In Japan the cherry trees flower in spring. In Shillong they flower in November. The city now holds a festival for them each year, with music, food and big-name concerts.
The 2026 festival is on 20 and 21 November. This guide covers the tree, the festival, tickets, getting there, where to stay and what to add to the trip.
The tree
Shillong's cherry is the wild Himalayan cherry, Prunus cerasoides. It grows wild in the Khasi Hills. Unlike the Japanese sakura, it flowers in autumn.
Buds usually show by the end of October. The trees are at their best in the first weeks of November, though each year runs a little early or late.
Where to see the blossom
Ward's Lake, in the city centre, is the easiest spot. In 2025 the festival's Japan Arena was held there.
Upper Shillong, in the hills on the way to Elephant Falls, has more trees. So do roadsides across the city.
Do not expect a solid pink canopy. The trees grow scattered, and in some years the bloom is patchy. Go in the morning, when the light is soft and the roads are quiet.
How the festival began
Shillong held its first small cherry blossom festival in 2016. The 2017 edition was billed as India's first International Cherry Blossom Festival.
It was run with the Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development. Its director set a target of 20,000 cherry trees for the city.
The festival has not run every year. It was cancelled in 2020 because of Covid. In 2022 the state called off all its festivals in mourning, after six people died in a firing at Mukroh on the Assam border.
The 2026 festival
The 2026 festival runs on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 November. It moves to a new permanent home, the New Shillong Highland Grounds at Mahmawdkuk.
The ground is about 30 minutes from central Shillong. The old venue was the Polo Grounds in town. The organisers say the new site has more parking, more gates and its own traffic plan.
The first names announced were Khalid, Swae Lee and Boys Like Girls. The organisers said more acts would follow. None had been named when we checked in October, so watch the official channels.
Recent years have drawn big crowds. Akon and Boney M played in 2024. In 2025 The Script, Jason Derulo, Aqua and Diplo played over two days.
It is not only a concert. Expect art installations, cultural shows and stalls of local food during the day.
Tickets
Tickets are sold online through RockskiTickets. Sales opened on 4 September 2026.
Single-day passes started at ₹2,500, taxes included. Higher tiers and two-day passes may cost more, and the cheapest tiers often go first. Check the seller for what is left.
Buy only from the official seller. We do not sell festival tickets, but we can plan the trip around yours.
How to get there
Most visitors fly into Guwahati (GAU). The airport is about 128 km from Shillong. The drive takes about three hours on a good day, and longer in festival traffic.
There is no railway in Meghalaya. The nearest station is Guwahati, so train travellers finish the trip by road too.
Shillong has a small airport of its own at Umroi. Flights there are few and change often. Work on a longer runway began in 2026, so check the airlines before you plan around it.
On festival nights, the venue is out of town. Plan a car for the return trip, or stay close to New Shillong. Late-night taxis are hard to find after a big show.
Where to stay
Police Bazar is the centre of town. It has the most hotels and shops, and Ward's Lake is close by. It is also the busiest and noisiest part of the city.
Laitumkhrah is a lively area a short drive from Police Bazar. It has cafes, the cathedral and a more local feel.
Upper Shillong is higher and quieter, on the road to Elephant Falls. It has more cherry trees and cooler nights, but you need a car for everything.
For the festival, choose with the drive in mind. The New Shillong ground is outside the city, so a central stay means a longer ride home at night.
Weather and crowds
November is one of the best months in Meghalaya anyway. The monsoon is over, the skies are clear and the days are cool. Nights are cold, so pack a warm layer for the concert.
The concerts bring a big crowd for one weekend, so book your room early. If you want the trees more than the music, come a week before or after.
The festival week is also busy because of another gig. Guns N' Roses play Guwahati on 17 November, three days earlier. Read our guide to the North East's concert season if you want both.
What else to do around Shillong
Give the festival two days and the hills the rest. A half day takes you to Laitlum, where the plateau drops away into a deep valley. It is indicative from ₹2,400 per person from Shillong.
Spend a night in Sohra for the waterfalls and caves. From there, walk down to the living root bridges at Nongriat.
The Mawphlang Sacred Grove is an easy half day from the city. For a longer list, see our things to do in Meghalaya.
Kohima's cherry trees flower in November too. You can add Nagaland, and the Hornbill Festival from 1 December, to the same trip.
A four-day festival plan
Day one: fly into Guwahati and drive up to Shillong. Stop at Umiam Lake on the way, then rest.
Day two: see the trees in the morning at Ward's Lake and Upper Shillong. Go to the festival in the afternoon and stay for the evening acts.
Day three: a quiet morning, then a half day at Laitlum. Head back to the festival grounds for the second night.
Day four: drive down to Guwahati for your flight. Leave early, since festival weekends slow the hill road.
What to pack
Bring layers. The afternoons can feel warm in the sun, but the evenings turn cold fast, and an open ground holds no heat.
Wear shoes you can stand in for hours. Carry a small bag, a power bank and some cash for food stalls. Check the organiser's rules on bags and bottles before you go.
With kids or older parents
The blossom suits every age. Ward's Lake is flat and central, and you can see the trees from the car in Upper Shillong.
The concerts are a different matter. They mean long hours on your feet, big crowds and a late, cold drive back. For young children or older parents, we would skip the gig and see the trees in the quiet week around it.
Read our guide to Meghalaya with kids and elderly parents, or see our elderly-friendly tours.
Questions people ask
Is the blossom guaranteed during the festival? No. The trees follow the weather, not the calendar. Most years they are at their best in early to mid November.
Do I need a permit for Meghalaya? Indian visitors do not need one. Meghalaya is one of the North East states with no permit for a normal holiday.
How many days should I plan? Four days covers Shillong and the festival. Six or seven lets you add Sohra, the root bridges and Dawki.
Plan your trip
Our Meghalaya in Full trip runs 6 nights. It covers Shillong, Sohra and the root bridges. It is indicative from ₹31,500 per person, 2 adults sharing, land only. We can set it around the festival dates.
See the festival calendar for the rest of the year, or tell us your dates. We reply within 24 hours.
