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Ziro Festival of Music

Nomadic Travel
Festival-goers in the meadows at the Ziro Festival of Music
© Arun Katiyar from Bangalore, India · CC BY-SA 2.0
Night-time stage lights at the Ziro Festival of Music
© Arun Katiyar from Bangalore, India · CC BY-SA 2.0
Colourful Ziro Festival of Music mural
© Arun Katiyar from Bangalore, India · CC BY-SA 2.0

Music Festival · Arunachal Pradesh

Ziro Festival of Music

India's most loved outdoor indie music festival, held in Ziro's rice fields every late September.

At a glance

Difficulty
Easy
Duration
4–5 days
Best season
Late September (four days)
Base
Hapoli (Ziro) (Lower Subansiri)
Permits
Arunachal ILP (Indians) or PAP (foreigners) required. Verify before travel. Festival ticket required.

About this experience

The Ziro Festival of Music, held in late September in the Ziro Valley, has become one of India's most beloved independent music festivals since it began in 2012. Its stage is set among pine-covered hills and golden rice fields, and the festival is known for an eclectic line-up of independent Indian and international artists, from rock and folk to electronic and experimental music, alongside performers from across the Northeast.

What sets Ziro apart is its spirit. The festival is organised with the local Apatani community, emphasises sustainability with bamboo stage structures and strict waste management, and limits numbers to keep the atmosphere intimate. Days start slowly with valley walks and village visits; music runs into the evening, followed by bonfires and camping.

Accommodation is limited and fills up months ahead, so festival camping and homestays are the main options. We arrange festival packages including ILP, transport from Guwahati or Itanagar, and stays, with optional Apatani village walks between sets. Dates and line-ups are announced each year by the organisers.

Where to do it

Tours with this activity

Ziro Festival of Music FAQs

When is the Ziro Festival of Music?

Usually over four days in late September; exact dates are announced by the organisers each year.

Where do people stay during the festival?

In the official festival campsite or local homestays, which book out months in advance.

Do I need an ILP for Ziro?

Yes, all Indian visitors need an Arunachal ILP; foreigners need a PAP.

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