Looks like the universe has finall
y realized what the Northeast has been saying for decades: Shillong is basically the musical capital of India, and the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2025 is here to rub that fact in—loudly, proudly, and with just a tiny bit of international star power casually sprinkled in.
Starting November 14, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and Polo Grounds will explode with pink blossoms, loud beats, and the collective shock of people wondering how The Script, Jason Derulo, Tyga, Aqua, and Diplo all decided that yes, Shillong is apparently the place to be this November. It’s almost as if the world woke up and said, “You know what? Enough of Delhi and Mumbai… let’s go to the hills.”
Day 1 kicks off with The Script and Jason Derulo—because why settle for one global artist when you can have two back-to-back? And of course, Nora Fatehi will be there to make sure no one forgets what high-energy entertainment looks like. Local legends like Khasi Bloodz, Zephyrtone, Walter Wahlang, and a whole mountain-load of Northeast talent are also performing to remind everyone that the region has been musically stacked long before the internationals boarded their flights. 
On Day 2, the festival says, “Let’s go bigger,” and brings in Tyga, Aqua, and Diplo—as if Shillong needed more street cred. Northeast favorites like Meba Ofilia, Girish & The Chronicles, and others will also grace the stage, because you can’t call it a Shillong festival unless you blend international flash with homegrown fire. There’s even a tribute to Zubeen Garg, because obviously you have to honor the man who practically soundtracked an entire region.
And if music isn’t enough (which, let’s be real—it is), the festival also throws in everything from arm-wrestling to cosplay, karaoke, ziplines, mechanical bulls, and graffiti contests. Basically, every millennial fever dream in one place.
Meanwhile, Ward’s Lake turns into a Japan Arena, because why not? Shillong is clearly collecting cultures now—Japanese art, music, food, performances—all set against a blooming landscape that basically screams Instagram me.
So yes, as the cherry blossoms paint the hills pink, Shillong is once again ready to prove that it isn’t just a city—it’s a vibe, an experience, and apparently now the unofficial international music hub that big stars can’t resist anymore.
