Jason Derulo, The Script, Nora Fatehi to headline Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2025

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 2, 2025

The Meghalaya government has confirmed that international artists Jason Derulo and The Script, along with Indian performer Nora Fatehi, will headline this year’s Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival, scheduled for November 14 and 15 at JN Stadium, Polo Grounds.

Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh, while unveiling the Autumn Calendar 2025 on Tuesday, informed that last year’s edition of the Cherry Blossom Festival generated Rs 59.98 crore in returns against a government investment of Rs 5 crore. For this year, the tentative budget has been set at Rs 4 crore.

He said the festival venue will be pedestrian-only, with stalls and displays along the route leading to the stadium.

According to Lyngdoh, the state invested Rs 23.50 crore in different festivals and events last year, including the Cherry Blossom Festival, Me-gong Festival, and Shillong Literary Festival, generating an overall return of Rs 133.43 crore.

Other events in the Autumn Calendar include the Meghalaya Kayak Festival (October 14–18), the Ahor 4×4 Offroad Challenge (October 23–25), the Shillong Literary Festival (November 20–22), the Me-gong Festival (November 28–29), and Winter Tales (December 11–13).

The minister said that over 7,000 artists have performed under the Chief Minister’s JJM Programme, with some now invited to perform abroad, including in Singapore. He also highlighted tourism infrastructure projects such as five-star hotels coming up at Umiam and Sohra, a rain museum at Mawsynram, and the Mawmluh experiential cave.