Christmas in Shillong 2026
Lights across Police Bazar and Laitumkhrah, carols and midnight mass.
- When
- 24–25 Dec 2026
- Where
- Police Bazar, Laitumkhrah and the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians
- Dates
- Same every year
Meghalaya is mostly Christian, and Shillong celebrates Christmas in a big way: lights along Police Bazar and Laitumkhrah, carol singing and midnight mass at the cathedral.
Late December is also peak season — hotels and cabs book out and Police Bazar traffic is slow in the evenings.
Photos from past years
Scene from a Christmas procession in Shillong, Northeast India, December 2024 Scene from a Christmas procession in Shillong, Northeast India, December 2024 A mother and her kid in a Christmas procession in Shillong, Northeast India, December 2024 The Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, Shillong was built by the first Catholic missionaries to these hills in 1936
Tips for visitors
- Book stays and cabs early for 20 Dec–2 Jan.
- Many shops close on 25 December.
Going for Christmas in Shillong?
Rooms and cabs fill up on festival days. Tell us your dates and we'll plan the trip around it.
Also coming up
All events- 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.
