Meghalaya Concludes another grand Cherry Blossom Festival, marks a new high for India’s Concert Economy and Cultural Tourism Landscape
Meghalaya’s iconic Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2025, the centrepiece of the State’s autumn cultural calendar and one of India’s most visually spectacular festivals, concluded with overwhelming public participation, star-powered performances, and an impressive showcase of the region’s cultural and creative dynamism. Over two days, thousands of visitors from across India and abroad gathered in Shillong to experience a celebration that blended global superstars with deep-rooted local artistry, reaffirming Meghalaya’s arrival on the national stage as a prime destination for music tourism, cultural experiences, and nature-led travel.
The festival was inaugurated by Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma, who articulated the State’s long-term vision to build Cherry Blossom Festival into one of the most defining cultural celebrations in India. Addressing the packed Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, he said, “This is one of the biggest festivals in the entire country. With your help, we will make it the biggest and the best and that is the target that we have. Festivals like these are truly important for our tourism sector. We’ll be working much harder in the future to ensure that our tourists get even better experience.” His remarks set the tone for a festival that not only dazzled audiences but also showcased Meghalaya’s larger strategy of nurturing a strong concert economy backed by local talent, global collaborations, and community participation.
Nora Fatehi, The Script, Jason Derulo, Aqua and Diplo Light Up India’s Autumn Capital
Day 1 began with a surge of energy as Nora Fatehi took over the stage with her signature performance style, bringing her electrifying flair to the festival’s opening night. The atmosphere rose to a new high when Irish rock icons The Script delivered their chart-topping hits, moving seamlessly from the anthemic “Superheroes” to an emotional moment where frontman Danny O’Donoghue performed with a fan onstage. As the night progressed, international pop sensation Jason Derulo, accompanied by Les Twins, transformed the stadium into a massive wave of music and light through synced LED wristbands that made the audience part of the spectacle. Day 2 continued the momentum as Danish pop legends Aqua turned the venue into a vibrant dance party with infectious nostalgia, setting the stage for a grand closing performance by three-time Grammy winner Diplo, who powered Shillong into an ecstatic finale with his signature global electronic sound.
An Emotional Chorus for Zubeen Garg Resonates Across the Stadium
One of the festival’s most powerful moments came during the moving tribute to the late icon Zubeen Garg, whose legacy continues to define the musical spirit of the Northeast. The performance of “Mayabini” by Zublee Baruah, Prabin Borah, Priyanka Bharali and Arupjyoti Baruah brought the entire stadium together in a shared moment of remembrance, with thousands singing in unison. The tribute stood out not only for its emotional weight but also for symbolising how deeply Meghalaya’s festivals are intertwined with the cultural heartbeat of the region and the enduring contributions of artists who shaped its musical identity.
Beyond the main arena, Shillong came alive with multiple cultural experiences that added depth to the festival. A key highlight was the Japan Arena at the iconic Ward’s Lake, which returned for the second year as an immersive celebration of Japanese culture. As Japan’s Sakura traditions found a natural autumn parallel in Meghalaya’s landscape, the arena hosted Sumi-e and Shodo demonstrations, origami workshops, cosplay theatre, anime-led language sessions by the Japan Foundation, discussions on creative economy and visual storytelling, culinary showcases by Chef Santosh, and musical performances by Meghalaya-born artist Amo Daring. Visitors experienced a rare cultural convergence that reinforced the festival’s international appeal and Meghalaya’s evolving global collaborations.
The festival also mirrored the success of the CM Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project (MGMP), a pioneering model that nurtures local artists, provides structured pathways for growth, and unites emerging regional musicians with global icons on the same stage. Over the years, the Cherry Blossom Festival has welcomed artists such as Akon, Clean Bandit, Ne-Yo, Boney M, and this year’s roster added Jason Derulo, Tyga, Aqua and Diplo to its growing list. By creating a strong concert economy supported by tourism, talent development and world-class event infrastructure, Meghalaya continues to position itself as one of India’s most innovative cultural destinations.
This year’s festival also arrived at a time when Meghalaya’s tourism sector is experiencing remarkable growth. With more than 1.6 million visitors recorded in FY 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic figures, and tourism contributing 7.7 percent to the State’s Gross Value Added, Meghalaya is rapidly gaining national attention as a nature-driven and culture-rich destination. The government’s commitment to sustainable tourism through the CM Homestay Mission, the Prime Tourism Vehicle Scheme, the Tourist Buddies programme and the multilingual OneConnect helpline has made travel more accessible, community-led and visitor-friendly. With over 300 tourist sites, more than a thousand waterfalls, India’s cleanest river at Dawki, the world’s longest sandstone cave, and living root bridges found nowhere else in the world, Meghalaya continues to strengthen its identity as the leading eco-tourism destination of the Northeast.
As the final beats faded and the cherry blossom–draped city returned to its natural rhythm, the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2025 stood out not only as a two-day celebration of music and culture but as a defining statement of Meghalaya’s ambition to become a global cultural hub. From world-renowned performers to heartfelt local tributes, and from international cultural exchanges to the vibrancy of its tourism offerings, the festival reaffirmed Meghalaya’s place at the forefront of India’s cultural and tourism map, inspiring travellers, music lovers and storytellers across the country