Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival: Dates, Venues and Booking Window
Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2026 will be held at New Shillong Highland Grounds in Mahmawdkuk, 30 minutes from Shillong on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 November.
The tickets have been available from 4 September via the official ticketing partner RockskiTickets. Cherry trees are found in and around Shillong, including Ward's Lake, Lady Hydari Park, and Umkhrah River banks.
They can be observed without buying tickets to the concerts, though entry to some of the parks may cost extra.
- Schedule: 20 to 21 November 2026 (Friday and Saturday).
- Venue of the concert: New Shillong Highland Grounds, Mahmawdkuk.
- Tickets: Mandatory for the concert and available at official festival website and RockskiTickets.
- Blossoming trees: Ward's Lake, Lady Hydari Park, Umkhrah riverbanks, Shillong Golf Course.
- Reserve your accommodation: right now, since the festival takes place on weekends.
Festival Dates and Line-up for 2026
The upcoming event will be held over two days. The first three international headliners are Khalid, Swae Lee and Boys Like Girls. There might be some other artists as well besides the Indian and local artists. Kindly check the schedule of artists before buying a one-day ticket.
The festival started in 2016 as a tourism festival of the Government of Meghalaya, co-organized by the Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) in the autumn season to promote the city's cherry blossoms. It has since grown into one of the biggest music festivals in Northeast India.
Dates and venues over the last three years
The festival has changed venues every year recently, which is why many online guides still list the wrong place.
| Year | Dates | Main venue |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 15 to 16 November | RBDSA Sports Complex, Bhoirymbong (Ri Bhoi district) |
| 2025 | 14 to 15 November | Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and Polo Grounds, Shillong |
| 2026 | 20 to 21 November | New Shillong Highland Grounds, Mahmawdkuk |
This year's dates are about a week later than the last two editions. The state government has designated the New Shillong Highland Grounds as a permanent ground for hosting big festivals and concerts, so be sure to consider this for 2026 and check out the official website for upcoming events.
Two Venues: The Concert Ground and the Cherry Trees
First-timers are hoping to stroll among pink trees during the concert. This is not the way it works. The ticketed music festival is at the New Shillong Highland Grounds, outside the city.
Cherry trees are scattered around Shillong and can be visited without a festival ticket on any day.
| Place | What you get there | Festival ticket needed? |
|---|---|---|
| New Shillong Highland Grounds | Main stage, headline concerts, food and stalls | Yes |
| Ward's Lake | The best-known blossom spot, a lake and garden in the centre of Shillong | No |
| Lady Hydari Park | City park with cherry trees | No |
| Umkhrah riverbanks | Trees along the river as it runs through the city | No |
| Shillong Golf Course | Wide, open course with cherry trees around it | No |
Some parks have a small fee for entering their park. There are several entry and exit points for the concert ground, and there will be parking and a traffic plan for the festival weekend, according to the organisers.
Will the Blossoms Be Out During the Festival?
Shillong's trees are the wild Himalayan cherry (Prunus cerasoides). They bloom in the fall, typically in October and November, unlike the cherry trees of Japan.
The dates of the festival are set months ahead, but the bloom is dependent on the weather. There is no guarantee that there will be a good display of flowers at the same time as the festival weekend.
In 2025, a writer for Outlook Traveller found that the flowers were not yet in full bloom.
If the blossoms matter to you as much as the music:
- Keep one or two free days in Shillong on either side of the festival, instead of leaving the morning after the last show.
- Visit Ward's Lake early in the morning before the crowds, when the light is soft.
- Inquire from your hotel or driver where flowers can be found that week.
Booking Window: What to Book and When
Shillong is a city that fills up quickly during festival weekend. Meghalaya Tourism says there were around 50,000 visitors on each of the two days of the festival in 2025 and the festival is again scheduled on a Friday and a Saturday in 2026.
| When | What to book or check |
|---|---|
| Now (late September) | Festival tickets, your hotel in Shillong, flights to Guwahati |
| October | Any new artist announcements and the day-wise schedule; decide on one day or both; confirm your road transfer from Guwahati |
| Early November | Your journey from the concert venue after late shows; the weather forecast |
| Festival week | Download your e-tickets and bring a photo ID. |
Buy tickets only from the official festival website (shillongcherryblossom.com) or RockskiTickets. Stay away from resellers on social media, particularly close to the dates. The ticket types and the current prices can be found on the official ticket page.
How to Reach Shillong and the Festival Ground
- By air: Most people fly into Guwahati and drive to Shillong, which is approximately 100 km and about 3 hours. Shillong Airport in Umroi is around 30 km from the city and has minimal flight options.
- By train: There is no railway station in Shillong. The closest major stations are in Guwahati.
- Venue: The New Shillong Highland grounds, Mahmawdkuk: Around 30 minutes from the central part of Shillong on a normal day. It will take longer during festival nights, and be sure to arrange for a return ride before the show finishes, not after.
- Permits: Meghalaya does not need an Inner Line Permit.
Weather in Shillong in November
November is one of the dry months in Shillong. According to IMD Climate averages, there are high temperatures around 19°C, low temperatures around 10°C and 1 or 2 rainy days. At the outdoor site, evenings can be colder.
Bring a warm jacket, layers and shoes suited to grass. Please read the festival's bag policy before heading out.
Turn the Festival into a Meghalaya Trip
After two days of the music festival, there is still enough time left to explore other parts of Meghalaya. November is one of the most favorable months for traveling here due to dry roads, clear Dawki river and waterfalls that still carry water.
Our month by month guide to the best time to visit Meghalaya explains why.
If you need to visit Sohra, root bridges and Kamakhya Temple at the same time, then you should check out our Shillong Cherrapunji Meghalaya Kamakhya package tour from Guwahati, which will last for five days.
You can request adding festival days to your schedule, because this five-day itinerary does not include concert days. Buy festival tickets separately through the official site.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2026?
On 20 and 21 November 2026, a Friday and Saturday. Concert events are held on both days.
Where is the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival held in 2026?
The New Shillong Highland Grounds in Mahmawdkuk, 30 minutes' drive outside of Shillong city. The 2025 event was held in Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and Polo Grounds, while the 2024 event was held at Bhoirymbong, so some old guides may give you the wrong location.
Do I need a ticket to see the cherry blossoms in Shillong?
No. Cherry blossoms are viewed in open spaces including Ward’s Lake, Lady Hydari Park and the river banks of the Umkhrah River. You will only need a festival ticket for the concert ground. Certain parks have their own small entrance fees.
Are the cherry blossoms in full bloom during the festival?
Not necessarily. Wild Himalayan cherry blooms during October and November and is subject to climate changes. Staying back by one or two extra days in Shillong helps in increasing your chances of seeing the trees at their best.
How do I book Cherry Blossom Festival tickets?
Use the official website of the festival or RockskiTickets, which is the official ticketing partner of the festival. Ticket sales for the Cherry Blossom Festival 2026 began on 4 September. Avoid buying from resellers.
Do I need a permit to visit Shillong for the festival?
An Inner Line Permit is not required for travelling to Meghalaya. Make sure you carry a valid photo ID and check other travel documents relevant to your trip.