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Ziro Festival of Music: dates and travel guide

The Ziro Festival of Music is a four-day outdoor music festival in the Ziro valley of Arunachal Pradesh, home of the Apatani people. It is held in late September. The 13th edition ran from 24 to 27 September 2026, and dates for 2027 had not been announced when this guide was updated.

Updated 3 November 2026

At a glance

Next edition
Usually late September. Dates for 2027 not yet announced.
2026 edition
24 to 27 September 2026, 11:30 am to 8 pm each day
Venue
Festival ground at Biiri, Ziro, Lower Subansiri district
Tickets in 2026
From Rs 3,700
Nearest airport
Lilabari, North Lakhimpur (Assam), about 100 to 120 km by road
Nearest railway
Naharlagun, near Itanagar, about 100 km by road
Permit
Inner Line Permit for Indian visitors; Protected Area Permit for foreign nationals
Apatani rice fields in the Ziro valley, Arunachal Pradesh
Apatani rice fields in the Ziro valley, Arunachal Pradesh. Photo: Kuntal Narayan Chaudhuri, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

About the festival

Bobby Hano and Anup Kutty started the festival, and it was first held in 2012. It is run with the Apatani community. The 2026 edition included the Daminda harvest dance, a presentation by the Apatani Women's Association of Ziro, and workshops on making the paddy flute (elu).

The 2026 line-up had more than 40 artists from India and abroad, among them Parikrama, Midival Punditz and Yohani.

The festival follows a zero-plastic policy. Bring a refillable bottle, avoid single-use plastic and use the sorting bins on the ground.

Getting to Ziro

Ziro has no airport or railway station of its own. Most visitors come through one of these:

  • Lilabari Airport at North Lakhimpur in Assam, about 100 to 120 km by road.
  • Naharlagun railway station, near Itanagar, about 100 km by road, with trains from Guwahati.
  • Itanagar, about 110 km by road.
  • Guwahati, which has far more flights and trains but is a full day's drive from Ziro.

The last part of every route is a hill road. Plan to arrive in daylight, and reach Ziro a day before the festival if you are driving from Guwahati.

Permits

Indian visitors from outside Arunachal Pradesh need an Inner Line Permit, which can be applied for online. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit. Carry printed copies, as permits are checked at the entry points into the state.

Planning tips

  • Late September can still be wet. Pack rain gear and shoes that can handle mud.
  • You can camp at the festival ground or stay in hotels and homestays in Ziro. Book either early.
  • Keep a few days for the valley: the Apatani villages and rice fields, the pine forests, Tarin fish farm and the Meghna cave temple.
  • Try local dishes made with bamboo shoot, and apong, the local fermented rice drink.

Sources

Road and permit rules change. We confirm the current position for your dates when you book.

Common questions

When is the Ziro Festival of Music?

It is held in late September each year. The 2026 edition ran from 24 to 27 September. Dates for 2027 had not been announced as of November 2026.

Where is the Ziro Festival held?

At the festival ground at Biiri in the Ziro valley, Lower Subansiri district, Arunachal Pradesh.

How do I reach Ziro for the festival?

Fly to Lilabari (North Lakhimpur) or take a train to Naharlagun near Itanagar, then drive about 100 to 120 km to Ziro. From Guwahati the drive takes most of a day.

Do I need a permit for the Ziro Festival?

Yes. Indian visitors from outside Arunachal Pradesh need an Inner Line Permit, which can be applied for online. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit.

How much are Ziro Festival tickets?

Tickets for the 2026 edition started at Rs 3,700. Prices for 2027 will be set by the organisers.

Can I camp at the Ziro Festival?

Yes. Camping is available at the festival ground, and Ziro also has hotels and homestays. Book either early.

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