Ziro Festival of Music is an open-air annual music festival that takes place in the Ziro Valley in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. The festival is held every year since 2012 to promote independent musicians in India.

There are around 5 stages where performances by local as well as international artists take place throughout the day. Visitors can enjoy food stalls, various cultural activities and shopping booths in addition to listening to live music performances at this music gala.

The musical extravaganza is held over four days and hosted by the local Apatani Tribthe Ziro Valley. Ziro Festival of Music is a three-day music festival held in the picturesque town of Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh. The festival has been gaining popularity for its unique blend of local talent and international acts.

The event was initially conceived to promote art, culture, and tourism in this remote region but now it has become an important platform for the development of local artists.

Ziro Festival of Music 2023

The festival, which did not take place in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid situation. The festival dates for 2023 are from 29th September to 2nd October 2022 at this enchanting Ziro Valley.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR THE ZIRO FESTIVAL OF MUSIC 2023 HERE

History of Ziro Festival

The history behind this musical extravaganza dates back to 2012 when two men named Bobby Hano and Menwhopause guitarist Anup Kutty decided that they would organize an annual event showcasing local talent from the region as well as visiting artists from abroad who wanted to share their stories with others through music.

The festival has featured artists like Lee Ranaldo, Steve Shelley, Damo Suzuki, Shye Ben Tzur, MONO, Divine, Louw Majaw, Shaa’ir n Func, Indus Creed, Peter Cat Recording Co, Menwhopause, Guru Rewben Mashangva, and Barmer Boys among others.

Ziro Focus

ZIRO FOCUS stands as an exceptional global initiative jointly presented by the Ziro Festival of Music in India and Focus Wales in the United Kingdom. This remarkable endeavor encompasses captivating showcases and innovative artistic partnerships spanning the two nations. The British Council, in conjunction with the Arts Council of Wales, provides valuable support to this project, as it forms an integral part of the India/UK Together Season of Culture.

The India/UK Together Season of Culture serves as a year-round tribute to the enduring bond between India and the UK. Commemorating India’s 75th anniversary, this momentous occasion unfolds with an extensive array of creative collaborations, educational endeavors, and cultural exchanges taking place both online and within various cities in both nations.

Ziro Literary Festival

The Ziro Literary Festival is a vibrant celebration dedicated to the profound significance of reading, critical thinking, artistic creation, and the joy of sharing. This engaging event will take place at the esteemed Saint Claret College in Ziro, where it will unite esteemed award-winning writers, journalists, and artists alongside influential figures from the realms of politics and bureaucracy. Through their enlightening presence, festival attendees, including students, will have the extraordinary opportunity to glean wisdom from accomplished individuals representing diverse walks of life.

With its inclusive nature and free admission, this festival serves as a catalyst for intercultural exchange, meaningful dialogues, knowledge dissemination, and the nurturing of various skills. In keeping with the tradition of previous years, the upcoming edition of the festival places great emphasis on fostering creative expression. A series of outcome-oriented workshops have been thoughtfully curated to facilitate the realization of this objective.

Where does Ziro Festival of Music take place?

Ziro Festival of Music takes place in a small village called Ziro in the Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh. Ziro is a beautiful valley that has been carved out by the mighty Subansiri River, which runs through it like a giant snake.

Ziro Festival is known for being one of India’s most environmentally friendly festivals, with infrastructure made from locally sourced materials. The festival features two stages, Donyi (Sun) and Polo (Moon), built almost entirely of bamboo by local artisans. This is based on the animist Donyi Polo faith practiced by Arunachal Pradesh’s tribes. The festival has a zero-waste policy and encourages attendees to be responsible for leaving no waste behind.

Journey to Ziro Festival of Music

The journey to Ziro is equally beautiful and adventurous as the location. There are airports in Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh.

By Air

The closest international airport is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, Assam. The closest airport is in North Lakhimpur, Assam, about 140 kilometres away, and the second closest airport is in Dibrugarh, Assam, about 300 kilometres away from Ziro Valley.

By Rail

Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh is the closest railway station to the Ziro Festival. It is only three hours from Ziro and can be reached from Guwahati by overnight train. Shatabdi is an option, although it only runs three times a week.

By Road

Buses that travel directly to Ziro Valley depart from Guwahati, Itanagar, and North Lakhimpur. You can also arrange to take a taxi, which would take around 7 hours, from Guwahati to Ziro.

Formalities for the Ziro Festival of Music

Tickets for the Ziro Festival of Music can be purchased on the festival’s website.

Inner Line Permit: All non-Arunachali Indians require an Inner Line Permit. The ILP can be acquired either online or can be obtained from the Government Authorities of Arunachal Pradesh whose offices can be found in Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati, Shillong, Tezpur, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, and Lakhimpur.

Protected Area Permit: All foreign visitors to Arunachal Pradesh must obtain a PAP, or Protected Area Permit. This can be obtained from All Indian Missions abroad or the All Foreigners Regional Registration Officers (FRRO) in Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata, or from the Chief Immigration Officer in Chennai or the Home Ministry of the Government of India or the Home Commissioner of the Government of Arunachal Pradesh in Itanagar.

More information about ILP and PAP can be found here.

Where to stay

The festival organizers do not provide accommodations Guests can, however, book their accommodations through the festival’s website. Camping, homestays, and hotels are all popular places to stay. Homestay is recommended for guests who want to experience local culture.

You’re now ready for the most beautiful music festivals in India and the one-of-a-kind experience they provide. Don’t forget to have fun, meet new people, and make memories that will last a lifetime.