If a music festival is also an excuse to slow down and explore the hills, Ziro Festival offers both. Set in the Ziro Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, the four-day festival returns from September 24 to 27, 2026, bringing independent music, camping, workshops and outdoor activities to a landscape of rice fields, pine forests and Apatani villages.
For travellers planning a September getaway, the festival can be a starting point for discovering the valley rather than the only destination.
What is Ziro Festival?
Ziro Festival is a music-focused event that brings together independent artists from India and overseas. The 2026 programme covers genres including indie, rock, electronic, hip-hop and folk.
The announced lineup includes Michael Dias, Yohani, Owelle, Vedan, Kaali Duniya, Yelhomie, Talahib, Apoorva Krishna, NOVO, Midival Punditz, Saltaire and Parikrama. Musicians from several Northeastern states will also perform, alongside international acts from countries including Sri Lanka, Algeria, Ireland, Palestine, Nepal, Thailand and South Korea.
The festival will also feature secret sets, jams, late-night music and workshops centred on music, meditation and mindfulness.
Why travel to Ziro beyond the festival?
Ziro Valley has its own appeal away from the festival site. The landscape combines mountains, pine forests, villages and expansive rice fields, while the Apatani community remains closely connected to the region.
Travellers can visit nearby Apatani villages, explore the rice fields and pine forests, or make trips to Tarin Fish Farm and Meghna Cave Temple. Those looking for a longer outdoor excursion can plan a trek towards Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.
Local food is another part of the trip, with dishes featuring ingredients such as bamboo shoots. Visitors can also try Apong, a traditional fermented rice drink.
What makes the festival different?
Sustainability is built into the event. Ziro Festival follows a zero-plastic policy and uses bamboo, locally sourced wood and reclaimed wood across parts of its infrastructure. Apatani artisans are involved in constructing the festival site, while food is served on biodegradable Tamul plates and leaves.
The 2026 edition will also host the India chapter of Circuit Mixers, an artist residency connecting electronic musicians from South Africa, Switzerland and India through performances, workshops and collaborations.
How can you reach Ziro?
The nearest airport is Lilabari in Assam, around 100 km from Ziro. Naharlagun, near Itanagar, is the closest railway station. Road travel from Itanagar and other parts of Arunachal Pradesh is another option, with buses, shared taxis and private cabs available.
Travellers should also plan for the required permits: Indian visitors need an Inner Line Permit, while foreign travellers require a Protected Area Permit.