Shimla's Winter Carnival: A Festive Celebration from December 24 to January 1
Exciting Winter Carnival in Shimla
Shimla: As the year comes to an end, the capital of Himachal Pradesh is preparing for an exciting Winter Carnival, scheduled to take place from December 24 to January 1. This event, now in its third year, aims to create a vibrant atmosphere filled with culture, music, food, and entertainment, uniting both tourists and locals to celebrate the New Year.
The carnival will kick off on December 24, inaugurated by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, alongside senior officials and dignitaries. The local administration and Shimla Municipal Corporation are enhancing preparations to promote winter tourism and generate a festive spirit in the town.
Showcasing Himachali Culture
During the carnival, attendees will experience the rich traditions of Himachal Pradesh, featuring folk music, Nati dance, traditional clothing, and local cuisine. There is a strong focus on highlighting hill culture while providing local artists with a platform to display their talents.
Key tourist spots like the Ridge and Mall Road have been beautifully decorated for the event. The Ridge will host cultural evenings, while Mall Road will feature stalls showcasing handicrafts, traditional artifacts, and locally produced goods. Food stalls offering Himachali specialties alongside popular fast food are expected to attract many visitors.
Additionally, several selfie spots have been established throughout the city, allowing visitors to capture Shimla's heritage and scenic beauty, creating lasting memories of their winter getaway.
Highlights of the Carnival
According to Shimla Mayor Surender Chauhan, the Winter Carnival will include a grand ‘mahanati’ and a cultural parade as major highlights. The Chief Minister is anticipated to join in the mahanati, with large crowds expected to dance to traditional folk music. The cultural parade will represent the diverse costumes and cultural richness of all 12 districts of Himachal Pradesh.
Cultural evenings will occur daily from December 24 to January 1, featuring performances by renowned artists from both within and outside the state. The civic body is making special efforts to ensure local performers have maximum participation.
Musical Performances to Ring in the New Year
The opening night on December 24 will feature performances by Payal Thakur from Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and Punjabi singer Rohanpreet Singh. On December 25, rock band ‘Tatva’ will perform alongside popular folk artist Arun Justa, while December 26 will showcase Himachali singer Dilip Sirmauri and Haryanvi singer Vivek Raghav.
Folk and Sufi music will take center stage on December 27 and 28, with performances by Hemant Sharma, Popstar finalist Inderjeet Singh, Rajeev Raja, Ishant Bhardwaj, Indian Idol's Anuj Sharma, and Sufi singer Dr. Neeta Pandey.
The celebrations will continue with Sa Re Ga Ma Pa winner Sanchita Bhattacharya on December 29, followed by popular hill singers. On December 30, audiences can enjoy performances by Kuldeep Sharma and Indian Idol's Kumar Sahil.
New Year’s Eve will feature the Himachal Police band ‘Harmony of Pine’, along with Punjabi lyricist Gaurav Kaundal and folk singer Kishan Verma. The festivities will wrap up on January 1 with comedian Ehsaan Qureshi bringing laughter, while Bollywood playback singer Hema Sardesai will add a musical touch to welcome 2025.