Why This Festival Belongs on Your Travel Bucket List If you’re looking for an unforgettable blend of nature, music and culture — then the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2025 in the hills of Shillong (Meghalaya) is just the event for you.
The festival is scheduled for 14 & 15 November 2025 in Shillong.
Unlike the cherry-blossom season in Japan, Shillong offers a unique autumn bloom of wild Himalayan cherry trees (Prunus cerasoides) in October–November, making this one of the rare autumn cherry-blossom spectacles in the world.
The festival isn’t just about flowers — it brings a world-class music lineup, cultural performances, food & craft stalls, art installations and the whole vibe of a hill-station party with a nature-backdrop.
Highlights from the line-up: Big international stars such as Jason Derulo and The Script are headlining.
In short: arrive for the pink petals, stay for the beats.
What to Expect at the Festival Two days of live music, international and local artists, on 14–15 November.
A setting where Shillong’s hills and cherry-trees form the scenic backdrop: spots like Ward’s Lake, the city’s parks, streets and manicured gardens will be in full bloom.
Food stalls serving regional Khasi/Meghalayan fare, local craft markets, traditional dance and contemporary culture all around.
A great time to explore the town: cool weather (dry season) in November means comfortable outings.
How to Plan Your Visit Getting there.
The nearest airport to Shillong is Umroi Airport (also known as Shillong Airport), approx 35 km from city centre.
Shillong does not have its own railway station; the closest major station is Guwahati Railway Station (~135 km away).
Where to stay & when to book.
Since the festival draws a large crowd, accommodation fills up quickly. Book your hotel/homestay well in advance.
Staying in or near Shillong city centre is best if you want easy access to the festival site and transport.
Consider a flexible stay: maybe arrive a day early to catch the cherry-tree bloom, rest up, and then hit the festival.
Sightseeing Beyond the Festival You’ll want to enjoy more than just the festival over your stay. Here are some top picks:
Enjoy the cherry-blossoms: walk around Ward’s Lake, stroll through the tree-flanked streets of Shillong, visit parks and viewpoints.
Explore attractions nearby: places like Elephant Falls, Mawlynnong (Asia’s cleanest village), other scenic spots in Meghalaya.
Take in local culture: craft markets (e.g., around Police Bazaar), enjoy Khasi food, seek out little cafes and music-bars.
Leave some daylight time free: festival evenings will be busy, so morning/afternoon are perfect for relaxed outings.
Car Rental in Shillong — Your Key to Freedom When it comes to truly making the most of your trip — and seamlessly blending the festival with sightseeing — renting a vehicle is a game-changer. Here’s why you should prioritise rent a car in Shillong and car rental in Shillong for your journey.
Why rent a car in Shillong?
Flexibility: With your own vehicle you can move between viewpoints, cherry-blossom locations, city and outskirts without waiting for public transport.
Comfort: Hilly terrain, unpredictable road access and the need to haul gear (festival clothes, camera, sunshine/cold layers) make a private vehicle far more convenient.
Timing: Festivals bring traffic. With your own car you can control timing — early morning tree-walks, midday check-in, festival-evening.
Full day-trips: Want to slip out of the city for a scenic drive, visit a waterfall, then return for the evening show? A car makes it seamless.
What to look for in “car rental in Shillong”
Choose a service offering vehicles suitable for hill terrain (good suspension, reliable brakes).
Confirm fuel policy, kilometre-limits, driver vs self-drive options.
Ensure it covers Permits / Tolls for the district, and ask about parking around festival venue.
Book early — during festival time demand will surge, and rates may escalate.
Read reviews: check for punctuality, local knowledge (driver knowing festival routes, alternative scenic routes).
Suggested plan using car rental.
Day 0 (arrival): Pick up your rental car in Shillong. Check in at your hotel. Explore Ward’s Lake in the evening under cherry-blossoms.
Day 1 (festival + local sightseeing): Morning drive to viewpoints or nearby hill-top. Afternoon rest and ready for festival at venue (with your car parked). Evening enjoy the concert.
Day 2 (day-trip outside city): Use your car to visit outer-areas — e.g., drive to Mawlynnong, enjoy nature, lunch, return for day-two festival shows.
Day 3 (departure / relaxed): Leisurely drive around Shillong, stop at craft markets, take photos of the pink-white blossoms, then drop off the car and head to airport/railway.
Pro Tips for Your Trip Pack layers: Even in November hills can be cool in early morning/evening.
Festival transport: While you’ll have a car, allow extra time for traffic near the venue on festival days.
Parking: Ask your car-rental provider about parking near venue; VIP / restricted zones may apply.
Photography gear: Cherry-blossoms + concert lights = photo magic. Bring camera + backup battery.
Respect nature & cleanliness: This festival celebrates natural bloom; help preserve the sites you visit.
Book your rent a car in Shillong early and ask about weekend/festival-surcharge.
Keep some cash handy; some stalls in hills may not accept card.
Give us a chance to make your trip comfortable & affordable. Call us: +91-94850-04706
You can visit us www.jairamtravels.com
