Imagine indie music echoing through lush pine hills, Apatani bamboo stages setting a magical tone, and unplanned jam sessions under the stars. That’s the Ziro Music Festival celebrated in Ziro Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, which is situated at 5,500 feet above sea level. This is an annual four-day outdoor music fest created in 2012 by Anup Kutty and Bobby Hano. The festival celebrates local talent, new artists, and a lively mix of indie, folk, and electronic music from around the world.
In 2025, over 40 artists from across the world will perform, creating an atmosphere where music, nature, and culture meet in harmony. The Ziro Music festival will surely offer you an unforgettable adventure of music, travel, and community like never before.
Ziro Valley Festival Highlights
Dates: 25–28 September 2025
Ziro Valley ticket Price:
4-Day Festival Pass: ₹9,000
Day 1 (25 Sept): ₹3,100
Day 2 (26 Sept): ₹4,000
Day 3 (27 Sept): ₹4,000
Day 4 (28 Sept): ₹4,000
Timings: 10 AM to 10 PM
Artist Lineup: The official Ziro Music Festival 2025 artist lineup will have artists from India and around the world. Big names like Shilpa Rao, Chorun Mugli, Anna Erhard, Buried Treasures, Soumik Datta, Susheela Raman, Anna Erhard, Barmer Boys, Buried Treasures, Chorun Mugli, Chowraasta, Da Minot, Donn Bhat, Dualist Inquiry, Enfierce, Ford Trio, Gauley Bhai, Guitar Prasanna, Pandit Abhay Rustum Sopori, Pink Eye and more will be performing here.
Major Attraction of Ziro Festival: The festival is well known as eco-friendly festival and is famous for its local culture, cuisine, unique community experience, stunning location, Camping under the sky
How to Reach Ziro Valley
Getting to the Ziro Music Festival is an adventure in itself, and the journey feels almost as exciting as the destination. Tucked away in the heart of Ziro Valley, the festival may require some effort to reach, but every mile is worth it once you get to see the golden fields and get to hear the music echoing through the hills. Here’s the best ways to reach Ziro Valley:
By Air:
The easiest way to reach Ziro Valley is by air, frequent flights from Delhi, Kolkata, and Bangalore are easily available. From Guwahati Airport, you can take a taxi or board a train towards Itanagar or Naharlagun, from there you can take a taxi to Ziro. Lilabari (Likabali) and Tezpur are the other two nearest airports to Ziro, but these have limited flights and can be less reliable.
Nearest Station: Guwahati Airport, Lilabari airport, Tezpur airport
By Train:
Naharlagun Railway station is about 100 km away from Ziro. The train ride is comfortable, with both day and overnight options available. From the railway station it will take around 3-4 hours to reach Ziro Valley, with taxis and shared cabs waiting outside the station to take you straight to the festival grounds.
Nearest station: Naharlagun Railway Station
By Road:
For those who love scenic drives, an Itanagar to Ziro road trip or a longer drive from Guwahati is a great option. The Guwahati–Ziro stretch takes about 7–8 hours via NH27 and NH15, passing through tea gardens, forests, and charming little towns along the way.
If you want to opt for a shorter distance than Itanagar is for you. You will find shared taxis, sumos, and buses heading towards Ziro regularly. The changing landscapes from plains to rolling hills make it a memorable ride.
Accommodation options for Ziro Valley Festival
If you’re planning to attend the Ziro Music Festival 2025, finding the right accommodation is just as important as grabbing your Ziro Festival ticket. Therefore, let's know some of the accommodation options to stay during the Ziro Valley Music Festival.
1. Camping at Ziro Music Festival
Camping is the most popular option for festival-goers. Campsites are set up close to the festival grounds, giving you the chance to live right in the heart of the action. Camping offers you an opportunity to enjoy community meals and bonfires with other music lovers.
Popular Campsites options: Kite Manja, Camp Zingaros, Stay High Adventures, Encamp Adventures.
Price Range: ₹6,000 – ₹18,000, depending on package and duration.
2. Homestays
If you’d like to combine the Ziro Valley Festival with cultural immersion, staying in an Apatani homestay is the best way to go. The Apatani community is well known for its warmth and hospitality, and the homestays option will let you experience it from close. You can expect a simple wooden house, house cooked meal, rice beer and a glimpse of the village life.
Popular Homestays options: Ngunu Ziro, Dolo Mando Homestay
Price Range: ₹800 – ₹2,000 per night.
3. Hotels and Guesthouses
If you would like to prefer more comfort, then Ziro has a few hotels and guesthouses that have got you covered. You will get comfortable rooms, private bathrooms and a quiet place ideal for couples, families or anyone who wants to balance festival energy with personal space.
Popular Options: Ziro Valley Resort, Ziro Palace Inn, Hotel Blue Pine.
Price Range: ₹2,500 – ₹8,500 per night.
Things to Do in Ziro Festival
If you’re planning to attend the Ziro Music Festival, get ready for fun rather than just music. The festival will perfectly blend live performances, local culture, food, and the natural beauty of Ziro Valley. Here are the list of things to do in Ziro music festival:
1. Visit the Apatani Villages
There are various places to visit in Ziro Valley and one of the best things you can visit here is Apatani village. Walking through the Apatani villages, will offer you the view of homes made of bamboo, neatly kept fields, and a lifestyle close to nature. You can also meet locals there, who are very sweet and give a warm welcome and also share their traditional stories.
2. Stroll Through Golden Rice Fields
You can visit the Golden Rice fields, as in September there is the harvest season in Arunachal Pradesh, and the rice fields there glow in shades of gold. The Apatani also practice fish farming in these fields, which makes the landscape even more unique and beautiful.
3. Go for Short Hikes
Wake up early for a sunrise trek to spots like Kile Pakho Ridge or Dolo Mando Hill. From the top, you’ll get beautiful views of the valley, the forests, and the surrounding hills. It is a perfect way to balance the late-night music sessions.
4. Try Local Food
The festival gives you a chance to try Apatani food such as smoked meat, bamboo shoot dishes, and even silkworms for the adventurous. Wash it down with homemade rice wine, which you’ll find at both stalls and campsites.
5. Camp Under the Stars
One of the highlights of the Ziro Festival dates is the after-hours vibe. Music stops but the fun doesn’t end. People camp under the sky and gather around bonfires, strum guitars, and share their stories with each other offering an experience you’ll never forget.
7. Shop Local Souvenirs
Don’t miss to purchase bamboo handicrafts, tribal jewelry, and bottles of kiwi wine as a souvenir from here. Buying here supports local artisans and gives you memories from the trip.
Travel Tips, Permits & Packing Checklist for Ziro Festival
Indian nationals will need an Inner Line Permit (ILP), while the foreign visitors need a Protected Area Permit (PAP). Don't forget to keep the permits in advance, as it’s mandatory for visiting Arunachal Pradesh.
One can book tickets online through the festival website or BookMyShow.
It is advised to book your tickets early as they sell fast and even the price may increase.
Pack warm clothes along with you as nights get colder. Keep comfortable shoes, power bank, torch, toiletries, valid IDs with you as well.
Carry Cash with you as ATMs are limited.
Don't forget to carry mosquito repellent cream and rollon, a foldable chair,and a mat for the grounds.
Must pack essential first aid kit and personal medicines with you.
Stay hydrated
Respect local customs.
Conclusion
The Ziro Music Festival 2025 is not only an event, it is the full-on thrill experience where music, nature, and culture come together in a magical way. This year, this festival will be celebrated from 25th to 28th September that surely offers you unforgettable memories. From the eco-friendly vibe to the warm welcome by the locals, Ziro Valley leaves a mark that lingers long after the music ends. If you are planning to go, make sure to book your tickets early, sort out your stay, and get ready to soak in the music, explore the valley, and create moments you’ll cherish forever.
FAQs
Q: What are the Ziro festival dates 2025?
Ziro festival is a 4 day festival which is celebrated in Ziro valley, Arunachal Pradesh. Ziro festival dates in 2025 are from 25 September to 28 September 2025.
Q: How much is the Ziro festival ticket price?
The ticket price of the Ziro festival depends on the availability of the tickets. However the general price of the ticket for all 4 days is ₹9,000; single-day tickets are ₹3,000 (Day 1) and ₹4,000 (Days 2–4).
Q: How to reach Ziro Valley?
There are different ways of reaching Ziro valley for the Ziro festival. You can fly to Guwahati airport, take a train to Naharlagun or road travel to Itanagar and can also take a taxi or bus to Ziro valley.
Q: What to pack for the Ziro Music Festival?
Pack your bags with warm layers of clothes, comfy shoes, power bank, torch, toiletries, ID, cash, repellent, foldable seat, first aid kit.
Q: Are permits required?
Yes, it is important to get a permit to enter Arunachal Pradesh. For Indians Inner line permits are required, on the other hand for foreign visitors a protective area permit is required. These permits are available online.
