Meghalaya Tourism unveils Autumn Calendar 2025

Vibrant season of festivals, arts and music

Department of Tourism of Meghalaya has unveiled its Autumn Calendar 2025, featuring a rich mix of cultural festivals, international performances, adventure sports and literary events.

Department of Tourism of Meghalaya, a north-eastern state, has officially launched the Autumn Calendar 2025, unveiling a stellar line-up of festivals, aiming to cement Meghalaya’s position as one a vibrant cultural destination.

“These festivals should not be seen as expenses but as investments that attract visitors, empower our local talents, boost the local economy, and create resources to support other essential sectors,” says Paul Lyngdoh, Minister of Tourism, Meghalaya.

According to a press statement, a highlight of 2025 will be the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project (CM-MGMP), which will host daily music sessions across the state throughout the season. The programme has already created a remarkable impact; over 7,750 artists have performed in more than 13,000 shows, generating 175 salaried jobs for crew and coordinators alone. This year, the project will provide the cultural rhythm to Meghalaya’s Autumn Calendar, ensuring that local talent remains at the forefront alongside global stars.

The statement adds that local artists from CM-MGMP will participate in the North-East India Festival at Singapore, later this month. Additionally, another group of artists will travel to Osaka in Japan, for the World Expo.

Another highlight is the Megha Kayak Festival, scheduled from October 14-18 at Umtham Village in Ri Bhoi district. The 2025 edition will bring even more excitement, with Ri Bhoi and the Whitewater Village preparing to host kayakers from around the globe. Adventure enthusiasts and visitors alike can look forward to thrilling whitewater action in one of the world’s most beautiful natural settings.

In 2024, the festival featured three races with prize money of USD 20,000.

Another event features one of the northeast’s toughest and most-followed motorsport events, the seventh edition of Ahor 4×4 Off-Road Challenge from October 23–25, promises even tougher tracks and thrilling action for off-roaders and fans.

Last year, the event drew participants and enthusiasts from across India, adding motorsport to Meghalaya’s cultural identity, says the statement.

The star draw of the season is the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival on November 14–15 at JN Stadium Polo in Shillong. The statement adds that the much-awaited Cherry Blossom Festival moves to Shillong’s JN Stadium this year, placing the celebration at the very heart of the city. Headliners include Jason Derulo, ‘The Script’, Nora Fatehi and other international icons yet to be announced.

In 2024, global sensations Akon, Boney M and Clean Bandit performed to massive crowds. A government investment of INR 50 million generated an economic return of nearly INR 60 million crore, underscoring the festival’s immense tourism potential.

The calendar of the events also features fifth edition of Shillong Literary Festival returns with a fresh line-up of acclaimed authors, poets, and thinkers.

In 2024, literary giants such as Vikram Seth and Shobhaa De graced the event, attracting nearly 20,000 visitors for three days of dialogue and creativity, adds the statement.

Meghalaya Tourism adds that the 2025 edition of the Me·gong Festival from November 28–29 at Songsak in East Garo Hills, promises to be a showcase of authenticity fused with global influences.

The statement adds that the season concludes with Winter Tales: A festival at the Nan Polok (Ward’s Lake) from December 11-13 and dedicated to celebrating Meghalaya’s indigenous arts, craft, music, food and brews.

The statement adds that the Government of Meghalaya views these festivals as strategic investments. In 2024, an overall expenditure of INR 235 million generated a return of INR 1.33 billion, proving the transformative impact of culture and tourism on the state’s economy.

With international artists, global athletes, celebrated writers, and thousands of grassroots musicians, Meghalaya’s Autumn Calendar 2025 is set to be its most sustainable and impactful cultural season yet.