Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2026: Nelly, Khalid, Galantis on Nov 20-21

The Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival returns on November 20 and 21 with a headline bill of international acts led by American rapper Nelly, singer Khalid and Swedish electronic duo Galantis, and a new music industry summit the day before.

The festival will be held at Madan Kurkalang in Bhoirymbong, in Ri-Bhoi district, according to India Today NE. Its 2026 theme is "Year of Generations".

Who is playing

The line-up was unveiled on October 27 at the Meghalayan Age Pavilion at Ward's Lake in Shillong, in the presence of Rosetta Mary Kurbah, Commissioner and Secretary to the Meghalaya government.

• November 20: Nelly headlines the opening day, with American pop-rock band Boys Like Girls and Indian singer Darshan Raval. Electronic act ALTEGO plays the closing party set.
• November 21: Khalid performs, and Galantis close the festival. Swae Lee and British singer Elliot James Reay are also on the bill.

Indian and regional names announced include Scribe, Bhayanak Maut, Gingerfeet, Jessie Lyngdoh, Da Minot, Mercy Is Dead, Napalmic and Chegim Durama, among many others.

A summit for local musicians

On November 19, the festival will host an International Music Summit in partnership with India International Music Week, Free Press Journal reported. It is meant to bring festival promoters and music industry figures from abroad face to face with artists from Meghalaya, with panel discussions, workshops and sessions involving the Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project. It is open to musicians and artists from across the state.

More than music

This year's edition adds Cherry Blossom FIT CHECK, a fashion and self-expression competition with total prize money of Rs 20 lakh. The announced attractions also include a mechanical bull ride, arm-wrestling, beatboxing, a producers' contest, cosplay, ziplining, eating contests and a Ferris wheel.

Track record

The festival, produced by Rockski EMG with backing from the state government, has brought a string of global acts to Meghalaya: Ne-Yo and Ronan Keating in 2023, Akon and Clean Bandit in 2024, and The Script, Jason Derulo, Tyga, Diplo and Aqua in 2025. It was named Music Festival of the Year at EEMAX Global in 2025.

The event is timed to the flowering of Himalayan cherry trees around Shillong in November. Tickets are being sold through Rockski Tickets, the festival's ticketing partner.