GUWAHATI: The Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival is set to return this November, with the announcement of its first international performers adding to the anticipation around the annual music and cultural event.
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American R&B singer Khalid, rapper Swae Lee and pop-rock/pop-punk band Boys Like Girls have been announced as the first international acts for the 2026 edition, which will be held on November 20 and 21.
The festival will shift to the New Shillong Highland Grounds this year, a newly designated permanent venue for large-scale events in Meghalaya. The venue will host performances by international and Indian artistes, along with local music, food and cultural activities.
Khalid, known for tracks such as “Young, Dumb & Broke”, “Location” and “Better”, will be among the headline performers. Swae Lee, known for “Sunflower” from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and Boys Like Girls, known for songs including “The Great Escape” and “Thunder”, will also perform.
More international and Indian artistes are expected to be added to the lineup in the coming weeks.
The announcement comes after the 2025 edition, which featured international performers including Jason Derulo, The Script, Tyga, Diplo and Aqua. The festival has in recent years become a major fixture on Meghalaya’s cultural and tourism calendar, drawing visitors and music enthusiasts from different parts of the country.
Beyond its music lineup, the festival has also contributed to Meghalaya’s efforts to promote large-scale concerts as part of its “concert economy” initiative, with the government linking such events to tourism, employment and opportunities for local businesses.
With the first three international acts now confirmed, attention will turn to the remaining lineup as Shillong prepares for the two-day festival in November.