Record turnout for Cherry Blossom Festival 2025 in Shillong

Cultural festival boost tourism to Meghalaya

The Cherry Blossom Festival 2025 concluded in Shillong, capital of Meghalaya, with record crowds, electrifying performances, and heartfelt tributes, marking a turning point in the state’s concert economy and cultural tourism.

A record turnout of visitors and music lovers turned up to watch  star performances and a vibrant display of local art and culture at the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2025 that was held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong.

In a press statement, Meghalaya Tourism says that the two-day festival attracted thousands of visitors from across India and overseas who came to see the pink cherry blossoms and enjoy a mix of music, dance, and food. The event featured international artists along with local talent, creating a lively atmosphere in the hill city.

It adds that with its growing popularity, the festival has strengthened Meghalaya’s image as a top destination for music tourism, cultural experiences, and nature-based travel in India.

The festival was inaugurated by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, who articulated the government’s  long-term vision to build Cherry Blossom Festival into one of the most defining cultural celebrations in India.

The statement adds that the festival started with the energetic performance of Canadian dancer and actress Nora Fatehi, setting the tone for the evening. The Irish rock band ‘The Script’ followed, thrilling the crowd with hits like Superheroes and a special moment with their frontman and a fan. Later, Jason Derulo, joined by Les Twins, lit up the stadium with music and synchronised LED wristbands, turning the audience into part of the show.

The statement adds that on Day 2, Danish pop group Aqua created a lively dance atmosphere, leading to a grand finale by Grammy winner Diplo, who energised the crowd with his electronic beats. This star-studded lineup made the festival a memorable celebration of music and culture.

According to the statement, thousands of fans, musicians and others united for a heartfelt tribute to the late music icon Zubeen Garg, an Assamese singer, who had died in mysterious circumstances in Singapore recently.

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The statement adds that the emotional rendition of his song Mayabini by artists Zublee Baruah, Prabin Borah, Priyanka Bharali, and Arupjyoti Baruah brought the stadium together in a powerful chorus, reflecting Garg’s enduring influence on Northeast music and culture. Beyond the main stage, the festival also featured the Japan Arena at Ward’s Lake, celebrating Japanese culture with art, workshops, culinary showcases, and performances by Meghalaya-born artist Amo Daring, highlighting the festival’s growing international connections and cultural richness.

According o the statement Meghalaya’s tourism sector is growing fast, with over 1.6 million visitors recorded in 2024, exceeding pre-pandemic numbers. Tourism now contributes 7.7 pc to the state’s economy, promoted by government initiatives like the CM Homestay Mission, the Prime Tourism Vehicle Scheme, and the Tourist Buddies programme. Meghalaya Tourism says that these efforts have made travel more accessible and community-driven, helping Meghalaya gain attention as a top nature and culture destination with over 300 tourist sites, thousands of waterfalls, India’s cleanest river, and unique living root bridges.

The statement adds that Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2025 marked more than just a music event it highlighted Meghalaya’s ambitions as a global cultural hub. Combining world-class performances, meaningful local tributes, and international cultural exchanges, the festival strengthened Meghalaya’s position on India’s cultural and tourism map, inspiring visitors, artists, and storytellers from across the country.

“This is one of the biggest festivals in the entire country. With your help, we will make it the biggest, the best and that is the target that we have. Festivals like these are truly important for our tourism sector. We will be working much harder in the future to ensure that our tourists get even better experience,” says Sangma.