Indie music · Arunachal Pradesh
Ziro Festival of Music 2026
India's most beloved outdoor indie festival, staged in the paddy fields of a UNESCO-tentative valley.
Ziro Festival of Music returns for its 13th edition in September 2026 — four days of Indian and international indie, folk and electronic music on bamboo stages built inside Apatani rice paddies, with the pine-clad Ziro Valley as backdrop. Camping under the stars, Apatani food stalls, o (rice-beer) and morning village walks make it the country's most distinctive music festival.
- Dates
- 24 – 27 September 2026
- Venue
- Ziro Valley festival ground (Apatani paddy fields)
- City
- Ziro Valley
- Status
- Announced
What to expect
Overview
- 4 days, 4 stages, 40+ Indian and international independent artists.
- Set inside the paddy fields of the Apatani cultural landscape — a UNESCO World Heritage tentative site.
- Full on-site camping village with bamboo-hut and tent options and a dedicated ‘Silent Stage’.
- Curated food & craft markets featuring Apatani, Nyishi and Adi cuisine.
- Daytime side programmes: village walks in Hong, Hari and Hija; paddy-cum-fish farm visits.
Context
History & significance
Founded in 2012 by Bobby Hano (Apatani community leader) and Menwhopause frontman Anup Kutty as a small paddy-field gig with 400 attendees.
By 2019 it had grown to 6,000+ visitors over four days and became India's benchmark outdoor indie festival, often compared to Fuji Rock's early years.
Past headliners include Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth), Guthrie Govan, Peter Cat Recording Co., Lee Ranaldo, Divine, Bombay Bicycle Club and Dream Nails.
Runs on a strict leave-no-trace ethic in partnership with the Apatani village councils, with proceeds supporting local heritage projects.
Getting there
How to reach
- Fly to Lilabari (IXI, North Lakhimpur) — 100 km / 4-hour drive to Ziro.
- Alternative: Guwahati (GAU) → overnight train / flight to Naharlagun (Itanagar) → 6-hour drive to Ziro.
- Shared Sumo taxis leave North Lakhimpur / Naharlagun early morning; festival shuttles run from Naharlagun on peak days.
- Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit (PAP); Indian nationals need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) — both easy to obtain online at eilp.arunachalilp.com.
While you're there
Nearby attractions
Apatani villages — Hong, Hari, Hija
Traditional bamboo-and-thatch houses, Myoko sacred groves, women with nose plugs (Yaping Hulo).
Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
Silver-fir forest 32 km from Ziro — day treks and birding.
Meghna Cave Temple
5,000-year-old Shiva cave shrine, 30 km from Ziro.
Kile Pakho Ridge
Sunset viewpoint over the entire Ziro plateau.
Dolo Mando
Short hike overlooking the festival grounds and paddy fields.
Accommodation
Where to stay
On-site festival camping
Tent + bamboo-hut village at the festival ground (₹2,000–₹6,000 for 4 nights).
Ngunu Ziro Homestay
Award-winning Apatani homestay in Hari village (₹3,500+ full board).
Siiro Resort
Comfortable rooms with valley views, 10 minutes from the festival ground (₹5,500+).
Blue Pine Hotel
Popular budget option in Hapoli (₹2,500+).
Abasa Homestay
Family-run stay in Old Ziro with Apatani home-cooking (₹3,000+).
Travel with us
Living Roots tour package
6 days / 5 nights
Ziro Festival of Music 2026 — Fully Guided 6-Day Tour
- PAP / ILP arranged in advance
- Guwahati or Lilabari airport pick-up and drop
- 4-day Ziro Festival on-site camping pass (bamboo hut)
- Guided walks in Hong, Hari and Hija Apatani villages
- All meals, transfers and a local Apatani guide
Camping tickets go fast — we reserve on your behalf and handle permits, transfers and Apatani village stays.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When is the Ziro Festival of Music 2026?
The 13th edition of the Ziro Festival of Music is scheduled for 24 – 27 September 2026 in Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh.
Where is the Ziro Festival held?
The festival is staged inside the Apatani paddy fields near Old Ziro, in the Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh — 100 km from Lilabari airport and about 160 km from Itanagar.
Do I need a permit for the Ziro Festival?
Yes. Indian nationals need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) and foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) for Arunachal Pradesh. Both can be arranged online or through a registered tour operator.
Can I camp at the Ziro Festival?
Yes. The festival runs a large on-site camping village with tent and bamboo-hut options, priced from ₹2,000 to ₹6,000 for the four days. Homestays in Hong, Hari and Hija Apatani villages are the other classic option.
Which artists have played the Ziro Festival?
Past headliners include Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth), Lee Ranaldo, Guthrie Govan, Peter Cat Recording Co., Bombay Bicycle Club, Dream Nails, Divine, Parekh & Singh and dozens of leading Northeast Indian bands.