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Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival: India’s autumn cherry season
Pink cherry trees on the pine hills as the November air turns cool
Shillong’s cherry blossom comes in autumn, not spring: the wild Himalayan cherry flowers across the city in November. Since 2016 the Meghalaya government has timed a two-day festival to it, with ticketed concerts by local and international acts, now held at a permanent ground in New Shillong. Festival dates: 20–21 November 2026. The concerts need a ticket; the blossom in the city’s parks and roadsides is free.
The Meghalaya government announces the dates and the first headliners between late August and October.
The legend
The Meghalaya government started the festival in 2016 to draw visitors to the state, timing it to the November bloom of the Himalayan cherry.
Since 2024 Japan, home of cherry blossom festivals, has been an official partner, with a Japan Zone on the grounds.
Customs
Concert stage
Two or three days of concerts with local and international acts; the concerts are ticketed.
Fair and shows
Around the stage there are fashion shows, local cultural performances, exhibitions, art and food stalls.
The tree and when it flowers
The tree behind the festival is Prunus cerasoides, the wild Himalayan cherry. It grows from the Himalayas through Myanmar and northern Thailand into south-western China, usually at 1,200 to 2,400 metres, and its flowers are pinkish white. It flowers twice a year: once between about January and April and again between September and November.
Around Shillong the autumn bloom peaks in mid-November, which is when the festival is held. The trees grow wild and in the city’s parks and along its roads, so the blossom is something you meet walking around town rather than at one address. Flowering depends on the weather, so judge it by the week rather than by the festival day: a few days either side can be as good.
What the festival is
The Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival is a state event, started by the Meghalaya government in 2016 to draw visitors to the state. Its centre is a two-day concert stage with local bands and international headline acts; Meghalaya Tourism promotes Shillong as India’s rock capital. Around the stage there are fashion shows, local cultural performances, exhibitions and art and food stalls. Japan, home of the cherry blossom festival, is now an official partner, with a Japan Zone on the grounds.
The festival has moved to a permanent venue, the New Shillong Highland Grounds, outside the city. The government announces the dates and the first headliners between late August and October; tickets are sold through a ticketing partner linked from the official festival website, shillongcherryblossom.com.
Planning the trip
Decide first whether you are coming for the concerts or for the trees.
- Concert or blossom — If you only want the trees, there is no need to match the festival dates: come in the second half of November and walk the city. If you want the headliners, buy tickets once the line-up is out.
- Getting to the ground — The festival ground is in New Shillong, outside the old centre. Check the organisers’ transport notices before the event.
- Roads in the north-east — The UK government notes that protests and blockades are common in India’s north-eastern states and can disrupt the highways, and that skirmishes occur on the Assam–Meghalaya border. Check local news before driving.
- More in the season — The same visit can take in other Meghalaya festivals, such as the Nongkrem Dance Festival and Wangala; check their dates, which are set separately.
FAQ
When do cherry blossoms bloom in Shillong?
In autumn, with the peak around mid-November. The wild Himalayan cherry also flowers a second time, roughly between January and April.
When is the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival?
Two days in mid- or late November, set each year by the Meghalaya government: 20–21 November 2026.
Is the Cherry Blossom Festival free?
The concerts are ticketed, with tickets sold via a link on the official festival website. The blossom itself, in the city’s parks and roadsides, costs nothing to see.
Where is the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival held?
At a permanent venue, the New Shillong Highland Grounds, outside the city. The trees themselves flower all over Shillong.
Sources (5)
Facts checked: 21 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.