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{{Short description|Cultural festival in India}}
{{Orphan|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox music festival
| name = Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival
| logo = Cherry Blossom Logo.png
| logo_caption = Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival Logo
| image = Shillong-cherry-blossom-2023.jpg
| caption = Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival
| genre = [[Cultural]]
| location = [[Shillong]]
| country = [[India]]
| years_active = 2016-present
| attendance = 60,000+
| organised = [[Government of Meghalaya]], RockskiTickets
}}

'''Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival''' is an annual cultural event held in [[Shillong]], the capital city of [[Meghalaya|Meghalaya, India]]. Celebrated primarily in November, the festival coincides with the blooming of [[cherry blossom]]s, drawing comparisons to similar festivals in [[Japan]] and other regions known for this phenomenon.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cherry Blossom Festival in Shillong {{!}} Cherry Blossoms in Shillong |url=https://www.hotelpolotowers.com/blogs/cherry-blossom-festival-in-shillong.html |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=www.hotelpolotowers.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=O. T. |date=2023-11-07 |title=All About The Cherry Blossom Festival In Shillong |url=https://www.outlooktraveller.com/experiences/heritage/all-about-the-cherry-blossom-festival-in-shillong |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=Outlook Traveller |language=en}}</ref>

The festival has featured headliner lineups like [[Akon]], [[R3hab|R3HAB]], [[Jasleen Royal]], [[Kanika Kapoor]], [[Boney M.|Boney M]], [[The Great Society (band)|The Great Society]], [[Jonas Blue]], [[Ne-Yo]] and many more.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-09-10 |title=Boney M, Akon and SuperM's Lucas to headline Cherry Blossom Festival 2024 in Shillong |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/boney-m-akon-and-superms-lucas-to-headline-cherry-blossom-festival-2024-in-shillong/article68625595.ece |access-date=2024-10-05 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=PTI |title=Singers Ne-Yo, Ronan Keating to perform in Meghalaya's Cherry Blossom Festival |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/singers-ne-yo-ronan-keating-to-perform-in-meghalayas-cherry-blossom-festival-2770702 |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref>

== Overview ==
[[File:Cherry Blossom hostel rooms.jpeg|thumb|259x259px|Cherry Blossoms in Shillong]]
The festival typically spans 2–3 days, with each day featuring a diverse range of events, including a music festival that has gained significant attention for its international major lineup.<ref>{{Cite web |last=NEWS |first=NE NOW |date=2024-09-13 |title=Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival to be star-studded this Nov |url=https://nenow.in/entertainment/shillong-cherry-blossom-festival-to-be-star-studded-this-nov.html |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=NORTHEAST NOW |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tagat |first=Anurag |date=2024-09-09 |title=Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2024: Boney M, Akon, Lucas to Perform |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/boney-m-akon-r3hab-shillong-cherry-blossom-festival-2024-lineup/ |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=Rolling Stone India |language=en-US}}</ref> In addition to music performances, the festival offers fashion shows, cultural performances, food stalls, exhibitions, and art. Over the years, it has evolved into a vibrant platform that showcases local and international talent, promoting both artistic and cultural exchange.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kamei |first=Precious |date=2018-10-30 |title=Shillong Visit the Cherry Blossom Festival |url=https://www.outlooktraveller.com/explore/nature/shillong-cherry-blossom-festival |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=Outlook Traveller |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jakhmola |first=Anamika |date=2021-11-15 |title=Your Trip To Japan Can Wait Because India Is Having Its Own Cherry Blossom Festival This Year |url=https://traveltriangle.com/blog/cherry-blossom-festival-shillong/ |access-date=2024-10-05 |language=en-IN}}</ref> The event has seen over 50,000 attendees per event.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Network |first=Hub |date=2024-09-03 |title=Meghalaya prepares for Cherry Blossom Festival 2024 with international collaborations and star-studded lineup |url=https://hubnetwork.in/meghalaya-prepares-for-cherry-blossom-festival-2024-with-international-collaborations-and-star-studded-lineup/ |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=Hub News |language=en-US}}</ref>

== History ==
The Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival was first organized in 2016 as an initiative by the [[Government of Meghalaya]] to promote tourism in the region.<ref>{{Cite web |title=India's first Cherry Blossom Festival to be Celebrated in Shillong – GKToday |url=https://www.gktoday.in/indias-first-cherry-blossom-festival-to-be-celebrated-in-shillong/ |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=www.gktoday.in}}</ref> Led by Forest and Environment Minister [[Prestone Tynsong]], with support from the [[Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development]] (IBSD), The festival has expanded in both size and attendance over the years, gaining attention from the media for its floral displays and a wide variety of cultural events. It attracts visitors from different parts of India as well as international tourists.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-12-04 |title=Shillong Cherry Blossoms and The Festival around it |url=https://webguy.in/shillong-cherry-blossom-festival/ |access-date=2024-10-05 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Meghalaya gears up to host Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2023 |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/meghalaya-gears-up-to-host-shillong-cherry-blossom-festival-202320231114231725/ |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=ANI News |language=en}}</ref>

In 2022, The festival was cancelled due to the violence and killings in the West [[Karbi Anglong district|Karbi Anglong]] district of [[Assam]], which is close to the border with [[Meghalaya]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Shillong cancels Cherry Blossom Festival as well as all other festivals, know why |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel//shillong-cancels-cherry-blossom-festival-as-well-as-all-other-festivals-know-why/articleshow/95714719.cms |access-date=2024-10-05 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

=== Partnership with Japan ===
In 2024, Chief Minister [[Conrad Sangma|Conrad K Sangma]] announced the official partnership with [[Japan]] for the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival after the Japanese Ambassador visited the state in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=News |first=Northeast |date=2024-08-15 |title=Japan collaborates with Meghalaya govt for 'Cherry Blossom Festival' |url=https://nenews.in/meghalaya/japan-collaborates-with-meghalaya-govt-for-cherry-blossom-festival/12909/ |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=Northeast News - Northeast India news 24×7 |language=en-US}}</ref> The partnership introduced a Japan Zone at the festival, showcasing the country's diverse and rich culture.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reporter |date=2024-09-02 |title=Paul announces lineup for Cherry Blossom Festival |url=https://meghalayamonitor.com/paul-announces-lineup-for-cherry-blossom-festival/ |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=Meghalaya Monitor |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== International Expansion ===
In 2022, the festival held its first international event in [[Thailand]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival - Govt of Meghalaya |url=https://meghalaya.gov.in/sites/default/files/press_release/Shillong_Cherry_Blossom_Festival_2022_announce.pdf |website=Meghalaya Government}}</ref>

In 2024, The event won 2 awards at WOW Awards Asia 2022 for " Concert of the Year" & " Festival of the Year".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cherry Blossom Festival |url=https://utsav.gov.in/view-event/cherry-blossom-festival-1 |website=Utsav Gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Cherry Blossom Fest bags three awards {{!}} The Shillong Times |url=https://theshillongtimes.com/2022/08/23/cherry-blossom-fest-bags-three-awards/ |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=theshillongtimes.com|date=23 August 2022 }}</ref>

They announced their 2024 event to be held on November 15 for 2 days.

== References ==
<references />

[[Category:Music festivals in India]]
[[Category:Music festivals in Thailand]]

Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival - Revision history

MonteZaleski33: Creating Pg