Festivals & events in Meghalaya coming up.
The year's festivals with dates as soon as they're announced. Until then we show when each one usually happens.
- Oct~Dates not announced yet·Smit, near Shillong
Nongkrem Dance Festival
Usually late October or November, over five days · The Hima Khyrim’s harvest thanksgiving, with the goat sacrifice ceremony and Khasi dances at Smit.
- Nov~Dates not announced yet·Near Tura, West Garo Hills
Wangala (100 Drums Festival)
Usually the second week of November · Preparations are underway at Garo Heritage Village in Chibragre for the 1000 Drums Wangala Festival in November.
- Nov12In 3 weeks·Ward’s Lake, Shillong
Shillong Literary Festival 2026
12–14 Nov · The Shillong Literary Festival 2026 is a three-day celebration of literature, ideas, storytelling, and creativity, set to take place in Shillong in November 2026.
- Nov20In about a month·New Shillong
Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival
20–21 Nov · The Cherry Blossom Festival 2026 is a two-day celebration of music, culture, food, art, and entertainment held during Meghalaya’s cherry blossom season in November.
- Dec4In 2 months·Tura, Garo Hills, Meghalaya
Me•Gong Festival 2026
4–5 Dec · The Me•Gong Festival is a two-day cultural and music festival held in Tura, Garo Hills, Meghalaya, celebrating the region’s rich heritage alongside contemporary music and entertainment.
- Dec17In 2 months·Ward’s Lake, Shillong
Winter Tales 2026
17–19 Dec · Winter Tales is an annual winter festival in Shillong that celebrates the rich creativity, culture, and traditions of Meghalaya.
- Dec24In 2 months·Shillong
Christmas in Shillong
24–25 Dec · Lights across Police Bazar and Laitumkhrah, carols and midnight mass.
- Feb~Dates not announced yet·Smit and Sohliya near Shillong, and Tura
Meghalaya Strawberry Festival
Usually late February to early March (dates change every year) · Farm visits and strawberry picking in the villages around Shillong.
- Apr~Dates not announced yet·Shillong
Shad Suk Mynsiem
Usually mid-April, over three days · The Khasi spring dance festival — “dance of the joyful hearts”.
- Jul~Dates not announced yet·Jowai, West Jaintia Hills
Behdienkhlam
Usually the first half of July, over four days · Jowai’s big monsoon festival, with giant decorated raths and the gathering at Aitnar.
- Oct~Dates not announced yet·Umtham, Ri-Bhoi (Umiam Lake)
Megha Kayak Fest
Usually mid-October · White-water and lake kayaking on Meghalaya Tourism’s autumn calendar.
How we keep dates right
Official calendar first
Meghalaya Tourism’s events calendar and the state government’s press releases, read 3× a day — then local papers, searched for each festival by name.
Confirmed, then posted
Dates go up when the government or two independent outlets report them. Anything less is checked by our team.
Usual dates until then
Before an announcement we show when the event usually happens, never a guessed date.
Planning a trip around a festival?
Hotels and cabs fill up on festival dates. Tell us the event and your dates and we'll plan the days around it.