Ziro Festival returns with four days of music in Arunachal Pradesh

Listening to live music surrounded by mist-covered mountains, a sky full of stars, and endless paddy fields. That’s what your four days at Ziro Festival would look like. India’s first eco-friendly music festival is set to transform the Ziro Valley of Arunachal Pradesh from 24th to 27th September this year into a scenic live music venue.

Powering on since 2012, Ziro’s become easily one of the coolest Indian music festivals. It supports local tribes and artists while also providing a platform for Indian and global indie talents. Unlike large LED screens and pyrotechnics, Ziro fest uses locally-sourced bamboo and wood to build stages, employing Apatani artisans of the locality for its infrastructure, and it follows a zero plastic policy too. 

More than just music

Expect socializing while listening to the live playlist (including jazz, hip-hop, electronic, and some experimental music), local Northeastern food, and a campfire experience. You’ll spend hours between the sets and that's the charm of Ziro Festival – blending live performances with local life, nature and striking conversations with new people.

The stay: Wake up inside a tent (camping remains the popular option), surrounded by a pine forest with a scenic hilly landscape view, sip locally brewed coffee, sample out regional cuisine and interact with the folks from the Apatani tribe.

Some important things to know

If you’re planning to attend the Ziro festival, you can book through two ways: the festival’s website and BookMyShow. Definitely ensure that you have an Inner Line Permit (ILP) if you’re an Indian and a Protected Area Permit if you’re from overseas. Check out the terms and conditions on their website while booking to avoid inconvenience ruining your festive mood.

There are separate packages for stay (mainly camping) and the festival tickets, available in single-day pass and four-day pass options. The camping options also include packing, which includes a to-and-fro from the nearest airport and railway station, so choose wisely.

How to reach? 

By air: The nearest airport is Itanagar/Holongi, around 100 kilometres away from the festival location.

By train: Naharlagun is the closest railway station providing shared taxis to Ziro Valley - three hours drive from the venue.

Details

When: September  24 to September  27

Where: Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh 

Tickets: On sale via the Ziro Festival website and BookMyShow