Big international acts now play the North East. Guwahati and Shillong are on the tour map, and the region's own festivals book names from across the world.
This guide lists the confirmed shows of the 2026 season, with dates and ticket prices. It also covers getting there, where to stay and how to plan a trip around a gig.
How it changed
For years, fans in the North East flew to Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru for big gigs. That has changed.
In December 2025, Post Malone played his first headline show in India in Guwahati. It was at the Khanapara Veterinary Ground, and thousands came.
Shillong's Cherry Blossom Festival has booked acts like Akon, The Script and Diplo. The region now has a concert season of its own.
Assam's government backs the idea. When Guns N' Roses were announced, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed them and pointed to the Post Malone show before them.
17 November: Guns N' Roses in Guwahati
Guns N' Roses play Guwahati on Tuesday 17 November 2026, at the Khanapara Ground. It is their first show in the North East. Parikrama, the Delhi rock band, opens.
It is one of only two India dates. The other is Bengaluru, on 14 November.
Tickets went on sale on BookMyShow on 9 June. In Guwahati they started at ₹3,000, and the early tiers sold quickly. Check BookMyShow for what is left, and avoid resale sites.
Expect the city to fill up. If you are flying in, book your room as soon as you have your ticket.
20 and 21 November: Cherry Blossom, Shillong
Three days later, the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival runs on 20 and 21 November. It has a new home, the New Shillong Highland Grounds, about 30 minutes from the city.
The first acts named were Khalid, Swae Lee and Boys Like Girls. The organisers promised more, but none had been named when we checked in October.
Single-day passes started at ₹2,500, taxes included, on RockskiTickets. Shillong is about three hours from Guwahati by road, so the two shows fit one trip.
December: Hornbill and Winter Tales
The Hornbill Festival runs from 1 to 10 December near Kohima. Its music festival runs alongside the tribal programme.
The winner of the Ticket to Hornbill band battle, held in Delhi on 16 and 17 October, plays there. The 2026 music line-up was not out when we wrote this, so check the organiser.
Back in Shillong, Winter Tales runs at Ward's Lake from 17 to 19 December. It is a craft and food festival, with local musicians in the line-up. Read more in our guide to Christmas in Shillong.
Later in the year
On 24 May, Lou Majaw plays his Bob Dylan birthday concert in Shillong, as he has since 1972. Read why Shillong is called India's rock capital.
In late September, the Ziro Festival of Music takes over a valley in Arunachal Pradesh. It is small, green and the most beautiful setting of them all.
Other gigs get announced at short notice. If a show is not on this page, we could not confirm it. Check the organiser's own page before you book flights.
Getting there
Guwahati (GAU) is the region's main airport, with flights from across India. It is the gateway for the Guns N' Roses show and for Shillong.
From the airport to Shillong is about 128 km, or about three hours by road. There is no railway in Meghalaya, so train travellers finish the trip by car or bus.
For Hornbill, the nearest airport is Dimapur, two to three hours from Kohima. Indian visitors need an Inner Line Permit for Nagaland, applied for online. Our permits guide explains how.
Where to stay
In Guwahati, a stay on the Shillong side of the city cuts the ride home from Khanapara after the show. The next morning, you are already on the road to Meghalaya.
In Shillong, Police Bazar is central and busy, and Laitumkhrah has cafes and a local feel. Upper Shillong is quiet but needs a car. The Cherry Blossom ground is outside the city, so plan a car for the night drive back.
We do not name hotels here. Rooms near a big show go first, so book as soon as your ticket is in hand.
A week with both November shows
Day one, 16 November: fly into Guwahati. Visit Kamakhya or take an evening on the river.
Day two, 17 November: a slow day, then Guns N' Roses in the evening.
Day three: drive up to Shillong, with a stop at Umiam Lake. Rest after the late night.
Day four: a full day in Sohra for the waterfalls and caves.
Days five and six, 20 and 21 November: blossom in the morning at Ward's Lake, the festival in the afternoon and evening.
Day seven: drive back to Guwahati for your flight. Leave early, since festival traffic slows the hill road.
Add Kaziranga to a Guwahati gig
Kaziranga reopened for the season on 3 October 2026, and November is inside its best months. The drive from Guwahati to Kohora takes four to five hours.
That makes a simple plan. See the show in Guwahati, then spend two nights at the park for a morning and an afternoon Kaziranga Safari. Our Kaziranga safari guide has the details.
What to bring
Both November shows are on open grounds. Shillong evenings get cold, so bring a warm layer, even if the afternoon feels mild.
Wear shoes you can stand in for hours. Carry a charged phone, a power bank and some cash for food stalls.
Read the organiser's rules on bags, bottles and re-entry before you leave your room. They differ from show to show.
Planning a trip around a gig
Buy your ticket only from the official seller. Then book your room and your flights. Stays near the venue go first.
Leave a spare day after the show. Big crowds mean slow roads, and an evening concert can run late.
Then make the trip bigger than the gig. Add Kaziranga, Meghalaya or a day trip from Guwahati.
With kids or older parents
Stadium shows mean hours on your feet, loud sound and a slow exit. Check the organiser's age rules before you buy a ticket for a child.
For older parents, it can work better to split the trip. One of you goes to the gig while the others rest, and you all share the sightseeing days. See our elderly-friendly tours.
Questions people ask
Do you sell concert tickets? No. Buy them from the official seller, then let us plan the stay and transport.
Can I do Guns N' Roses and Cherry Blossom on one trip? Yes. The shows are three days apart, and the drive between Guwahati and Shillong is about three hours.
Do I need a permit? Not for Assam or Meghalaya. Nagaland and Arunachal need an Inner Line Permit for Indian visitors.
How do I get back after a late show? Book a car for the return before the show starts. You do not want to hunt for a ride at midnight.
When should I book rooms? As soon as you have a ticket. Gig weekends fill both cities fast.
Plan your trip
Our Guwahati and Shillong long weekend is a good base for a gig trip. It is indicative from ₹17,500 per person, 2 adults sharing, land only. We can stretch it to fit both November shows.
Tell us the gig and we will build the stay, the car and the days either side. We reply within 24 hours. For every festival in the region, see our festival calendar.
