Shillong, Oct 31: The Cherry Blossom Festival is set to return with a celebration of music, art and culture, showcasing the vibrant diversity of Meghalaya.
This year’s lineup includes The Script, Jason Derulo and Nora Fatehi on Day 1, followed by Aqua and Tyga on Day 2. The festival will culminate with a performance by DJ and producer Diplo.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced that a special tribute to the legendary Zubeen Garg will be one of the key highlights, performed by musicians close to the late artist.
Multiple festival zones have been planned across Shillong — including the main stage at JN Stadium, the Polo Grounds and the MFA Ground. Tickets are available online and at designated box offices in the city.
When asked about the government’s tourism target, the Chief Minister said they are aiming to surpass last year’s figure of around 50,000 stay-over tourists.
“I’m referring to tourists who come and stay the night, book rooms and spend a few days here. Of course, if we include day visitors, the numbers will easily cross a lakh,” Sangma explained.
To manage traffic during the event, the government will implement similar measures used during major concerts such as Ed Sheeran and Bryan Adams.
“There will be designated no-traffic and no-car-movement zones during specific hours. While traffic is always dynamic, our past experience will help us manage it more efficiently this time,” Sangma assured.
When asked about the festival coinciding with school examinations, the Chief Minister said efforts are being made to minimise disruption.
“We understand the concern. However, the festival dates coincide with the natural cherry blossom season, so we will ensure that the impact on students is minimised,” he said.
On how the government plans to encourage tourists to explore beyond Shillong, Sangma said the festival is part of a broader tourism strategy.
“The idea is to develop a complete tourism ecosystem. Over the years, homestays and facilities have improved, and more investment is coming in. We hope visitors will explore other destinations across Meghalaya and, in turn, contribute to the local economy,” he added.
Addressing critics who question government spending on such festivals, the Chief Minister said “When we look at development, we must consider every aspect of it. Our spending has increased across all major sectors — Rs 3,500 crore annually in education, nearly Rs 1,500 crore in health, and over Rs 2,000 crore in road projects. Water supply and sports also receive dedicated budgets each year. So, it’s not that we cut funds from schools or health to host festivals — every department gets its fair share.”
He further highlighted that investments in tourism and festivals generate strong returns.
“Last year, we spent roughly Rs 20 crore on the Cherry Blossom Festival and saw returns of over Rs 130 crore in direct and indirect revenues. That’s nearly five times the investment. Festivals like these create jobs, boost local businesses, and enhance the state’s brand value. Today, Shillong is one of the most searched destinations online because of such events,” Sangma said.
