Cherry Blossom Festival Returns to Shillong, to Feature Jason Derulo, The Script; LED Wristbands for Attendees to Add Fun to the Performances

Cherry Blossom 2025: Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh confirmed that the festival will be held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong.

The Cherry Blossom Festival is coming back to Shillong, the scenic hill capital of Meghalaya. The city is preparing to host one of India’s most anticipated cultural spectacles the Cherry Blossom Festival 2025  scheduled for November 14 and 15.

Headlining the event are international music superstars Jason Derulo, ranked among the top 10 male performers globally alongside the likes of Michael Jackson, and The Script, the UK-based chart-topping band regarded second only to Coldplay. Their performances are expected to draw massive crowds from across the country and beyond.

For the first time, synchronized LED wristbands will be distributed to all attendees, adding a stunning visual element to the musical performances. This year’s edition promises to be more vibrant, inclusive, and eco-conscious than ever before, blending global music icons with a uniquely local ethos.

While speaking to Northeast Live, Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh shared key insights into the festival’s highlights and economic outlook. “We’re excited to announce that for the first time, all attendees will be provided with synchronized LED wristbands to create an immersive, crowd-responsive musical experience,” he said.

A notable innovation this year is the introduction of a pedestrian-only zone, stretching from Hotel Pinewood to Wards Lake and up to Polo Grounds, where the festival venue, JN Stadium, is located. This move, as explained by the Minister, is not just a logistical adjustment but a conscious step toward encouraging walking as a way of life, enhancing sustainability, and easing congestion.

Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh confirmed that the festival will be held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, citing improved infrastructure, better accommodation facilities, and easier transportation access as the key reasons for relocating the venue.

“Shillong is already recognized as the music capital of the country. Hosting the festival here aligns with that identity,” Lyngdoh said while speaking to Northeast Live.

Tourism, Economy, and a Measured Boom

Meghalaya’s festival-focused tourism strategy is already reaping significant dividends. In the past year alone, the state invested Rs 23.5 crore in various cultural festivals, generating a remarkable Rs 133.42 crore in economic stimulus — a sixfold return on investment. According to Lyngdoh, the Cherry Blossom Festival is a major contributor to this momentum.

The 13 days of cultural events held last year drew 3.86 lakh attendees, bringing in Rs 29.1 crore from ticket sales, Rs 33.78 crore from hotel revenues, and Rs 37.1 crore from food, transportation, and local shopping. Shillong and Sohra both experienced full hotel occupancy, contributing 27% of the overall economic activity during the period.

The festival’s appeal extends far beyond the Northeast. Visitors included 1,762 tourists from Maharashtra and 224 from Odisha, with a total of 76,000 visitors accounting for 4.7% of Meghalaya’s annual tourist footfall in just under two weeks. Air travel saw a surge, with over 18,000 tourists flying in, generating Rs 16.8 crore in aviation revenue, while local cab services earned Rs 5.38 crore.

The ripple effect was equally evident in the digital landscape, with over 60,000 organic social media posts and 22 million reel views, amplifying the state’s visibility as a vibrant cultural destination.

Lyngdoh further said, “For every rupee spent on tickets, the broader economy earned an additional Rs 334  spanning hospitality, travel, dining, and shopping. It’s an inclusive ecosystem that benefits women-led home kitchens, artisans, and micro-enterprises.”

The Cherry Blossom Festival 2025 is more than just a celebration of blooms and beats it’s a strategic, community-driven initiative that fuses world-class entertainment with sustainable tourism and local empowerment. With meticulous planning, a stellar lineup, and a proven model of economic impact, Shillong is poised to host a festival that not only entertains but transforms.

It’s worth mentioning that the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2024, held on November 15 and 16 at the RBDSA Sports Complex, set a high bar with performances by international legends like Akon, Boney M. (featuring Maizie Williams), and Lucas (formerly of NCT and WayV), alongside popular Indian artists such as Jasleen Royal and Kanika Kapoor.

Adding to the city’s musical shows, Bryan Adams also performed in Shillong on December 10, 2024, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

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