The Cherry Blossom Festival will return to Shillong on 14 and 15 November with performances by international artists Jason Derulo and The Script. The announcement was made by Meghalaya Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh, who outlined the festival’s new logistics and venue arrangements.
For the first time, a large section of the city—stretching from Hotel Pinewood to Ward’s Lake and up to Polo Grounds—will be designated a pedestrian-only area during the two-day event. Lyngdoh said the decision was taken to encourage walking and reduce vehicular movement. Entry to the venue will be limited to pedestrians, and no private vehicles will be allowed in the restricted zone. Festival-goers will also receive synchronised LED wristbands intended to enhance the overall experience.
This year’s festival will be held at the JN Stadium in Shillong. According to the minister, the change in venue was made to address logistical issues related to accommodation and transportation and to build on Shillong’s reputation as a key location for live music in India.
Lyngdoh referred to the state’s investment in cultural events over the past year, stating that the government had allocated Rs 23.5 crore in support of various festivals. In return, the events reportedly generated Rs 133.42 crore in total economic activity. Last year’s Cherry Blossom Festival saw an attendance of 3.86 lakh people, including 76,000 tourists, who accounted for nearly 5 per cent of Meghalaya’s total annual tourist visits within a two-week span.
Accommodation in Shillong and Sohra reportedly reached full occupancy during the festival period, generating Rs 33.78 crore—approximately 27 per cent of the total economic output linked to the events. The minister also said that social media engagement from the festivals had reached 22 million reel views and resulted in 60,000 organic posts.
Lyngdoh stated that each rupee spent on tickets corresponded with an estimated Rs 334 spent across other sectors such as hotels, food, transport, and shopping. Employment generated during the tourism season averaged 5,509 daily jobs across various areas, including services managed by youth groups, women-led kitchens, local artisans, and micro-enterprises.
Tourists arrived from several parts of India, with 1,762 visitors from Maharashtra and 224 from Odisha. Over 18,000 tourists arrived by air, contributing Rs 16.80 crore in aviation revenue and Rs 5.38 crore to cab services.
