The Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2026 will be held on November 20-21 at a new permanent venue — the New Shillong Highland Grounds — with American stars Khalid, Swae Lee and Boys Like Girls announced as the first three international headliners.
Organisers said two more international headliners will be announced soon.
The festival is moving to New Shillong after a successful 2025 edition that featured Jason Derulo, The Script, Tyga, Diplo, Nora Fatehi and Aqua.
The Meghalaya government has allocated the New Shillong Highland Grounds as a permanent site for large-scale festivals and concerts.
Organisers said the venue, about 30 minutes from Shillong city, will offer better access for visitors from Jowai, Assam and neighbouring states.
The shift to the new venue had delayed this year’s line-up announcement due to extensive technical and logistical planning required for international touring artists.With the venue now finalised, the campaign will go into full swing, organisers said.
The new ground is being planned with multiple entry and exit points, parking facilities and a dedicated traffic management plan. The state government will put in place a comprehensive mobility plan to ensure smooth movement during the festival weekend.