Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2026 Set for November with Star-Studded Lineup
Exciting Return of the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival
File image of Cherry Blossom Festival in Shillong. (AT Photo)
Shillong, Sept 1: The much-anticipated Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival for 2026 is scheduled to take place on November 20-21, featuring a new permanent venue and an impressive lineup of international artists.
This year's festival will be hosted at the newly inaugurated New Shillong Highland Grounds, a venue specifically designated by the Meghalaya government for large-scale events, concerts, and festivals.
Among the first three headliners announced are American R&B sensation Khalid, rapper Swae Lee, and the pop-punk group Boys Like Girls, according to officials.
Khalid, celebrated for his chart-topping hits like Young Dumb & Broke, is a seven-time Grammy nominee and a leading figure in contemporary R&B and pop music.
Swae Lee, recognized for his collaborations with the hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd and his solo projects, will also take the stage. His notable works include Sunflower, a collaboration with Post Malone from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Boys Like Girls, a band that has been around since 2005, is famous for songs such as The Great Escape, Thunder, and Love Drunk.
Officials have indicated that two additional international headliners will be revealed soon, bringing the total number of major acts for this year's festival to five.
The announcement of the lineup faced some delays due to the logistics involved in preparing the new venue, including artist arrangements, production needs, and overall festival planning.
Located approximately 30 minutes from Shillong, the New Shillong Highland Grounds is expected to enhance accessibility for attendees traveling from various parts of Meghalaya, Assam, and nearby regions, including those arriving from Jowai.
The Meghalaya government plans to implement a thorough traffic and mobility strategy during the festival weekend to manage the expected influx of visitors.
The previous edition in 2025 featured international stars such as Jason Derulo, The Script, Tyga, Diplo, Nora Fatehi, and Aqua.
Single-day tickets will be available starting at Rs 2,500, taxes included, with organizers aiming to present the event as an affordable international music festival. Ticket sales will commence on September 4 at 6 p.m.