahafi, Insha , Safi Lakhnavi and the great Meer Taqi Meer took Urdu poetry to dizzying heights. The two great poets, Mir Anis and Mir Dabeer, became legendary exponents of a unique genre of elegiacal poetry called 'Marsia' centred on Husayn bin Ali's supreme sacrifice in the battle of Karbala which is commemorated during the annual observance of Muharram. However, in recent years the use of Urdu has become significantly reduced - many of the residents of Lucknow are no longer able to read the rich literary tradition or historical artifacts found in the museums and archives. Day-to-day transactions in the city are typically performed in Hindi or English.

The revolutionary Ram Prasad Bismil, who was hanged by the British at Kakori near Lucknow , was largely influenced by poetry and wrote verses under the pseudonym of "Bismil". The towns like Kakori, Daryabad, Rudauli and Malhibad produced innumerable poets and literateurs of Urdu like Mohsin Kakorvi, Majaz Lucknowi, Josh Malihabadi, and Maulana Abdul Majid Daryabadi.

Lucknow, the golden city of the east' is struggling to retain the old world charm that still exists in the old quarters of the city close to the Chowk area. Regarded as one of the finest cities of India , Lucknow represents a culture that combines emotional warmth, a high degree of sophistication, courtesy and a love for gracious living. The (pehle-aap) 'after you' culture so popularised as a tagline for the society of Lucknow is waning but there still remain people who possess those beautiful qualities. This sublime cultural richness famous as 'Lakhnawi Tehzeeb' blends the cultures of two communities living side by side For centuries, sharing similar interests, speaking a common language -Urdu.

Many of the cultural traits and customs peculiar to Lucknow have become living legends today. The credit for this goes to the Nawabs of Awadh, who took keen interest in every walk of life and encouraged them to attain a rare degree of perfection.

Lucknow is popular for it's Chikan, sometimes anglicised to 'chicken' despite having no poultry affiliation - an embroidered handicraft which has traditionally been associated with Lucknow , and 'Lakhnawi Zardozi' are important small-scale industries around Lucknow . Old Lucknow 's Chowk area is the location where the maximum number of Chikan factories and shops can be found. Apart from clothing, the Chowk area is also famous for its mouth watering sweets like 'Malai Gilauri', 'Badam Halwa' and 'Ras-Malai', as well as the famed 'Chatpati chaat'. Kathak, the classical dance form took shape here. Additionally it is also famous for its perfumes and silver-work.

Festivals : Lucknow festival provides an insight into the old, cultured, atmosphere of the city.It is a 10 day festival of Nostalgia, held in month of February. One can witness plays, processions, Kathak dances, ghazal and sitar performances, kite flying, cock fighting, etc. Lucknow also celebrates 'Muharram' in a very good way.