FolkTea Festival 2026 Set to Celebrate Assam's Tea Heritage

The FolkTea Festival 2026 is set to take place at the Hatipoti Tea Estate in Pabhoi on November 28 and 29. This vibrant event will celebrate Assam's tea heritage, cultural traditions, and entrepreneurial spirit. With a special Founders’ Club Retreat for networking and discussions, the festival aims to highlight Assam tea's significance beyond agriculture. Attendees can also enjoy a variety of cultural performances, folk music, and a car rally exploring scenic routes. The main festival day will be open to the public free of charge, making it an exciting opportunity to experience Assam's rich cultural identity.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 10, 2026, 16:39 IST

Overview of the FolkTea Festival

A file image of a performance during the 2022 edition of FolkTea Festival. (Photo:@folkteaAssam/X)

Guwahati, Nov 10: The sixth installment of the FolkTea Festival is scheduled to take place at the Hatipoti Tea Estate in Pabhoi on November 28 and 29. This event aims to showcase Assam's rich cultural heritage, tea traditions, and the burgeoning entrepreneurial scene.

Hosted by the Nanda Talukdar Foundation in collaboration with Hatipoti Tea, this two-day festival intends to elevate Assam tea beyond its agricultural roots, emphasizing its connections to the state's history, community, hospitality, landscapes, and cultural identity.

A notable feature this year is the Founders’ Club Retreat, which will gather entrepreneurs, startup founders, and business leaders from Assam and other regions for networking, discussions, and potential partnerships.

This retreat aims to foster business discussions outside traditional boardroom settings, encouraging participants to explore entrepreneurial ideas and new opportunities within the tea estate environment.

FolkTea 2026 will also highlight tourism prospects in Assam's North Bank, including access to the Northern Range of Kaziranga National Park and the broader landscapes of the area.

A special car rally towards the Arunachal Pradesh border will be part of the festival, allowing participants to discover the region's picturesque routes and tourism potential.

The cultural program will include folk music, traditional games, theater, camping, bonfires, and live performances. The main event on November 29 will be free for the public.

Organizers emphasize that the festival aims to narrate the story of Assam tea beyond just a beverage, presenting it as a vital aspect of the state's cultural identity and soft power.

FolkTea 2026 is backed by Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), Oil India Limited (OIL), Assam Pollution Control Board, North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Limited (NEDFi), and State Bank of India.