Meghalaya
festival
Every November, Shillong turns pink. The Himalayan cherry trees bloom across the city, and the effect is hard to ignore. It runs for three days at the Polo Grounds in Shillong. No other city in India sees a cherry blossom bloom like this. Music, food, art, and flowers — all in one place.
Ward's Lake, Shillong Golf Course, and Lady Hydari Park look completely different during bloom season. November is the right month to be in Shillong. Meghalaya tour packages in November fill up fast because of this festival. Book early. Shillong is well-connected to Guwahati by road. The drive takes two and a half hours. Flights to Umroi Airport are limited, so most visitors drive in from Guwahati.
Cherry blossoms in Shillong are not imported or planted for tourism. The Himalayan cherry tree, locally called Sohmynken by the Khasi people, grows naturally across the Khasi Hills. It blooms every October and November without fail. The tree has been part of this landscape for centuries.
The festival itself started in 2016. It was organised by the Shillong Chamber Choir and supported by the Meghalaya government. The idea was simple — celebrate what already exists naturally. The first edition drew a few thousand visitors. By 2019, it had grown into one of Northeast India's most talked-about cultural events. Live music, local food stalls, photography competitions, and art installations now run alongside the bloom every year.
The festival usually happens in November when cherry blossom trees are in bloom. Evening hours are best for concerts and lighting displays. Temperatures generally stay between 10 and 20°C during this period in Shillong.
Shillong is 100 kilometers from Guwahati. The drive takes two and a half hours. Private cabs from Guwahati charge ₹1,500 to ₹2,000. Shared cabs are available from Guwahati's Paltan Bazar for ₹250 to ₹300 per seat. Umroi Airport in Shillong has limited flights. Most visitors fly into Guwahati and drive.
Entry Fee:
Festival Timings: There are no official fixed timings
Day Wise Timings
Maps & Location
Shillong, Meghalaya
Essential Information
Point of Interest for Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival
Cherry Blossom Trees
Pink flowering trees visible across roads and public spaces.
Live Music Concerts
Evening performances by local and national music artists.
Local Food Stalls
Khasi snacks, tea, barbecue, and street food options available.
The Ward’s Lake Illuminations
Walk across the wooden bridge as the pink trees are lit up with colorful lights after sunset.
The cherry blossom season in Shillong occurs annually in November. Unlike spring blooms elsewhere, these Himalayan cherry trees flower during autumn, painting the city in shades of pink and white.
The best places to see the blooms are Ward’s Lake, Polo Grounds, and the Shillong Golf Course. You can also spot them lining the roads toward Upper Shillong and Mattilang Park.
November is the absolute best month to visit. The peak bloom usually lasts for about two weeks in mid-November, coinciding with the city's massive international music and cultural festival.
Shillong is famous for hosting the world’s only autumn cherry blossom festival. It uniquely combines the natural beauty of Himalayan blooms with global music concerts, local wine, and vibrant Khasi culture.
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