Shillong's Cherry Blossom Festival returns 20 and 21 November with Khalid, Swae Lee, Nelly and Galantis

The Cherry Blossom Festival is back in Shillong on 20 and 21 November 2026, with a bill that mixes American pop and hip-hop names, a Galantis dance set and one of the deepest northeast Indian lineups of the season.

Who is playing

The official festival page, run by Meghalaya Tourism, lists these international acts: Khalid, Swae Lee, Nelly, Boys Like Girls, Galantis and Elliot James Reay. Darshan Raval is the festival's headline Indian act.

The rest of the bill leans on the region's own scene, including Scribe, Bhayanak Maut, Gingerfeet, W.I.S.H, Jessie Lyngdoh, Da Minot, Magnificent Obsession, Mercy Is Dead, Napalmic, Skylevel, Kill Deez Kidz and Time Noir. Gates open at 2pm on both days, according to the listing.

Organisers have said further acts, including more national and regional performers, may still be added closer to the date.

Where and how much

The festival is held in Meghalaya's capital region, and the official listing places it at Madan Kurkalang in Bhoirymbong. This year's edition moves to a permanent festival ground rather than the Polo Grounds, where earlier editions were held. Single-day tickets start at Rs 2,500 including taxes and are sold through Rockski Tickets.

Why it matters

The Cherry Blossom Festival began in 2016 as a state tourism project, timed to the wild Himalayan cherry blossoms that flower across Shillong each November. It has since grown into one of northeast India's biggest music weekends, and past editions have brought in international names alongside the region's rock and hip-hop acts. Shillong has a long guitar-music tradition, so the local bill is as much a draw as the headliners.

Khalid is a good example of the calendar around this one: after Shillong he plays his first India shows in December, in Gurugram, Bengaluru and Mumbai.

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